Classroom Rules Sample and Suggestion

Teacher Instructions

• Create a general list of classroom rules. After brainstorming your expectations,

look

for ways that you can combine ideas into a general rule. Check each rule for
clarity.

Delete any unnecessary words.

• Make sure your list of rules reflects your philosophy of education. For example,

research on student learning supports the benefits of students explaining their

work

to peers, so you might decide that you want students to be allowed to talk to
each

other under specific conditions. On the other hand, you determine that you want
full

attention when speaking to the class. You also want students to be quiet and in
their

seats during class discussions. You might decide on the following general rule:

Listen and stay seated when someone is speaking

• Phrase rules in the positive. For example:

• YES -- This is a beverage-free classroom.

• NO -- Do not bring beverages to class.

• Prepare your rules before the first day of school. Make a poster-sized list of the
rules,

numbering each rule for easy reference. Post the rules prominently in the front of
the

classroom.

• Give a copy of the rules to each student. Have students place the rules in their

notebooks for easy reference.

• Communicate rules to families. Send a list of the rules to families either before
or on

the first day of school.Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Classroom Rules Sample and Suggestion

Classroom Rules

1. Be in your assigned seat and

ready to work when the bell

rings.

2. Bring required books and

materials to every class, unless

told otherwise by the teacher.

3. Listen and stay seated when

someone is speaking.

4. Follow directions the first time

they are given.

5. Turn assignments in on time.

6. Treat everyone and their

property respectfully.

1. Expected behavior during class

A. As you enter the classroom (before the bell rings), you
will sit at your assigned seat and begin working on your bell
ringer. You will prepare yourself for the day’s work.
B. Tardies will not be accepted. Three tardies will result in a
first offense consequence. Each following tardy will bring
you to the next step on the consequence ladder.
C. The bathroom will be used before the beginning of class.
D. There will no extra credit given. You are expected to try
hard all year long not just when you are not doing well.
E. No late work will be accepted unless you are absent. In
the case of absences you will have three school days for
every day you were absent. It is your responsibility to ask for
your missed work.
F. All assignments will be turned in at the beginning of
class. After class starts the assignment can still be turned in
but ten points will be deducted. If the assignment is turned
in by the end of the day, fifteen points will be deducted
automatically. No papers will be accepted after the day the
 assignment is due.
G. I encourage you to ask questions. Questions are vital to learning. If you
have a question, do not hesitate to ask. You do need to wait until the
current speaker is finished speaking.

Following are some ideas for classroom rules that teachers can use as they create their own rules. Ideally you should keep classroom rules down to a
manageable limit of 3-8 rules.

1. Come to class on time. Standing outside the door and rushing in after the bell has begun to ring will constitute a tardy. You must be
INSIDE the door when it begins ringing to be counted on time.

Additional Resources: Creating an Effective Tardy Policy

2. Begin the warm up activity within one minute after the tardy bell. Directions will be on the projection screen or the board.
Please do not wait for me to remind you to begin since I need to take roll and attend to other duties for the first few minutes of the period.
When I begin class, directions for the warm up may be taken down, so don't delay.

Additional Resources: Using Daily Warm Ups

3. Attend to personal needs before coming to class. I have been instructed not to give passes to lockers and to limit passes, so
please do not ask for a pass unless you have a true emergency.

Additional Resources: Creating a Restroom Pass System

4. Remain in your assigned seat unless you have permission to get up . Throw scraps away at the end of the period on your way
out.

Additional Resources: Classroom Seating Charts

5. Do not eat candy or other food in class unless you have been given special permission. School sponsored sales will be
permitted during the last 5 minutes of class IF we are finished with the lesson and permission is granted. Be sure to ask first.

6. Bring required materials every day unless you are otherwise directed.

Additional Resources: More on Students and Classroom Materials

7. Talk only when permitted.Be aware of the situation since quiet talking is allowed in some situations and speaking to the entire group
without raising your hand may be allowed in others. I will remind you once and expect compliance.

8. Use polite speech and body language. Unkind teasing and impolite behavior is unacceptable.

9. Do not cheat. Students caught cheating will receive a zero and a phone call home. Both the student who shares his work for an
independent assignment AND the person who copies it will suffer the same consequences. I expect you to do your own work and to be sure no
one can copy it.

Additional Resources: How Students Cheat and How to Stop Them

10. Follow the teacher's directions immediately. Keep me happy and I'll do a better job for you