a Successful First Year of Teaching: Class Rules and Expectations in the Secondary Language Arts Classroom

Class rules and expectations are a crucial aspect of classroom management and can impact everything you do in your classroom for the rest of the year. That sounds really daunting, but it actually can be simple. In fact, the simpler, the better. So if you’re wondering what classroom rules and expectations you should have for your ELA classroom this year (and every year), let me give you the easiest solution.

The Power of Clear Guidelines

As a secondary language arts teacher, you understand that a structured and supportive environment is essential for fostering a love of learning and encouraging students to reach their full potential. Class rules and expectations serve as the backbone of this environment, providing students with a clear understanding of what is expected of them and creating a positive atmosphere for exploration and growth. It can be easy to fall into the trap of wanting students to like you, or wanting to give them “just one more chance”. This was hard for me to learn. I thought that if I enforced rules from day one students would think I was too harsh, or that I was there to be an authoritarian.

Let me save you time- not every student will like you. I knew that from day 1, but it doesn’t feel good when you just can’t connect with a student. Wavering in your rules & expectations can actually make that connection even harder. Students want consistency, predictability, and safety, whether they can (or will) communicate that or not.  When you stand firm in those rules & expectations you are being exactly that. Likewise, if students see you standing firm in your rules & expectations to everyone, they will see for themselves that you don’t play favorites.

Collaborate with Your Students

This can be individual preference, but I do not negotiate on classroom rules. I believe that classroom rules are created by me, the professional, to keep all students safe and learning all year long. They do not change from year to year, and my list is not long. At all. 

However, I recognize that the classroom is not only mine, but also my students. Involving your students in the class expectation-making process can be a powerful way to gain their buy-in. This can also foster a sense of ownership in the classroom. Hold a class discussion where students can share their thoughts on what expectations they believe will contribute to a positive learning environment. Brainstorm together and come to a consensus on the essential guidelines. This is what the discussion looks like for me every year:. 

• I hang posters around the room with open-ended questions such as:
  • I want my classroom to look like:
  • I want my classroom to feel like:
  • I want my teacher to support me by:
  • Peers should be good classmates by:
  • Our Classroom library should:
• I give students post-it notes or colorful markers and ask them to contribute to as many posters as they can for 10-15 minutes
• I give them 5 minutes to go around the room and read all posters
• We have a whole class discussion about what they noticed, what they liked or disliked, what was new to them
• As a class we create a clean, pretty list of class expectations that we want to hang in the front of the room all year long

Like this idea? Get your ready-to go posters & lessons here.

Classroom Rules for Students: Simple and Specific

When it comes to class rules, simplicity is key. Avoid overwhelming students with an extensive list of rules. Instead, focus on a few clear and specific guidelines that address behaviors and actions crucial for a productive classroom. For instance, “Respect yourself and others” and “Be prepared and on time” are simple yet powerful rules that cover a range of behaviors. If students see a long list of “You shouldn’ts” they will be discouraged & shut down. Likewise, how are you going to remember & enforce a giant list?! These are my simple, go-to rules year after year that receive no contest, because they work.

Rules & Expectations That Promote Positive Behavior

Rather than solely focusing on what students should not do, emphasize positive behaviors and actions as a part of your classroom norms. Encourage kindness, active participation, and respect for diverse perspectives. Positive reinforcement and acknowledgment of students who embody these behaviors can go a long way in creating a supportive classroom culture. This can look like positive words, affirmation cards (I love to hand these out to students!), or even stickers. You can buy a ton of on- trend stickers that teens love. Just make sure to edit out any before giving students the box! I have had a time or two where students have been looking through my fun box of stickers and I’ve had to take one with a beer image out. Ooops!

Discuss Consequences of not meeting rules & expectations

In addition to rules, discussing consequences for not following them is equally important. Be transparent about the consequences for different infractions, but also emphasize the importance of second chances and learning from mistakes. Strive to create an environment where students feel supported in their growth and development. We don’t want students to feel like they’re walking on eggshells around you. We just want them to know that every action has a consequence, especially in the pursuit of learning for all students.

Have consequences displayed under your rules, keep them equally short, and be ready to enforce them every. Single. Time. I had a hard time as a younger teacher coming up with consequences because it felt like such a parental thing to me. But I gained confidence and accepted that I was the professional in the room (read more on that here). That helped me to make consequences that worked for me and my teaching style. If you’re still struggling with creating consequences, I added them to my rules resources mentioned above!

Model Expected Behavior

As the teacher, you play a crucial role in setting the tone for the classroom. Model the behaviors and attitudes you expect from your students. Demonstrate respect, active listening, and a growth mindset in your interactions with students. Lead by example to inspire your students to follow suit. When you mess up, point it out to your students, and mention how you will go forward. And as mentioned above, hold everyone responsible for following the rules and expectations – not just certain students with consistent problematic behavior. Looking like you play favorites will not help build relationships with your students.

I think it is worth noting here also that as teachers we need to model expected behavior. Meaning, if we want students that are friendly, don’t gossip, participate in school activities, and just generally are pleasant to be around- then we have to show students how to do so.

Review and Reinforce Those Rules

Consistency is key to ensuring that class rules and expectations are effectively implemented. Regularly review the rules with your students to refresh their memory and reinforce the importance of following them. For me, this looks like teaching at the beginning of the year (direct instruction with a powerpoint) and reviewing after long breaks. This review is usually student-led as the rules & expectations are already displayed. As the school year progresses, address any challenges that arise and discuss ways to overcome them as a class. In the past I have taken pictures of my dirty, chip-bag laden classroom at the end of the day & made a presentation to prove to students that they were not upholding their own expectation of a clean and organized classroom. Petty? Yes. But it also shows students that I am holding them accountable to the expectations that THEY created for our room.

Final Thoughts On the importance of rules & expectations as a new ELA teacher

Establishing class rules and expectations is not merely about maintaining order; it’s about creating a supportive and nurturing environment where students can thrive. By involving your students in the process, emphasizing positivity, and modeling the behavior you expect, you can build a classroom culture that fosters respect, collaboration, and a genuine love for language arts.

Remember that flexibility and empathy are equally important. Each student brings their unique experiences and challenges to the classroom, and it’s essential to be understanding and responsive to their individual needs.

If you found these tips helpful, don’t forget to check out the freebie under the “Resources” tab on my blog. I would love to support you as we start a new school year! Feel free to connect with me on Instagram for more teaching tips and resources. Together, let’s create enriching and empowering English Language Arts classrooms where every student feels inspired to explore the power of words and literature.

I’m Glad You’re Here, 

Kameo