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
Set clear expectations with a visual classroom expectations poster for the classroom.
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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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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!
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Classroom Rules and Expectations – Cut and Paste Worksheets
Start your year off right by reviewing classroom rules with a cut-and-paste, writing and drawing activity.
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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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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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I Need a Break - Choice Boards
Help upset students regulate their emotions in the classroom with our printable ‘I Need a Break!’ choice boards.
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Behavior Intervention Cheat Sheet
Keep a Behavior Intervention Cheat Sheet at your fingertips to help manage classroom behaviors quickly and easily.
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Printable Anti-Bullying Posters
Decorate your classroom and school during National Bullying Prevention Month with printable Anti-Bullying Posters!
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Classroom Rules Writing Prompt Pack
Teach classroom rules and procedures and review early writing skills with Classroom Rule Writing Worksheets for primary grades.
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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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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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Blurt Buttons - Classroom Management Strategy
Curb calling out in your classroom with the Blurt Button Classroom Management Strategy.
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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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Remember to Write Your Name Poster (Primary)
Make nameless student work a thing of the past with this poster 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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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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Student Speeding Ticket Templates
Urge your students to slow down and take their time on assignments by issuing them a printable ‘Speeding Ticket’ to encourage revisions.
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How Do I Get Home? Backpack Tags & Forms
Use printable backpack tags to organize student transportation at the end of the school day.
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Hall Pass Templates
Send your students down the hall in style with fun printable hall passes using our customizable hall pass templates.
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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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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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End of Day Checklist & Poster
Help your students remember end-of-day classroom procedures with a printable poster and packing-up checklist.
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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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Lining Up Mini-Book
Teach your students the proper way to line up with this printable mini-book.
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Playground Rules Mini-Book
Remind your students about playground rules with this printable mini-book.
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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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Classroom Hand Signal Anchor Charts
Strengthen classroom management and reduce classroom interruptions with miniature hand signal posters and bookmarks.
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Using School Supplies - Kindergarten Worksheets
Help your kindergarten students learn to use materials appropriately with printable classroom supply procedure worksheets.
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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.