How to Establish Classroom Expectations for a Great School Year

Over my many years of teaching, I’ve learned that setting up my classroom for success starts with clear expectations. It’s like building a strong foundation before building the rest of the house. This is key for a positive learning environment all year.

But where do you start with classroom expectations? 

During my first few years of teaching, my students argued and disrupted lessons a lot. I tried strict rules, but it got worse. Then, I decided to involve my students in setting expectations.

I asked my class, “What kind of classroom do you want this year?” 

They said they wanted a place where they were respected, could work together, and learn without distractions. We set expectations together to reach this goal.

This made our classroom run smoothly. Students took charge of their behavior and helped each other learn.

The key is finding the right balance between teacher expectations and student needs. By involving them, you make sure expectations are right and build a strong community. Trust me, it changes classroom management and makes learning positive.

Looking for a full breakdown of classroom systems? Read this guide to strategies for classroom management.

How to Come Up with Your Classroom Expectations

When thinking about your classroom expectations, imagine the middle of the school year. Think about how you want to see your students interact with you, with each other, and with the school as a whole. 

Expectations are about students’ general behavior and attitude. How do you want them to act toward each other and toward other adults? Meaningful expectations will give students guidelines to follow without boxing them in. 

Classroom Expectations vs. Classroom Rules – What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference between classroom expectations and classroom rules is key. Expectations are made with students, making them feel part of the learning environment. This is unlike just giving classroom rules, which might feel like you’re telling them what to do.

When students help make classroom expectations, they feel more connected. This builds a strong classroom community and clear rules. It also lets them share their thoughts and feel in charge of their actions.

Working together on classroom expectations improves the classroom for everyone. It also makes students more involved and helps them do well in school.

Choosing classroom expectations over strict classroom rules helps students take charge of their learning experience and strengthens the classroom community.

Examples of Classroom Expectations for Any Classroom

Setting clear classroom expectations is key to a successful learning space. Here are some classroom expectations that work in any elementary classroom.

• Be Respectful: This means respecting yourself, others, your teacher, and the classroom. You should raise your hand to speak, keep your hands and objects to yourself, and use kind words.
• Be Responsible: Responsible students manage their actions and learning well. This includes following directions, finishing tasks on time, and cleaning up after yourself.
• Be Ready: Being ready means having your books, notebooks, and pens ready. It also means being focused and engaged during lessons.

Here are some more examples of the differences between expectations and rules: 

Classroom Expectation	Rule
Be Respectful	Raise hand to speak Use kind words Listen to others Respect personal space
Be Responsible	Follow directions Complete assignments on time Take care of materials Clean up workspace
Be Ready	Bring necessary materials Be on time Focus on learning
Be Safe	Walk in the classroom Keep hands and feet to yourself Follow safety procedures Use equipment properly
Be Honest	Tell the truth Own up to mistakes Respect others’ property
Be Cooperative	Share materials Help classmates Participate in group activities
Be Positive	Use positive language Show enthusiasm for learning Encourage classmates

Focusing on respect, responsibility, and readiness can help you work with your students. Together, you can set clear behaviors that match these expectations. This teamwork helps everyone understand your classroom values. It also makes students feel they own their learning and are responsible for it.

How to Establish Classroom Expectations with Students

The key is to let students help create your classroom expectations with guidance from the teacher. We make a classroom community where everyone feels included by giving them a say in how it should be run.

I tend to do these lessons over a week.  We do a little bit each day, adding to our charts and forming our classroom expectations together. 

Involve Students in the Process

Start by talking with your students in groups. Ask them how they want their classroom to be, how they want to be treated, and what that looks like. 

Create an Anchor Chart to Brainstorm with Students

Make a big anchor chart to record students’ responses. This chart will help you brainstorm and organize the class agreement.

There are several different ways to do this. I like to use a web. In the center, put something like “My Ideal Classroom” or “What I Want My Classroom to Be Like.” 

Elicit suggestions from students.  Consider using some of the five senses, look, sound, feel, etc. You probably won’t get to taste, but you never know! 

Develop a Class Agreement

After talking and charting, make a class agreement with your students. This should include the rules and norms they came up with. It makes them feel more involved and connected to the classroom.

A class agreement is like a mission statement for your classroom. I write our class agreement on large chart paper, and we all sign it. I then take a photo of it and send it to parents so they are part of the process.  

As we encounter bumps in the road throughout the school year, we refer back to our class agreement.  We evaluate how we are meeting or not meeting this agreement and brainstorm changes we can make to better align with the agreement.  If necessary, we also revise the class agreement. 

How to Maintain High Expectations Throughout the School Year

Setting classroom expectations is just the start. Keeping high expectations all year is key. A good way to do this is by using rewards and positive feedback. Letting students vote on rewards makes them more motivated to meet our goals.

Focus on one Classroom Expectation for a Period of Time

One way to maintain the momentum of the beginning of the school year’s high expectations is to dive deep into one expectation per month.  Create an anchor chart about that class expectation or trait.  Brainstorm all the ways students can show it through their thoughts and behaviors.  Brainstorm ways that are counter to that expectation.  Then, praise and reward students who are exhibiting that specific trait. 

We did this on one of our expectations of being responsible. Look at this anchor chart we created and how we focused on it.

Reward Students for Maintaining or Exceeding Your Expectations

Students need feedback throughout the school year on how they are meeting the established expectations. Use verbal praise, whole-group rewards, and individual rewards throughout the day to communicate a job well done.

Read more about using rewards in the classroom. 

Creating high expectations with students doesn’t have to be hard. Involving them in the process and asking for their input will give them ownership and help you manage the class throughout the school year.