Classroom rules are much more than just a list on the wall; they are the foundation of a successful school year. Clear and consistent rules set the tone for how us want our classrooms to run. When students understand the boundaries and what is expected of them, they will not only know how to treat one another but also be more likely to stay engaged in learning.

Involve Students in the Rule-Making Process

An effective way to get kids to follow the rules is to have them create them with you. Research shows that collaborative rulemaking helps students have a sense of belonging, take ownership of the expectations, as well as have a greater respect for the rules since they helped to create them.

This doesn’t mean that students get to create all of the classroom rules themselves; it just means that you can guide the conversation in a way that will be beneficial to the class. Here are a few prompts to help you get started.

• What makes a classroom feel safe and welcoming?
• What behaviors get in the way of learning?
• How can we make sure everyone has a chance to learn?

As students brainstorm, write down all of their ideas, then, as a class, narrow them to the top 3-5. You will be surprised at how fair students are when it comes to making the rules.

Limit the Number of Rules You Have

suggests that people retain information more easily when it’s broken into smaller chunks, especially when it’s kept between three and five items. Think about how we memorize phone numbers; we typically memorize them in three or four digits because it makes them easier to recall. The same goes for classroom rules. Keep your list short, meaning no more than five rules at a time, and be sure to post these rules together so they are easier to remember.

Communicate Expectations Clearly

Classroom rules will not work if students don’t understand them. Take time to model each rule and show what it looks like. For example, if one of the rules is to respect others and their property, then show what that means: listening when others talk without interrupting, using kind words, sharing property, and not taking someone’s property without properly asking first.

Revisit these rules daily, especially during the first few weeks of school. Post the rules where all students can see and consider role-playing the rules to ensure students really grasp what is expected of them. The more consistent you are, the easier it is for students to remember them.

Connect Rules to Classroom Values

Consider tying your rules to values rather than giving students a list of dos and don’ts. This not only makes rules easier to remember, but it also helps to guide them into becoming caring and responsible people. Here are a few ways to frame your rules around bigger ideas, such as kindness and respect.

• Be kind and supportive
• Respect yourself and others
• Take responsibility for your actions

from the Start

Rules are not meant to control students (even though that’s what many students may think); they are meant to create a positive classroom environment. So instead of focusing on what students shouldn’t do, focus on what they should do. For example:

• Instead of saying, “Don’t talk when others are speaking,” say, “Listen while others are speaking.”
• Instead of saying, “No running in the classroom,” say, “Please walk safely in the classroom.”

Framing rules in a positive manner makes it easier to reinforce the behavior that you want to see.

Handle Rule-Breaking with Fairness and Empathy

Even when you collaborate with students on creating the rules, they will make mistakes and break the rules. How you respond in these moments will set the tone for the rest of the school year. Before reacting, ask yourself the following questions:

• Was this a one-time mistake, or have you seen this happen before?
• Does the student understand the rule?
• Is something else going on in the student’s life that may explain this behavior?

After you’ve asked yourself these questions, calmly address the situation by giving the student a chance to tell their side of the story. Once you’ve understood their perspective, you can work together to find a solution.

Be Consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to classroom rules. If you enforce a rule one day, then ignore it the next, you will be sending your students mixed messages. However, when you are consistent, it shows students that you mean what you say and that it applies to all students.

Reinforce Positive Behavior

Always acknowledge when you see that a student has followed a rule. A simple, “Thank you for raising your hand,” or “I appreciate you waiting to talk,” goes a long way. Some teachers like to use a class-wide system, like adding marbles to a jar or earning class points when the whole class demonstrates positive behavior. Others prefer a quick compliment or note sent home.

Whatever method of you choose doesn’t really matter; it’s the message that you send when you notice positive behavior. Students will feel recognized, which will help motivate them to keep making good choices.

Adjust Rules When Needed

Sometimes the rules will not work and need to be adjusted, and that’s okay. Don’t be afraid to refine your expectations. Just explain to students that changes need to be made because some of the rules are not working. This shows students that you are flexible and ensures that you are trying to keep the classroom culture strong.

Reinforce Rules All Year Long

Classroom rules need to stick around all year long, not just be something you set up at the beginning of the year and let fade into the background. Don’t just remind students of them when you start to notice them slipping. Remind students of your expectations every semester or when students are back after a long weekend or break.

Classroom rules set the stage for a positive, productive year. When you involve students in creating them and try and connect them to core values, you are creating a space where students feel respected and supported.

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Classroom Management

Classroom management is the set plan for a teacher to while teaching . Teachers can use simple rules selected by themselves prior to students entering the classroom or wait until the first day to collaborate with students to decide on the best rules for the class.

