Grades 1–5
Expectations Around the School
A matrix of six places outside the classroom, from the hallway and lunchroom to the bus line, with the voice, body and words for each.
Classroom management printable · Classroom rules and expectations
Voice Level Chart
A five-level voice chart from 0 silent to 4 outside, what each level sounds like and when to use it, with two lines for your own times.
- Grade level
- Grades K–5
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Classroom expectations, Safe and kind choices, Shared responsibility, Problem solving
What kids do
“Post this chart where everyone can see it. Point to a number before each activity so students know how loud to be.”
Printed on the sheet:
- It sounds like…
- No sound at all, like a library.
- Tests, fire drills and walking in the hallway.
- Only the person next to me can Partner reading and asking a hear.
- Only my group can hear me.
- Group work, centers and art time.
- The whole class can hear me clearly.
- Sharing, answering a question and reading aloud.
Teacher tip
Practice each voice level out loud, then point to the level before each activity.
How to use it
- Write the rules together in the first weeks of school so kids own them.
- Keep rules short and positive: say what to do, not what not to do.
- Slide it into a sheet protector and use a dry-erase marker to reuse it all year.
Watch for
Too many rules. Keep the list to three to five that cover most situations.
Talk about it
- What does following this rule look like?
- How can this help you be ready to learn?
Take it further
Make a class book or poster of the rules and post it where everyone can see it.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More classroom rules and expectations worksheets
Grades K–5
Classroom Procedures Planner
A planner for teaching routines step by step, from coming in and getting help to fire drills and packing up, with practice dates.
Grades 2–5
Spot the Unexpected Choices
A short lunchtime story to read like a detective: find Jake’s three unexpected choices, Priya’s expected ones and better choices for Jake.
Grades 1–3
Why Do We Have Rules?
A thinking page about why rules matter: rules in three places, what would happen with no rules, and a drawing of a rule that keeps us safe.
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