Establishing classroom policies and procedures is crucial to providing a safe, organized, and welcoming learning environment. Teachers must think through how they want the classroom to run and students to behave in many different situations, from asking to go to the restroom to turning in papers. When done right, these decisions can lead to better classroom management.
It’s no wonder, then, that teachers often feel overwhelmed. And sometimes, students also panic when presented with such an exhaustive list of routines. However, this doesn’t have to be the case—learning classroom procedures can actually be fun! With a little bit of creativity, teachers can easily make this a more exciting and interactive process for students. Keep reading for 18 fun activities and games to enforce classroom rules.
Classroom rules: activities and games
1. Story writing
Ask students to write stories (in pairs or as independently), imagining pupils using proper classroom procedures. These can be creative and even a bit comical. Add an extra layer to this activity by having students share the stories with the whole class while comparing and contrasting the classroom procedures featured in their stories.
2. Charades
For this activity, you’ll put students into small groups and give them papers with different classroom scenarios written on them. They then have to act out the scenarios using the proper classroom procedures. Their classmates can guess which procedure is being demonstrated. Once a group guesses the correct answer, they act out the next given procedure.
3. Songwriting
Have groups of students describe a classroom procedure in song by writing their own lyrics. Creative choreography is also welcome! The students can perform their songs in front of their classmates. You can even record these on video and show them throughout the year when reminders are needed.
4. Picture taking
Invite students to take pictures of each other correctly performing classroom routines. You can then post these photos on your classroom wall or put them in a presentation to show to the class. (For younger grades, the teacher can photograph the students.)
5. Make a video
Have students make a video showing themselves modeling the proper classroom procedure for a particular scenario. Combine the clips to create a brief video about classroom behavior expectations. This can be helpful to show periodically throughout the year and whenever a new student joins the class.
6. Create an individual booklet
In this activity, each student can make a short booklet with a procedure described on each page. Just staple the pages of the booklet together, and students can keep it in their desks for reference.
7. Create a class book
Have students work in groups to create a page for a manual of your classroom procedures. Each page describes one process in detail. Assemble the completed pages into a book and read it to the class. Keep this book in an accessible place in the classroom for easy reference.
8. Drawing
Invite students to draw scenarios involving proper classroom procedures on posters that can be displayed in the classroom. You can even laminate the posters and place them in appropriate areas for students to see throughout the school year.
9. Find someone who . . .
Give students a paper with descriptions in various boxes such as, “Find someone who can explain what to do if you need to sharpen your pencil,” or “Find someone who can name the three things you have to do every day when you enter the classroom.” Students walk around the classroom talking to classmates and trying to find someone who can explain the chosen classroom procedure. If the student can explain it, they sign their name on their classmate’s paper and move on to another classmate. No student can sign another person’s paper more than once.
10. Two truths and a lie
Have students write two true statements and one false statement about a classroom procedure. Students then crumple the papers up like snowballs and toss them into a pile in the center of the room. Ask a student to pick up a “snowball,” read the three statements to the class, and guess which statements are true and which are false.
11. Procedure race
Have students practice procedures like turning in papers by racing each other. The students on each side of the classroom try to collect all their papers before the other side of the class. The teacher sets expectations about calmly and quietly passing up papers. Students then pass up their papers as quickly as possible while still remaining calm and quiet. The winning side can be the first to line up at the door at the end of class.
12. Scavenger hunt
Students follow clues about classroom procedures to find other clues and objects hidden around the room. Teachers can create instructions such as, “Find the place where you are supposed to turn in your papers. What color is the envelope sitting in this spot today? Write the color of the envelope on your scavenger hunt notes.” Once a team has completed the scavenger hunt, they will have walked through all the classroom procedures and answered some questions along the way.
13. Power writing
Ask students to write as much as they can in one minute about a particular classroom procedure. They can share these with a partner and then with the class in a think-pair-share format.
14. Expository writing
Have students write a how-to paragraph about the steps of a particular classroom routine. Combine the paragraphs together as a book or post them around the room for reference.
15. Venn diagram
Have students compare and contrast two different classroom procedures. They can illustrate this in a Venn diagram format.
16. Teach other students
As new students enter the classroom, have the current class show them the classroom procedures. This instructional activity will make the procedures more memorable for everyone involved.
17. Class presentation
Have students create a slide to explain a particular classroom procedure in detail. Combine the slides to make a whole-class presentation, where each group presents its slide.
18. Anchor charts
Students (or the teacher) can create anchor charts to outline the essential points of your most important classroom procedures.
Learning classroom policies and procedures is important (and fun!)
There are many fun ways to teach classroom rules and procedures. With a little creativity, practicing these routines can be an engaging part of any class. Students will remember your classroom expectations well if they’re having fun along the way.
This article was adapted from a blog post initially developed by the education technology company Classcraft, which was acquired by HMH in 2023. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.
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