Creating a set of classroom expectations for your students is more challenging than it seems at first. When I first started out teaching, I tried to stick to the same rules my own teachers had for me in high school. The thing is, kids today are not the same as they were back then. And there’s a lot of science and cultural understandings that show us that those old school “rules” like no chewing gum and don’t you dare be late are outdated and insensitive to the needs of our students. Yet not setting clear expectations is setting yourself up for a pretty miserable year.
Keeping this in mind, crafting your norms and expectations can seem daunting. That’s why I broke the process down into 5 simple steps for you! Read on for a guide to show you exactly how to shape your classroom expectations in a way that values your students as humans with a multitude of needs and experiences, and helps your classroom thrive.
1.Craft Classroom Expectations Thoughtfully
When you craft your expectations for students, remember that not every student can come to class with a pencil every day. That students might be absent for reasons beyond their control. That students have bad days too, and that we ALL need and deserve a little grace at times.
- Keep your expectations to 3-5 positively worded statements ( for more on this, check out my post on positive behavior expectations here).
- Make sure your expectations are things that you are willing and able to consistency address.
- Check with your grade level or content team to make sure your expectations align as a whole.
2. Make Classroom Expectations Accessible
Your expectations should be posted in multiple places So that students will encounter them regularly.
I post mine:
- Next to my door
- In the back of the classroom
- On the home page of my LMS
- On my daily slide deck
3. Teach Classroom Expectations to Students
Although we might have the perspective that “students should just know to stay quiet when others are speaking,” the truth is that they had a few years of inconsistent expectations during the pandemic. It will take a few years more to learn those habits. Also, if students don’t know clearly defined boundaries, they WILL test them – it’s teenage nature! In my classroom, we talk about what it looks like to have cell phones and headphones away, but more importantly, we discuss WHY that is an important expectation. Having an open conversation about your expectations will help students buy in to them just a little more.
Students these days are unwilling to accept the “because I’m your teacher and I said so” attitude ( nor should they), so as teachers we really need to make sure students understand the boundaries.
4. Reteach Classroom Expectations Regularly
Every Monday, I ask students to read the expectations aloud. It’s the only time I will cold call students because it’s low stakes and by the third week they can all pretty much recite them by heart. I reteach them after every long weekend and every break. Is it overkill? maybe. But it sure makes reinforcing these expectations a whole lot easier.
5. Enforce and Reinforce Consistently
Another opportunity to reteach expectations is when a student is not meeting that expectation.
If I see a student on his phone while we are working independently, I might quietly nudge him and say “Carlos, can you remind me of the expectation around cell phones?”
If I’m teaching to the whole class and notice something that needs addressing ( like writing on a desk) but I don’t want to shame the student, I might say “Let’s remember to treat our classroom with care by keeping our tables clean.”
Consequences
Of course, the flip side of expectations is consistent consequences. Align these with your school’s ladder of consequence, and be ready to follow through. If students receive lunch detention after multiple phone reminders, make sure you assign that detention, and call home or reach out to admin if students don’t follow through. It only takes one time for students to start to think you won’t hold them to your expectations.
Positive Reinforcement
When you notice students meeting your expectation, especially students who you have to remind, make sure to positively reinforce that behavior! It could be a quiet “Thank you” or a sticky note message, but make sure that you deliver authentic praise in the moment to encourage students to continue that behavior!
In conclusion
I hope this post helps you along your back-to-school journey in setting up and enforcing manageable classroom expectations for your students.
