What are Classroom Rules?

What are Classroom Rules?

Many concepts keep a school in shipshape order. From hallway rules to parent-teacher conferences, these concepts are used to ensure that the learning environment you are sending your children to is safe, clean, and habitable for all students. And among all these concepts and requirements are the ever-vital classroom rules.

Classroom rules are a set of rules and guidelines that the teacher imposes that the class must follow. These rules are designed to assist the teacher in behavior management and ensure there is a positive environment for learning where all students feel comfortable and safe.

They are often drafted with input from the students so that everyone has a say on how they want everyone to behave in lessons. Classroom rules stand today as some of the most important parts of younger students’ education, so let's dive into some awesome ways we can create and utilize these rules together with this educational Teaching Wiki!

Why Use Classroom Rules?

Throughout history, we have known rules to be a source of confinement. A lot of games that may be more fun ruleless are instead almost focused solely on the existence of their rules. You can’t play football too aggressively, you can’t pick up a soccer ball with your hands– all these rules exist, but why? Well, that’s a simple answer! They exist to keep other people safe.

Classroom rules carry that same weight. Teachers craft these rules not only to make sure students stay engaged with their lessons but to also keep them safe from things that could harm them. Some children, especially if they are younger, may be inclined to climb on tall surfaces or play with dangerous objects like scissors. Teachers can establish classroom rules that prohibit climbing and using sharp objects without supervision.

Countless things can happen within a classroom. Ensuring that there are plenty of classroom rules to avoid danger, injuries, or distractions is important to keeping the peace among your students and parents alike.

Building Respect in the Classroom

Classroom rules depend on the respect of students towards their teacher and their classmates. Here are some strategies for building respect in the classroom:

1. To ensure children respect classroom rules, consistency is key. Set the rules on day one and don't change or remove restrictions as this means children are less likely to understand why the rules are in place, and less likely to respect them.
2. Come up with the rules together. Students will be more likely to agree with the rules laid out if they have a part in creating them! You don’t have to have your students create every rule with you, but letting them craft additional ideas will be helpful in the long run for getting them to remember those rules.
3. Decorate your classroom with posters that contain your rules! This can be created by hand or you can scroll down to discover some awesome classroom resources that can be edited and adjusted to decorate your class walls! Students with visual access to the rules will be more likely to remember them and avoid breaking them!
4. If children don't respect 'rules', why not change the vocabulary to make them seem less threatening? This can be as simple as suggesting students switch up some behaviors or even sneaking some prizes to them like candy or a pizza party if they continue to follow the rules without complaining. Some students just don’t like the word “rules” and that’s okay! Be open to them and allow them to voice their opinions to find an equal playing ground where you and your students can all be happy and safe using the established classroom rules.
5. Roleplay situations involving respect. This can be turned into a fun game that younger students can use to understand why these rules and respect are required for an optimal learning environment. Some good roleplaying situation you can do is having your students act as the teacher while you “break the rules”. Task them with making sure you also follow the rules and they will begin to understand the importance of the classroom rules!

Classroom Rules Examples

We all need some inspiration when creating our own rules. Don’t worry, we understand! Below is an example list of school rules that represents the kind of rules found in a classroom. Feel free to take these rules as is or use them as a basis for your own specific rules that will help make classroom time even more engaging for your students:

• Be on time at the beginning of the day and after lunch or recess.
• Keep your feet on the ground! No climbing on cabinets, tables, or chairs.
• Come prepared with stationery, books, and completed homework.
• Be kind and polite to others.
• Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
• Be respectful of classmates, teachers, and belongings.
• Listen to the teacher and follow instructions.
• Work hard and do your best.
• Raise your hand when you would like to speak in class or need the bathroom.

Breaking these school rules may result in disciplinary action, such as having to stay behind after school.

Classroom Rules for Students and Parents

When developing classroom rules for students, sometimes it's wise to keep parents in mind as well. Some parents may have thoughts or opinions on the established classroom rules or may even want to participate in creating them to allow their children to experience new concepts while learning.

You can always simply consider parent suggestions while developing rules, but whenever you have those parent-teacher conferences, consider including parents in the development of new rules to allow them to flex those parental muscles.

Certain parents’ rules may be vital to their child’s safety. A particular rule that could pop up is “no peanut butter/peanut snacks in the classroom”. This sort of rule is very important to help a student who may be allergic to peanuts avoid a bad allergic reaction. Next time you have a meeting with parents/your student’s teacher, consider offering suggestions and taking ideas to create a healthy and communicative classroom environment.

Classroom Rules Video for Kids

If you want to introduce some fun classroom rules to your younger students then check out this great sing-along video!

Classroom Rules Resources for Kids

Here at Twinkl, we have a variety of awesome resources like posters, worksheets, and presentations that you can use to organize and display your classroom rules to all of your students!

Classroom Rules Poster

Never have to worry about developing your classroom poster again with this awesome Classroom Rules Poster. Featuring three pre-written rules that should be included in every classroom and the space to add your own special rules. Laminate this poster for a long-lasting classroom decor piece and to allow you and your students to edit your special rules if they require some transformation over the years. This poster is beautifully illustrated, brightly colored, and one of the best classroom rules posters around!

Respecting Others in the Classroom Sorting Activity

Continue teaching your students to respect others and rules with this Respecting Others in the Classroom Sorting Activity. Your students will cut out the squares and sort them into the “Showing Respect” or “Not Showing Respect” sections. Once sorted, you can go through each image with your students and discuss why they ordered each picture as they did! This is a wonderful way to remind students to respect others and show them how respect looks through a visual medium.

Respecting Others in the Classroom PowerPoint Quiz

Continue your respecting others lessons with this Respecting Others in the Classroom PowerPoint Quiz. Go through each slide with your students and have them take this fun quiz to test their understanding of how to respect others. This PowerPoint is a great way to keep your students’ respect up, which will ensure they continue to follow their classroom rules!