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.
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Back to School Problem Solving Task Cards
Use this set of 20 task cards when teaching behaviour expectations during your back-to-school lessons.
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Design Your Own Procedure Anchor Chart Template
Design your own custom classroom procedure anchor charts with a customisable anchor chart template.
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Classroom Noise Monitor Poster
Remind your students of the appropriate noise level within the classroom with our noise monitor poster.
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Our Classroom Bee - Attitudes Rule Posters
Promote positive behaviour in the classroom with our Bee-Attitudes classroom display.
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Random Pair Generator Cards
Use these printable partner cards as a randomized pair generator when grouping students in the classroom.
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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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Growth Mindset Goal Sticker Chart (Captain Yet Version) – Template
Print a growth mindset sticker chart template for students to track the progress of their goals.
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Sample Behaviour Goals
Print a list of 20 ideas to use for behaviour goals in primary school.
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Science Safety Poster
Use this Science Safety Poster to outline the rules and expectations when conducting experiments.
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Retell Writing Activity - Classroom Routines and Procedures
Practise writing stories of characters who demonstrate a proper understanding of classroom expectations with this back to school retell writing activity.
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Out of this World Behaviour - Class Reward Chart
Motivate and reward positive classroom behaviour with a reward chart that is out of this world!
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Behaviour Reward System - Token Charts
Celebrate classroom successes with a set of fun-themed classroom reward charts.
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Slicing Up Good Choices! Class Reward Tracker
Encourage teamwork and positive behaviour in your classroom with a new pizza-themed classroom reward system.
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Classroom Store Kit
Set up a classroom economy and open your very own Classroom Store with a printable classroom store starter kit.
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Critters with Character - Classroom Behaviour System
Tame your ‘wild’ classroom behaviour 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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Callback Phrases List
Catch your students’ attention with a set of fun attention-grabbing callback phrases.
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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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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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Parent Information Night PowerPoint Template
Prepare for your parent information night with a customisable slideshow template.
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Task Initiation Bookmark – My Morning Routine
Ensure your students start off on the right foot with this morning routine checklist bookmark!
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Behaviour Punch Card – Right on Target!
Motivate your students to be on target with this printable punch card template.
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Try 3 Before Me Poster
Print a "3 before me" classroom poster to encourage students to try 3 things before asking for help.
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Back to School – Meet the Teacher PowerPoint Template
Use an editable slide deck during to foster communication during your 'Meet the Teacher' or 'Back-to-School Parent Information' event.
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I Can! I Can't ... Yet. – Handwriting Worksheet (Version 4)
A handwriting worksheet designed to help students goal set by reflecting on what they can and cannot do yet.
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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.
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The Magic of Independent Learning - Individual Posters
Individual posters with sequential stages to help students learn independently.
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The Magic of Independent Learning - Full Poster
Poster to help students learn independently in the classroom.
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Science Safety Poster Extended
Use this Science Safety Poster to outline the rules and expectations when conducting experiments.
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iPad Rules
A poster outlining the rules of use for the class iPads.
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Time To Eat – Lunch Procedures Mini Book
Teach your students appropriate lunch procedures with a printable Time to Eat Social Stories booklet.
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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.