Setting clear classroom expectations from day one is critical for creating a positive learning experience for little learners, and this year, we’re excited to share a Good Behavior Game with you! This game is a fantastic way to make that process engaging and memorable for your students. Instead of simply listing rules or having a discussion, this fun, interactive activity helps your students see and experience what good behavior looks like in the classroom.

You can use this good behavior game during your morning meeting, at the end of the day, or even as a quick movement break that doubles as a social-emotional learning (SEL) lesson.

How to Play The Good Behavior Game

Playing this charades-inspired Good Behavior Game is easy, engaging, and adaptable for any primary classroom. Here’s how it works:

1. Prepare your behavior cards. Each card features a scenario depicting a classroom behavior (e.g., “raising your hand,” “interrupting the teacher,” or “helping a friend”).
2. Choose a student volunteer to draw a card and silently act out the behavior—no talking allowed!
3. Have the class guess by raising their hands to tell what the behavior might be.
4. Discuss the action. Once guessed, have a quick class discussion:
   • Was this behavior appropriate or inappropriate?
   • How does it help or hurt our classroom community?
   • What should we do instead if the behavior isn’t okay?

You can play the game as a whole group or divide students into small teams to make it more fun.

Download and Print Your New Behavior Game