Classroom Rules and Expectations Teaching Resources

Ready to introduce your classroom rules and expectations? Or maybe your students could really use some practice to make sure they know what behaviour is expected in your room?

Set the refresh button on classroom management with printable classroom rules posters, games to help students learn classroom procedures, behaviour charades and more teaching resources created by the expert teachers at Teach Starter!

What Are Classroom Rules?

The name may seem self-explanatory to some, but there's no shame in wanting to learn more! Classroom rules are basic guidelines for students to follow, so they know what is expected of them when it comes to classroom behaviour.

A cornerstone of behaviour management and classroom management, rules may cover everything from what is acceptable in the classroom to procedures that should be followed.

Why Are Classroom Rules Important?

The exact rules in a classroom may vary based on your teaching philosophy, the age and abilities of your students, district rules and a whole lot more, but the basic premise is the same: Students need structure and order.

Well-defined rules that are implemented well and consistently enforced provide bumpers for students not unlike the bumpers in a bowling alley. Students can move around between them, but they're there to gently guide students back toward appropriate behaviour when they start to roll a little bit sideways.

What Are Some Good Classroom Rules?

Yes, we already mentioned that every teacher has different rules for the classroom — after all, what is considered acceptable behavioir by one teacher might set another teacher's teeth on edge. But there are some basic rules that can work in every classroom, or at least give you some ideas when you sit down to write your expectations out for your students.

Explore these options, and pick and choose the right ones for you:

1. Raise your hand and wait to be called on rather than calling out.
2. Do not interrupt classmates.
3. Listen when classmates are speaking.
4. Clean up any messes you make.
5. No name-calling.
6. Share classroom toys and supplies with your classmates.
7. Try new things.
8. Encourage your classmates.
9. Do your best.
10. Try hard things.