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Classroom Rules and Class Expectations Examples

If you’re a teacher looking to create classroom rules and class expectations, then this post is for you. I’ll show you some examples of classroom expectations for preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle and high school. Feel free to copy the ones that work for you and use them in your class.

Why Are Classroom Expectations so Important?

Class expectations are important because they help students understand the behavior that is expected of them while they’re at school. Setting clear rules and expectations will also help them learn how they can be a successful, productive and responsible classmate. It also helps to provide a safe learning environment for the class.

Class Expectations Examples

Here are some classroom expectation examples that will work for any age of students. Feel free to copy the ideas you like.

• Respect each other and the teacher: Always treat your peers and teachers with kindness and understanding. This includes listening actively when someone is speaking, not interrupting, and fostering an inclusive environment.
• Come prepared to learn: Always to be ready to participate in class. This includes bringing all necessary materials and completing assigned homework.
• Listen and follow instructions: Pay attention during class and follow all directions provided by the teacher.
• Work Together: Always work together in a positive and supportive manner. This may involve group projects, partner activities, or in-class discussions.
• Stay on task: Remain focused during class time. This includes minimizing personal distractions and staying engaged during lectures, activities, and assignments.
• Maintain a clean and safe learning environment: Be responsible for your personal belongings. Clean up any messes and treat all equipment and materials with care.

Preschool Classroom Rules and Expectations

Preschoolers are developing social skills and are building their learning foundation. This is the time to set classroom expectations that will help them understand the correct way to behave and act at school. Below are some examples of preschool classroom expectations for these young learners.

Examples of Preschool Class Expectations

• Respect – Treat teachers, peers, and classroom materials with respect. Be gentle with your words and hands.
• Be a Good Listener Pay attention when teachers or classmates are speaking and follow directions given by your teachers.
• Participate – You all have something unique to contribute. Participate in activities and class discussion and express your thoughts and ideas.
• Share and Cooperate – In this preschool classroom we share materials and toys and work together.
• Have Self-control – You can show you have self-control by waiting your turn, using gentle hands, and using your words to express your feelings and needs.
• Be Responsible – Take responsibility for your belongings and help keep the class clean and organized. This includes cleaning up after activities and respecting shared spaces.
• Use Your Indoor Voice– In the classroom we use our indoor voices and don’t shout or yell.
• Use Your Walking Feet– In the classroom we walk at all times and not run so we can stay safe.
• Keep Your Hands and Feet to Yourself– No hitting or kicking others or touching anything that is not yours.
• Use Your Manners– Remember to wait your turn, say please and thank you and share.
• Be Kind– Always show kindness to teachers and classmates.
• Stay Seated– Stay in your seat when the class is working unless your teacher says it ok to move around.
• Raise Your Hand- Before you speak raise your hand and wait for the teacher to call on you.

Kindergarten Class Expectations

Kindergartens are new students to the school and are learning how to act in the classroom. Establishing clear classroom expectations will help promote a safe respectful and welcoming environment for these students to learn and grow. Below are some examples of kindergarten classroom expectations that you can use in your class.

Examples of Kindergarten Classroom Rules and Expectations

• Show Respect: Treat each other and teachers with respect. This includes listening when others speak, sharing, and offering help when needed.
• Be Kind: Treat each other and teachers with kindness at all times. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• Follow Directions: Follow directions given by teachers, such as completing tasks on time, staying in line, and raising your hands when you wish to speak.
• Be Responsible: Take care of your belongings, clean up after yourselves, and complete your assignments.
• Participate: Participate in class activities, such as listening, asking questions, and sharing ideas.
• Be Safe: Follow safety rules such as walking quietly in hallways, using materials and equipment safely, and keeping your hands to yourselves.
• Take Turns and Share- In this kindergarten classroom we share materials and toys and work together.
• Raise Your Hand- Before you speak raise your hand and wait for the teacher to call on you.
• Respect Personal Space of Others

Elementary School Class Expectations

Establishing clear classroom expectations is crucial for creating a positive learning environment in elementary schools. It helps students understand their responsibilities. Let’s take a look at some examples of classroom expectations that other teachers have used.

