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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Rules for School Mini-Book
Remind students about appropriate behaviors at school with this printable mini-book.
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Critters with Character - Classroom Behavior System
Tame your ‘wild’ classroom behavior with an animal-themed classroom management system.
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What Are Desk Pets? Introduction Slide Deck
Introduce your students to your Desk Pet Classroom Reward System with an engaging slide deck.
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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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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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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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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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G.R.O.U.P.S - Group Work Expectations Poster
Encourage cooperative behavior during group work activities with a printable group work mnemonic poster.
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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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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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P.R.I.D.E. Classroom Rules Poster Set
Set your expectations for classroom behavior at the beginning of a school year with a set of printable classroom rule 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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Rules Around Us Sorting Activity
Identify rules at home, in school, and around the community with a sorting activity.
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Classroom Expectations Posters
Display three of the most important classroom expectations with this set of posters.
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Number Talks - Hand Signal Poster Pack
Remind your students of the basic hand signals to use in number talks with this pack of 5 poster.
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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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Four Squares of Learning - Classroom Relationships Worksheet
Learn your students' expectations for the new school year with this first week of school activity.
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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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I Can Listen Poster
A poster to scaffold appropriate behavior for students when listening in class.
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Tap Light Posters – Voice Level
Create voice-level expectations in the classroom with this set of 5 posters.
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I Put My Hand Up to Speak Poster
A poster to scaffold appropriate behavior 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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Flexible Seating Expectation Mini-Posters
Provide expectations for using flexible seating in the classroom with printable anchor charts.
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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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Behavior Learning Ladder - Vertical Chart
Track your students behavior in the classroom with this set of 7 posters.
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Time To Eat – Lunch Procedures Mini Book
Teach your students appropriate cafeteria rules and procedures with a printable Time to Eat Social Stories booklet.
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Classroom Management Essentials Resource Pack
Ten classroom management resources that every teacher can use.
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Free Classroom Management Booster Pack
A free sample pack that includes classroom management resources.
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Personal Space – Social Story Video
This social story video reminds students to allow others to maintain some personal space.
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Keeping My Hands and Feet to Myself – Social Story Video
This social story video reminds students of the importance of keeping their hands and feet to themselves.
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17 Must-Try Classroom Routines for Elementary Teachers
Developing set classroom routines in elementary school helps to prevent distractions that waste time and interfere with learning.