Classroom Rules and Routines

Your classroom rules and routines should be designed to make your class a safe, happy, and positive environment for learning.

If your students know the classroom procedure from day one, they will have no trouble following it. Once your rules for classroom success are set, discussed, posted, and I would even say quizzed, rule breakers become obvious and easy to deal with.

Middle school aged children respect teachers who have boundaries and structure. While they may act like a chaotic classroom where they can sit wherever they want, shout out, and chew gum is “cool,” they actually will much happier when crossing through your door. Because you’ve set the tone with your classroom rules and routines, they always know what to expect.

In this type of classroom environment you’ll find that your students will end up apologizing for breaking classroom procedure because it will be so noticeable!

My Rules for Classroom Success

Once I hit upon the right list (which took a few tries) it’s stayed put.

1. Do not leave your seat without permission.
2. Once you enter the classroom you may not leave.
3. Raise your hand to speak.
4. No hallway passes FIRST or LAST 10 minutes of class.
5. Keep hands, feet, and all objects to yourself.
6. Blue or Black Ink Only. Pencil work will not be graded.
7. Give respect at all times and you will receive respect at all times.

You can see that some of these rules are tailored to my personal preference. As far as Language Arts teaching goes, I can’t stand to grade pencil! It smudges and erases easily and just becomes a total nightmare when reading 150 papers over a weekend!

My Classroom Procedure

Also, I am strict in my implementation of classroom procedure. It has always worked for me. Here is the difference - I am strict while giving compassion, care, and respect to my students. In return, I get the same thing back. And in the hallways - it’s fair game! They love it when I can get “down and dirty” on the latest episode of American Idol or the best new R&B hit with them!

Create the classroom rules and routines list that works for you and stick with it. Once your students know the rules for classroom success, they will live them. Enforce your rules through use of positive discipline in the classroom and you’ve mastered the first, toughest battle to being a new middle school teacher!

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