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:
- Raise your hand and wait to be called on rather than calling out.
- Do not interrupt classmates.
- Listen when classmates are speaking.
- Clean up any messes you make.
- No name-calling.
- Share classroom toys and supplies with your classmates.
- Try new things.
- Encourage your classmates.
- Do your best.
- Try hard things.
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Classroom Rules Writing Prompt Pack
Teach classroom rules and procedures and review early writing skills with Classroom Rule Writing Worksheets for early years.
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Tattle Monster - Tattle Telling Tissue Box Template
Create a 'tattle monster' out of a tissue box for your classroom using this cute template.
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Back to School – Meet the Teacher PowerPoint Template
Use an editable slide deck during to foster communication during your 'Meet the Teacher' or 'Back-to-School Parent Information' event.
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PRIDE Classroom Rules Poster Set
Display these classroom rules posters to encourage your students to take PRIDE in good behaviour.
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Classroom Expectations Posters
Display three of the most important classroom expectations with this set of posters.
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The Science of Independent Learning – Vertical Chart
A vertical tracking chart for students to reflect and follow their learning progress.
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Pirate Nup's Odyssey – Vertical Chart
A vertical tracking chart for students to reflect and follow their learning progress.
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Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down Expectations Sort
A sorting activity to teach or review classroom behaviours.
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I Can! I Can't ... Yet. – Handwriting Worksheet (Version 3)
A handwriting worksheet designed to help students goal set by reflecting on what they can and cannot do yet.
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I Can! I Can't ... Yet. – Handwriting Worksheet (Version 2)
A handwriting worksheet designed to help students goal set by reflecting on what they can and cannot do yet.
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I Can! I Can't ... Yet. – Handwriting Worksheet (Version 1)
A handwriting worksheet designed to help students goal set by reflecting on what they can and cannot do yet.
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Positive Self-Talk Bookmark
A bookmark with positive self-talk affirmations.
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Captain Yet Goal Tracker (Captain Yet Version) – Template
A Captain Yet template for students to track the progress of their goals.
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Growth Mindset Goal Sticker Chart (Captain Yet Version) – Template
Print a growth mindset sticker chart template for students to track the progress of their goals.
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Are We There Yet? — Growth Mindset Posters
Print thse large growth mindset posters to help students learn to work more resourcefully and independently in the classroom.
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Growth Mindset Captain Yet: Nup's Odyssey It's Not Over Yet – Large Posters
Large Captain Yet posters to help students learn more resourcefully and independently in the classroom.
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Captain Yet Upper Years Goal Achievement Log – Template
A Captain Yet template for students to track the progress of their goals.
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Captain Yet Goal Tracker (Pirate Nup Version) – Template
A Captain Yet template for students to track the progress of their goals.
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Captain Yet Goal Sticker Chart (Pirate Nup Version) – Template
A Captain Yet template for students to track the progress of their goals.
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I Can Listen Poster
A set of posters to scaffold appropriate behaviour for the students when listening in class.
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I Put My Hand Up to Speak Poster
A set of posters to scaffold appropriate behaviour for the students when speaking in class.
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10 Expectations for Virtual Learning – Poster
A poster showing 10 expectations for students during remote learning.
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Four Squares of Learning - A Getting to Know You Worksheet
A worksheet to use at the beginning of the year to determine students' expectations for the year.
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The Science of Independent Learning - Individual Posters
Individual posters with sequential stages to help students learn independently.
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The Magic of Independent Learning - Individual Posters
Individual posters with sequential stages to help students learn independently.
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The Science of Independent Learning - Banner
A banner for the The Science of Independent Learning posters.
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The Magic of Independent Learning - Banner
A banner for the The Magic of Independent Learning posters.
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The Science of Independent Learning — Printable Classroom Poster
Poster to help students learn independently in the classroom.
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The Magic of Independent Learning - Full Poster
Poster to help students learn independently in the classroom.
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Emotion Demotion - Brag Tags
Use these brag tags to encourage and celebrate positive social behaviour in the classroom.
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Science of Independent Learning - Brag Tags
Use these brag tags to encourage and celebrate positive independent behaviour in the classroom.
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Magic of Independent Learning - Brag Tags
Use these brag tags to encourage and celebrate positive independent behaviour in the classroom.