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Classroom Expectations

Elementary Classroom Expectations to Help You Have a Successful School Year - Teaching with Kaylee B

Definition: Statements that teachers post, model, and reinforce to describe how members of the classroom should interact to create a safer, productive, respectful, and inclusive environment.  

Handouts

Classroom Expectations (pdf)

Intervention Guide- Establishing Classroom Rules and Procedures (pdf)

Websites

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/

Videos

This 4-minute video, above, discusses five steps teachers can use to develop meaningful classroom rules and expectations.

This 2-minute video, above, is an example of how teachers can collaborate with students on how to set classroom expectations.

This 2-minute video, above, is an example of how to set classroom expectations with clear definitions.

Handouts

Classroom Expectations (pdf)

Intervention Guide- Establishing Classroom Rules and Procedures (pdf)

Websites

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/

Videos

This 2-minute video, above, is an example of how teachers can collaborate with students on how to set classroom expectations.

This 2-minute video, above, is an example of how to set classroom expectations with clear definitions.

Handouts

Bringing Classroom Rules to Life (pdf)

Websites

This website, from the Greater Good in Education, provides some useful ideas and activities for classroom expectations you can give to students.

This website provides some ways to make sure classroom rules support the development of a community.

This website details one teacher's shift in the mindset upon using a responsive classroom approach.

Videos

This 3-minute video, above, explains how learning about self-regulation and engaging children can help with following/understanding rules.

This 8-minute video on RTI is a great resource for guiding students on how to work independently and focus on skills-based learning. This involves inviting students to construct their own learning during center/pod learning with a teacher, and the “May Do’s and Must Do’s”. It is also a great way to help teachers not feel overwhelmed in the classroom.

Handouts

Bringing Classroom Rules to Life (pdf)

Websites

This website, from the Greater Good in Education, provides some useful ideas and activities for classroom expectations you can give to students.

This website provides some ways to make sure classroom rules support the development of a community.

This website details one teacher's shift in the mindset upon using a responsive classroom approach.

Videos

This 3-minute video, above, explains how learning about self-regulation and engaging children can help with following/understanding rules.

Websites

This website details how to support students reach their potential.

Videos

This 4-min video, above, is an example of why teacher support is integral.

This 3-min video, above, shows an activity that can demonstrate to students what it means to be treated fairly and that not every student should be receiving the same support for different needs.

This 6-min video is a read-along of the book "That's Not Fair" by Courtney Butorac. This book depicts the experience of a student that was experiencing frustration because multiple other students seemed to get unfair privileges and experiences that he did not have. His mother helped him realize that these students were given individualized supports because they had a specific need for each of the supports.

Websites

This website details how to support students reach their potential.

Videos

This 4-min video, above, is an example of why teacher support is integral.

This 3-min video, above, shows an activity that can demonstrate to students what it means to be treated fairly and that not every student should be receiving the same support for different needs.

This 6-min video is a read-along of the book "That's Not Fair" by Courtney Butorac. This book depicts the experience of a student that was experiencing frustration because multiple other students seemed to get unfair privileges and experiences that he did not have. His mother helped him realize that these students were given individualized supports because they had a specific need for each of the supports.

Handouts

Establishing Classroom Rules and Procedures (pdf)

Websites

This website provides some fun ways that a teacher uses to reinforce classroom rules and procedures.

Videos

This 3-minute video, above, provides examples of entry and exit procedures.

This 1-min, above, shows some examples of ways to reinforce expectations.

Handouts

Establishing Classroom Rules and Procedures (pdf)

Websites

This website provides some fun ways that a teacher uses to reinforce classroom rules and procedures.

Videos

This 3-minute video, above, provides examples of entry and exit procedures.

This 1-min, above, shows some examples of ways to reinforce expectations.

Handouts

Establishing Classroom Rules and Procedures (pdf)

Websites

This website highlights different ways to address violations of classroom expectation.

Videos

This 3-min video, above, provides strategies for resolving conflict.

Handouts

Establishing Classroom Rules and Procedures (pdf)

Websites

This website highlights different ways to address violations of classroom expectation.

Videos

This 3-min video, above, provides strategies for resolving conflict.

Handouts

Checklist for Organizing Your Classroom(pdf)

Videos

This 3-minute video, above, provides examples of entry and exit procedures.

Tips: 

  • Engage students in a developmentally appropriate discussion about how they want to create a safe and productive classroom environment. During this discussion, make sure all student voices are heard, highlight differing perspectives, gain consensus about top priorities and compromises that might be needed to create their collaborative vision of their classroom.
  • Review examples of behaviors that meet and do not meet the agreed upon expectations. Allow students to draw, take photos, or act out positive examples for practice and engagement. 
  • Discuss with students how they might collectively work to follow community expectations and what they will do if they see a particular behavior causing harm.
  • Discuss how different behaviors may meet or may not meet expectations and explain why. 
  • Have students sign a contract, classroom charter, or agreement to acknowledge that everyone agrees to the classroom expectations.
  • Engage in a developmentally appropriate discussion of the difference between intent and impact, acknowledging that (a) some behavior is not intended as disrespectful but might be perceived that way and (b) when behavior is hurtful (i.e., has a negative impact), class members should work to refrain from behaving in that way in the future.
  • If challenges arise throughout the year (e.g., you notice an increase in disrespectful behavior), hold a community circle to problem solve and adjust expectations, as needed. Through this process, teachers can consider how to ensure that students with different identities feel included and have a voice in the decisions.