Rules should be simple and limited. Too many or too difficult rules will be easily forgotten and/or ignored by students. The rules should be visible in the classroom for students to reference when a reminder is needed. When rules are not followed, consequences may need to be set. On the other hand, positive rewards can be in place for individuals or whole-class rule following.

Once rules are set, the students will begin to sense the tone of the classroom culture. The next step is for the teacher to explain and practice classroom procedures. Similar to rules, procedures should be simple and easy for a student to follow. Classroom procedures must be outlined and generated by the teacher before the school’s first day and will start the minute a student enters the room.

The procedures can be listed each morning on the front dry erase board under a daily positive greeting, such a, “Good Morning.” Teachers refer to these daily messages as “Morning Message.” The morning message includes the simple steps needed for the students to accomplish before a day of learning can begin.

These multi-step messages create structure and routine for students. After the twentieth time the message is read by students, they will begin to habitually anticipate the morning routine in the classroom. When teachers start the message with a positive greeting and/or include classroom specific announcements, a positive tone and opportunity for building relationships between the teacher and students is fostered.

When morning and end of day procedures are explained and practiced daily, the students will develop personal responsibility as a student in the classroom. The students are now meeting the teacher’s expectations for their ability to learn in the classroom in an organized manner. These procedures are more than step-by-step tasks; they involve initiation, anticipation, and work ethic. Sometimes teachers may encourage the involvement of students’ suggestions when a new expectation arises and a procedure is needed.

Both classroom rules and procedures must be clearly explained, practiced regularly, and are only successful with consistency.

Talk to Fellow Teachers

A teacher’s peers are an invaluable resource. Teachers with various experience —first year, five years, or beyond — should take time to . An educator’s professional growth relies upon investigating other ideas to use for managing and instructing students. Many of the best ideas are those shared by other teachers.

When a teacher feels a loss of confidence, frustration, or a desire for inspiration, the support of fellow teachers is a great place to start. The teachers around us can offer inspiration or suggestions that can push fellow teachers to grow professionally.

Choose Logical Consequences

Consequences must be age appropriate and give an impactful reaction to the importance of following classroom rules.

Individual student consequences encourage individual student growth in comparison to whole class consequences. Consequences should not be made publicly or humiliate a student. Consequences are a teaching tool to promote students’ accountability for their choices and actions. Whole class consequences leave some students feeling unaffected or overly affected, and therefore learning and following classroom rules can be confusing and stressful. Consequences should make sense to students and encourage better decision making the next time.

Students can be positively acknowledged publicly only when making good choices. For example, helping one another or modeling excellent student behaviors are good reasons to be publicly acknowledged. Teachers can be creative with positive affirmations presented to students during a school day. A few positive reactions given by teachers could be accumulated over a period of time and turned in for one special treat or event.

A few positive class management ideas include:

1. Debts and Credits: A classroom economy system, allowing students to earn credits for positive behavior, and accepting debts for unfavorable actions in the classroom. Students participate in a once-a-month shopping activity when they can use their remaining credits to purchase items in the class store.
2. Raffle Tickets: Students earn raffle tickets for positive actions, and after a period of accumulation, students can exchange tickets for special privileges such as lunch with the teacher or student’s choice of seat location in the classroom.
3. Individual Incentive Sticker Charts: Students turn in charts once the chart is filled with stars for a visit to the treasure box.

Students in middle and high school thrive when genuine relationships between teachers are developed. When older students feel supported and respected by teachers, the need for consequences is not as necessary to achieve successful classroom management.

Focus on Respect

In an effort to ensure all students have an equal opportunity to learn in a classroom, it is important for teachers to among students. Teachers are hopeful that each student understands how to be respectful to others before arriving to the classroom.

A student’s prior understanding and sense of respect for others will only grow in the classroom. It is important for the students to understand, accept, and give respect in a classroom setting. Teachers take the student’s foundation of respect and build upon it by modeling respect to their students through growing relationships and treating all students fairly.

Work within District Guidelines

The school’s administration is responsible for creating a school and student handbook that are both pre-approved by the district before distributing to teachers and all other members of the school community. Teachers use these documents to guide the final decisions for classroom rules, procedures, consequences, and positive acknowledgments.

A teacher can learn from fellow teachers and rely upon district guidelines to help support the classroom management plan that will successfully create the best classroom culture for students to learn and develop appropriately. Once the best classroom management design is in place, the teacher must commit to consistency and maintaining appropriate consequences that positively affect the academic needs of the students. Lastly, the teacher’s personality must best suit the classroom management style for the rules, procedures, and all outcomes to be positive and effective.

*Updated March 2021

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