Kicking off the school year with a clear set of classroom rules and expectations sets the stage for a successful and enjoyable year ahead. It’s during those first exciting days that we lay the groundwork for a positive and productive learning environment. By establishing guidelines early on, we create a space where everyone feels respected, safe, and ready to engage in all the wonderful adventures that learning brings. Let’s dive into how to teach rules and expectations in ways that are both effective and fun!
Create 3-5 Classroom Rules
Developing rules is a fantastic way to foster a harmonious and effective learning environment. Creating a set of classroom rules together helps earn student buy-in. I like to have students share what rules they believe our class should abide by. Kids tend to share specific examples like “Raise your hand”. I compile all of their suggestions and then introduce the overarching rules (like some of the ones below). Then, we discuss how each of their suggestions connects with these expectations.
- Show Respect
- Be Kind
- Take Ownership
- Be Responsible
- Be Safe
- Be a Problem-solver
These straightforward guidelines help create a supportive atmosphere where everyone can thrive, making the classroom a place where students look forward to coming every day.
Explicitly Teach School Expectations
We as educators cannot assume students know how to follow our expectations unless we clearly teach what is acceptable behavior. I love to facilitate discussions about expectations utilizing books.
- Back-to-School Rules by Laurie Friedman and Teresa Murfin: This book had to be written by a teacher because it lists ALL of the things you should NOT do in school and it is SPOT ON! I smirked as I read it and thought “AMEN!!”. While that may sound a little negative, it is written in a fun way with rhyming and bright illustrations. We will use this book to develop our classroom expectations. We’ll start by taking all of the “don’ts” and turning them into “do’s”. Next, we will sort the “do’s” into the expectation categories. This will help students connect the relationship between rules and expectations. Then, we will agree upon on our class expectations.
- Tony Baloney: School Rules by Pam Munoz Ryan
- What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick and Colleen Madden
- Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
- Teach Your Dragon to Follow Instructions by Steve Herman
You can find the full lesson plan and all the materials for this book in my back-to-school rules and expectations resource.
Reviewing Routines and Procedures
Teaching procedures and routines in the elementary classroom are essential for creating a structured and efficient learning environment. By establishing clear expectations for daily activities, transitions, and classroom behavior, teachers help students understand what is expected of them, reducing uncertainty and fostering a sense of security. To ensure you cover EVERYTHING, this routines and procedures planning page can help you keep track! It’s included in this free back to school planning guide.
Consistent routines not only streamline classroom management, but also promote student independence and responsibility. For instance, starting the day with a morning routine can set a positive tone, while structured end-of-day procedures ensure a smooth transition home. Ultimately, well-taught procedures and routines enable more effective teaching and learning by minimizing disruptions and maximizing instructional time.
Implementing Logical Consequences
What Should Danny Do? by Ganit and Adir Levy is one of the most impactful books I’ve ever purchased–not just for my classroom but for my own kids too! What Should Danny Do? takes me back to those “Choose Your Own Adventure” Books. Except with Danny’s story, it teaches children about how their choices have logical consequences.
The lessons for teaching this concept are based on positive choices resulting in positive consequences and negative choices resulting in negative consequences. I think we often hear the word “consequence” and automatically, our mind goes to the negative. But, really, almost every choice we make has a consequence and it’s either a pleasant or unpleasant one. I firmly believe that we do not need to reward every behavior. Intrinsic rewards will suffice for most students.
Review and Reteach Expectations Often
Regularly reviewing and reteaching classroom expectations is crucial for maintaining a positive and productive learning environment. This practice helps reinforce desired behaviors, ensuring students remember and adhere to the established norms.
Behavior Stories are one of my favorite ways to reinforce and teach rules and expectations! Using tools like Behavior Stories can make this process engaging and effective. These stories provide relatable scenarios that help students understand the impact of their actions and internalize the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. By incorporating this resource into routine reviews, teachers can keep expectations fresh in students’ minds, promoting a consistent and respectful classroom culture.
Planning to teach rules and expectations doesn’t need to feel like a drag. There are plenty of ways to make it interactive and effective. Using books, fictional stories, real-life examples, and sorting activities help keep students engaged while you build a classroom that runs effectively and smoothly.
