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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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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Classroom Expectations - Behavioral Visual Support Posters & Flashcards
Set clear expectations with a visual classroom expectations poster for the classroom.
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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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Classroom Expectations Posters
Display three of the most important classroom expectations with this set of posters.
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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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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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Behavior Intervention Plan Template
Use our Behavior Intervention Plan template to monitor and track student behavior interventions and results.
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Sample Behavior Goals
Use this list of 20 behavior goals to help when creating your students' behavior trackers.
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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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Classroom Noise Monitor Poster
Remind your students of the appropriate noise level within the classroom with our noise monitor poster.
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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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Printable Three Before Me Classroom Poster
Print a "3 before me" classroom poster to encourage students to try 3 things before asking for help.
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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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Behavior Learning Ladder - Vertical Chart
Track your students behavior in the classroom with this set of 7 posters.
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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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Morning Routine Checklist Pack
Start your day right and promote independence with a morning routine checklist.
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Whole Body Listening – Poster and Worksheet
Use this poster and accompanying worksheet to teach your students about whole body listening.
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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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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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Good Choice or Bad Choice? Worksheet
Help your students differentiate between good and bad behavior choices with a cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Our Classroom Bee - Attitudes Rule Posters
Start the school year with a set of "Bee-utiful" Classroom Expectations Posters.
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I Can Follow the Rules at School – Mini-Book
Use this mini-book to review or introduce school and classroom rules to your primary students.
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Respect Self, Others, and the Environment Posters
Encourage your students to respect themselves, others, and the environment with this set of 4 classroom posters.
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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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Bathroom Rules Poster Pack
Reinforce expectations for behavior in the restroom with a printable Bathroom Rules Sign Pack.
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Oops…or Awesome? Good Behavior Game
Explore appropriate and inappropriate behaviors during the school year with a charades-inspired Good Behavior Game.
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Behavior Clip Chart
Manage classroom behavior in a visual way with a printable behavior clip chart.
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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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Remember to Write Your Name Posters
Make nameless student work a thing of the past with these posters reminding students to write their names on their work.
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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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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!