It is that time of year again! Teachers are readying themselves for returning to class. I am sharing with you the seriously cute classroom rule posters that I created for my classroom last year. They were one of the most popular downloads from missmernagh.com for 2012. I wonder if it will be the same this year?I have to say that they worked out really well and will be remaining in my classroom management plan for the coming year.  I have tried to cover all bases while keeping the number of rules to a small number.

I have used the term” she” in the final poster as it is applicable to me. If you would like a poster that says “he” drop me a email to info@missmernagh.com and I will create one especially for you!

Here is a quick refresher on some key points with regard to classroom rules:

•  There are two types of rules: positive and negative . Positive rules focus on what a pupil should do. The focus of these rules are to encourage pupils to adopt suitable and appropriate behaviours. Negative rules state what should not be done and their main focus is on misbehavior. Positive rules encourage use of positive interactions, while negative rules focus on punishment (Bicard, 2000)
  
• Classroom expectations must be clear, concise, and explicit so that students can understand them and how to behave in order to follow them (Quinn et al., 2000).
• An optimal number of rules is between 3-5.  (Bicard, 2000; Heins, 1996; McGinnis, Frederick, & Edwards, 1995; Short, Short & Blanton, 1994)
• Classroom rules should be stated in the “positive“, presented visuallyand consistently enforced.
• Classroom rules should focus on specific observable behaviors rather than nonspecific generalities (Kostewicz, Ruhl & Kubina Jr, 2008)

What do you think? Cute or what?! I still love them even after looking at them for a year. That NEVER happens. I always create new resources each year. Maybe you will love them too?!

Click here to download my Seriously Cute Classroom Rules Posters 

Are there any rules that I have missed out on? What are your classroom rules? Please share by leaving a comment. I am sure that we would all like to know!

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