Teaching Behaviour Expectations With Card Games!

Use this sorting activity in your classroom at the beginning of the year and after long breaks to remind pupils how to behave respectfully, honestly, responsibly, and safely.

The resource includes:

• definitions of above-the-line, below-the-line, and bottom-line behaviours
• above-the-line behaviour cards
• below the line behaviour cards
• bottom-line behaviour cards
• editable cards (to add additional behaviours if you wish)

Ways to Use These Sorting Cards in the Classroom

Centre Activity to Reinforce Classroom Expectations

Place the 3 sorting headers in the centre of the playing area. Pupils split the deck equally between them. Pupils take turns placing one of the cards in their hands under the appropriate header. As they lay down their card, have them explain why they believe the card falls under that category. The game ends when all of the cards have been placed under the correct category.

Whole-Class Back-To-School Activity

Draw 3 circles on the board and place each category header inside of a circle. Randomly call on a pupil to come and draw a card from the deck. Have them read the card out loud to the class, place the card in the corresponding circle, and explain why they think the card belongs there. The rest of the class will give a thumbs up or down as to whether they agree with the decision.

Small-Group Lesson

Use in a small group as part of a social skills lesson.

🖨️ Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Classroom

This resource is available as a printable PDF and as an editable Google Slides resource file. To get your copy, click the dropdown arrow on the download button and select your preferred resource type.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher and Teach Starter collaborator.

More Resources to Teach Beginning-of-Year Behaviour Expectations

Don’t stop there! Make sure you check out these amazing resources to help you remind your pupils of appropriate behaviours at the beginning of the school year.

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