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.
- Free Plan
Classroom Procedure Activity - Do or Don't? Sort
Identify proper school and classroom procedures with this sorting activity.
- Plus Plan
Behaviour Charades
Explore appropriate and inappropriate behaviors at the beginning of a new school year with a fun charade activity.
- Plus Plan
Virtual Classroom Management - Interactive Reward Charts
Track and reward extraordinary class behaviour with a set of fun digital reward tracking slides.
- Plus Plan
Critters with Character - Classroom Behaviour System
Tame your ‘wild’ classroom behaviour with an animal-themed classroom management system.
- Plus Plan
Design Your Own Procedure Anchor Chart Template
Design your own custom classroom procedure anchor charts with a customisable anchor chart template.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Our Classroom Bee - Attitudes Rule Posters
Promote positive behaviour in the classroom with our Bee-Attitudes classroom display.
- Plus Plan
Positive Self-Talk Bookmark
A bookmark with positive self-talk affirmations.
- Plus Plan
Sample Behaviour Goals
Print a list of 20 ideas to use for behaviour goals in primary school.
- Plus Plan
Meet The Teacher Presentation Template
Introduce yourself and your classroom expectations to parents and students with a customisable Meet the Teacher Slideshow!
- Plus Plan
Hand Signals For Classroom Management
Strengthen classroom management and reduce classroom interruptions with miniature hand signal posters and bookmarks.
- Plus Plan
What are Desk Pets? Introduction Slide Deck
Introduce your students to your Desk Pet Classroom Reward System with an engaging slide deck.
- Plus Plan
Classroom Rules Writing Prompt Pack
Teach classroom rules and procedures and review early writing skills with Classroom Rule Writing Worksheets for early years.
- Plus Plan
Tattle Monster - Tattle Telling Tissue Box Template
Create a 'tattle monster' out of a tissue box for your classroom using this cute template.
- Plus Plan
Tap Light Posters – Voice Level
Create voice-level expectations in the classroom with this set of 5 posters.
- Plus Plan
Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down Expectations Sort
A sorting activity to teach or review classroom behaviours.
- Plus Plan
How Do I Get Home? Backpack Tags & Forms
Use printable bus and car rider tags for schools to organise the dismissal process at the end of the school day.
- Plus Plan
Classroom Store Kit
Set up a classroom economy and open your very own Classroom Store with a printable classroom store starter kit.
- Plus Plan
Desk Pet Application
Encourage students to boost their behaviour by implementing a Desk Pet Adoption Drive in your classroom, starting with an application!
- Free Plan
Callback Phrases List
Catch your students’ attention with a set of fun attention-grabbing callback phrases.
- Plus Plan
Classroom Noise Monitor Poster
Remind your students of the appropriate noise level within the classroom with our noise monitor poster.
- Plus Plan
Task Initiation Bookmark – My Morning Routine
Ensure your students start off on the right foot with this morning routine checklist bookmark!
- Free Plan
Behaviour Punch Card – Right on Target!
Motivate your students to be on target with this printable punch card template.
- Plus Plan
Try 3 Before Me Poster
Print a "3 before me" classroom poster to encourage students to try 3 things before asking for help.
- Plus Plan
Cooperation Station - SEL & Character Education Craft
Make your classroom a better “space” with cooperative learning and a fun Cooperation Station craft!
- Plus Plan
PRIDE Classroom Rules Poster Set
Display these classroom rules posters to encourage your students to take PRIDE in good behaviour.
- Plus Plan
Are We There Yet? Captain Yet's Joyous Journey – Poster
A Captain Yet poster to help students learn more resourcefully and independently in the classroom.
- Plus Plan
Captain Yet Goal Tracker (Pirate Nup Version) – Template
A Captain Yet template for students to track the progress of their goals.
- Plus Plan
Class Noise Display
A display to indicate the noise level that is appropriate.
- Plus Plan
I Need a Break - Choice Boards
Help upset students regulate their emotions in the classroom with our printable ‘I Need a Break!’ choice boards.
- Plus Plan
Out of this World Behaviour - Class Reward Chart
Motivate and reward positive classroom behaviour with a reward chart that is out of this world!
- Plus Plan
Behaviour Reward System - Token Charts
Celebrate classroom successes with a set of fun-themed classroom reward charts.