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 behavior is expected in your room?
Set the refresh button on classroom management with printable classroom rules posters, games to help students learn classroom procedures, behavior charades, and more teaching resources created by the expert teachers at Teach Starter!
Looking for some tips on creating classroom rules and teaching them to your students? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
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 behavior.
A cornerstone of behavior management and classroom management, rules may cover everything from what is acceptable in the classroom to procedures that should be followed.
How to Teach Classroom Rules So Students Remember Them
You're going to be spending a lot of time reminding your students about your classroom rules, and that's OK. The need for repetition is normal!
But how do you make the learning stick? Here are some ideas from our teacher team to teach classroom rules at the start of the school year:
- Have your students create posters that show kids following the various rules in your classroom.
- Have your students role-play forgetting the rules and then having a do-over moment.
- Lead classroom discussions about why rules are important. Talk about what to do if you feel impulsive or forget to bring your best self to class.
- Practice. Practice. Practice. For example, if you use call and response, practice it until they all get it right, and praise the class each time they respond to reinforce the positive behavior.
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 behavior when they start to roll a little bit sideways.
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Good Listener Anchor Charts
Use these anchor charts to teach your students how to be good listeners.
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How Are You Feeling Today? Chart
Help students to recognize and identify their feelings and emotions with this colorful 'How Are You Feeling Today?' Chart.
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Classroom Expectations - Behavioral Visual Support Posters
Set clear expectations with a visual classroom expectations poster for the classroom.
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Free iPad Rules Classroom Poster
Display this classroom poster to set the boundaries and rules around using school iPads in the classroom.
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Printable Anti-Bullying Posters
Decorate your classroom and school during National Bullying Prevention Month with printable Anti-Bullying Posters!
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Classroom Procedures Checklist
Determine and track which classroom procedures and routines you will teach at the beginning of the school year with a classroom procedures checklist and tracking sheet.
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I Can Listen Poster
A poster to scaffold appropriate behavior for students when listening in class.
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Classroom Hand Signals - Poster Collection
Strengthen classroom management and cut down on classroom interruptions with a set of classroom hand signal posters.
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Music Classroom Posters
Decorate, educate, and build classroom management with a set of printable Music Classroom Posters.
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THINK Strategy - Think Before You Speak Poster
Promote positive communication using the THINK strategy and our printable Think Before You Speak Poster.
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Teacher Waiting Room - Clip System
Calm classroom chaos when students need one-on-one help from the teacher with a printable Teacher Waiting List Clip System!
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I Need a Break - Choice Boards
Help upset students regulate their emotions in the classroom with our printable ‘I Need a Break!’ choice boards.
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Student Behavior Contract Template
Create a classroom community and ensure adherence to rules and procedures with a printable Student Behavior Contract Template.
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Free Google Slides Template for Teachers - Pink Spots
Prepare and instruct your students on day-to-day classroom happenings with a ‘Pretty in Pink’ Google Slides Template for teachers.
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Meet The Teacher Presentation Template
Introduce yourself and your classroom expectations to parents and students with a customizable Meet the Teacher Slideshow!
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End of Day Checklist & Poster
Help your students remember end-of-day classroom procedures with a printable poster and packing-up checklist.
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Keeping My Hands and Feet to Myself Mini-Book
Teach your students about the importance of keeping their hands and feet to themselves with this printable mini-book.
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Classroom Rules Worksheet Pack
Start your year off right by reviewing classroom rules with a cut-and-paste classroom rules worksheet.
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10 Expectations for Virtual Learning – Poster
A poster showing 10 expectations for students during remote learning.
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Classroom Noise Monitor Poster
Remind your students of the appropriate noise level within the classroom with our noise monitor poster.
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Hall Pass Templates
Send your students down the hall in style with fun printable hall passes using our customizable hall pass templates.
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Lining Up Mini-Book
Teach your students the proper way to line up with this printable mini-book.
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Playground Rules Mini-Book
Remind your students about playground rules with this printable mini-book.
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Rules in the Classroom Worksheet Pack (K-1)
Teach classroom rules and procedures and review early writing skills with a free Rules in the Classroom Worksheet pack for primary grades.
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We Are... – Classroom Expectation Posters
Set your new students up for success with this set of 11 classroom expectation posters.
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Just Be - Classroom Expectations Posters
Set clear classroom expectations and provide daily behavior reminders to your students with a set of colorful "Be-havior" posters.
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Rules Around Us Sorting Activity
Identify rules at home, in school, and around the community with a sorting activity.
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Rules for Classroom Technology - Lower Grades Posters
Remind primary students of the rules when using classroom technology.
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Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down Expectations Sort
Review appropriate classroom behaviors with this sorting activity.
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Technology Routines Poster
Display this set of classroom technology routines and expectations near your electronic devices for smoother usage sessions.
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Blurt Buttons - Classroom Management Strategy
Curb calling out in your classroom with the Blurt Button Classroom Management Strategy.
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Charades Inspired - Good Behavior Game
Explore appropriate and inappropriate behaviors during the school year with a charades-inspired Good Behavior Game.