Grades 1–3
Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Responsible
Nine school choices to label safe, kind or responsible, like walking with scissors down or returning a library book, plus a drawing.
Classroom management printable · Classroom rules and expectations
What Should You Do?
Six real classroom problems, like a friend copying your work or a spill at lunch. Students write the expected choice and why.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Classroom expectations, Safe and kind choices, Shared responsibility, Problem solving
What kids do
“Read each problem. Write the expected choice, and the rule or expectation it follows.”
Printed on the sheet:
- 1. You finish your work early and the class is still working.
- 2. A classmate is sitting alone at lunch and looks sad.
- 3. You knock over a cup of water at the art table.
- 4. Your friend asks to copy your homework answers.
- 5. Someone in your group is not getting a turn to talk.
- 6. You need to sharpen your pencil while the teacher is talking.
Teacher tip
Act out each scenario in small groups and compare the choices groups come up with.
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.
- Print it on colored paper so kids and helpers can spot it quickly.
Watch for
Too many rules. Keep the list to three to five that cover most situations.
Talk about it
- How do rules help everyone learn?
- What is one thing that went well this week?
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
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.
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.
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.
Free for teachers
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