Examples of Elementary School Classroom Rules and Expectations

• Be an Active Listener: Listen attentively when others are speaking. You can do this by making eye contact with the person speaking and remaining silent while others are talking.
• Show Respect: Demonstrate respect for everyone in the class. Treat classmates, teachers, and school property with care and consideration. This includes being polite, kind, sharing and including others.
• Be a Responsible Learner: Begin and complete assignments on time. Keep track of your assignments and due dates, and organize your work.
• Participate: Engage in class activities and discussions. Contribute your ideas, ask questions, and work nicely with others.
• Come to School on Time– Arrive to school on time so you are ready to learn and participate and don’t miss anything.
• Be Prepared: Come to class prepared and ready to learn. This includes bringing textbooks, notebooks, writing utensils, and any materials needed as well as completed assignments.
• Follow Directions- Listen when your teacher is giving instructions
• Try Your Best- Your work does not have to be perfect but try your best at all times.
• Use Your Manners- In this classroom we say please, thank you, share, wait our turn and use kind words at all times.

Middle School Classroom Rules and Expectations

Middle school is an important time of change for students including navigating through switching between classrooms for the first time. It’s important to establish clear expectations of your middle school students at the beginning of the year. Check out some example below of expectations that have worked well for other teachers.

Examples of Middle School Class Expectations

1. Be prepared: Come to class with all necessary materials, homework completed, and be ready to participate in class discussions and activities.
2. Respect Others: Be kind and considerate towards your classmates and teachers. Respect other’s property. Do not touch or write on anything that does not belong to you. Any form of bullying or discrimination will not be tolerated.
3. Stay on task: Stay focused on the assigned tasks and what we are learning. Class time is not time to talk to friends, play on your phone or take a nap. Use class time to complete work and complete assignments when they are due.
4. Listen: Listen to the teacher and others when they are talking. Avoid interrupting and talking when the teacher is talking or other disruptive behavior.
5. Ask questions: Feel free to ask any questions. If you need to clarify something and ask a question chances are someone else has the same question. If you prefer you can wait until after class to ask me directly.
6. Follow Class Rules: Follow all classroom rules. This includes the time you are entering and leaving the class and transitioning between activities.
7. Take Responsibility for Your Actions: You are accountable for your behavior and actions. We all make mistakes, learn from them and apply those lessons moving forward.

High School Class Expectations

High schoolers know the school routine by now, but they still need to have expectations reinforced to create a productive and safe learning environment. Below see some examples of class expectations that other high school teachers use.

Classroom Behavior Expectations Examples

• Participation and Engagement: Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, ask questions, and engage in group activities. This helps create a dynamic and interactive classroom experience that promotes learning and growth.
• Respect and Courtesy: Students are expected to treat their peers, teachers, and staff with respect and courtesy. This includes listening when others are speaking, avoiding disruptive behaviors, and using appropriate language.
• Attendance and Punctuality: Students are expected to attend classes regularly and arrive on time to ensure they don’t miss important information. Missing classes or frequent tardiness not only affects individual learning but also disrupts the flow of the class and can negatively impact other students.
• Preparation and Organization: We expect students to come to class prepared with all necessary materials, such as textbooks, notebooks, and writing utensils. Additionally, students should keep track of assignments and due dates, and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Adherence to Policies and Procedures: We expect students to follow all school and classroom policies, including rules on dress code, cell phone usage, and academic integrity.
• Communication: We expect students to communicate openly and professionally with their teachers and classmates. This includes seeking clarification when needed, providing feedback, and expressing concerns or ideas in a respectful manner.

Class Expectation Printables

Class Rules Printables | Find Them Here

I created some printables if you want to make a pretty classroom rule and expectations display on a bulletin board or on a wall in your classroom. You can choose the ones that work for your classroom and print those and ignore the rest. These will work well for preschool through high school depending on which ones you choose.

You can find these on Etsy here.

Here are the classroom rules and expectations that are included:

• Use Your Manners
• Be Prepared & Ready to Learn
• Always Try Your Best
• Respect Each Other
• Never Give Up
• Always Be Kind
• Share with Each Other
• Ask Questions
• Be a Good Listener
• Stay Seated and Work Quietly
• Participate in Class
• Raise Your Hand to Speak
• Use Your Indoor Voice
• Follow Directions
• Use Walking Feet
• Follow Safety Rules
• Stay on Talk
• Keep Your Hands & Feet to Yourselves
• Take Care of Our Classroom
• Encourage Each Other

Setting Classroom Expectations with Students

It is a great idea to get your students buy-in with the rules and expectations and make sure that they understand them.

Here are some ideas to set class expectations with students:

• Have class discussions about appropriate behavior, rules and expectations.
• Read books that highlight positive actions and choices.
• Role-play scenarios to practice expected behaviors.
• Use Visual reminders, such as posters, signs and charts to reinforce expectations.

So now you should have some great examples of class expectations that you can copy or change to fit the needs of your classroom. If you gained some value with this post please share it!

Now that you have the rules and expectations down you might want to check out some new ideas for class rewards here…

41 Clever Rewards for the Classroom

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