classroom presentation expectations

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Co-Creating Classroom Expectations

As educators, we've all experienced the challenge of bridging the gap between our classroom expectations and students' interpretations. During my early years of teaching, I wrote my classroom expectations on a sky blue poster with puffy white clouds in fine point Sharpie. Here's the thing: Even if I could get students to remember the rules, we didn't always see eye-to-eye. For example, one of my classroom rules was "be respectful," but I am fairly confident (like 99.99%) that my definition of respect didn't align with my students' interpretations. Cue me sharing how disappointed I was and preteens responding, "I was being respectful. It was just a joke."

This disconnect stems from assuming that students grasp the nuances of expected behaviors, not clearly communicating our goals with our learners, and not proactively reducing barriers to meeting those norms. Just as we embrace the tenets of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for academics, we must embrace them for creating and communicating classroom norms. So, how do we do that? Here are some tips!

Co-Creating Norms and Expectations

To truly engage students and make expectations authentic, involve them in the process. As Mirko Chardin wisely states, education can't be something "done to" students; they need to feel a genuine connection and involvement. Start by encouraging students to collaborate in small groups. Invite them to shape suggested rules or provide input on various aspects such as technology use, group work, and respect. Prompt meaningful discussions with questions like:

• How can technology enhance our learning experience while respecting potential distractions?
• What strategies can ensure equitable participation and collaboration within group projects?
• What does mutual respect look like in our classroom interactions, and how can we make everyone's opinions feel acknowledged and valued?

With valuable insights from your students, the next step is to synthesize their input into a set of comprehensive and meaningful classroom expectations. Summarize the key points discussed by each group and revise insights into positive expectations that resonate with school values. As you share revised expectations, it may be helpful to use the "fist to five" protocol.

• Fist (0): I don't agree or have concerns.
• One Finger (1): I'm unsure or have minor concerns.
• Two Fingers (2): I'm okay with this but have a suggestion.
• Three Fingers (3): I'm on board and think this is good.
• Four Fingers (4): I really like this idea.
• Five Fingers (5): I absolutely love this expectation.

If you use a "fist to five," everyone has a chance to provide feedback, and you can gauge the overall support for each expectation. If students have concerns, you can encourage them to share with the class or follow up to have a conversation privately or send an email. If you cannot incorporate student concerns, you can listen and explain why the proposed feedback would create barriers to learning and together, brainstorm potential solutions. 

Bring Expectations to Life

Once you have crafted clear classroom expectations, it's time to bring these norms to life through visual presentations that can be easily shared with students and families. E nhance your presentation by including short video clips or quotes where students share their insights on specific expectations. Their authentic perspectives will resonate with families and classmates, creating a deeper connection to the norms. Note: Before using student images or videos, ensure you have obtained explicit consent from parents or guardians! By incorporating student voices and videos (when you have permission!), you can make the expectations more impactful. Think about how fabulous Back to School Night would be if you could share the premiere of the classroom expectations video!  

And as with all things UDL, be sure that your presentation is accessible . Always be sure to include image descriptions, alt-text for images, transcripts, and captions on all video clips.

In the world of education, co-creating classroom expectations is a nuanced craft, requiring a balance of guidance and collaboration. I can literally see the sky blue poster adorned with fluffy clouds that once graced my classroom – a reminder of how even the most straightforward expectations can unveil diverse interpretations. Just as an artist refines their work, we too can refine our approach, embracing the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

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31 of the best class presentation tips for students

Katie September 20, 2022 communication , grades

By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed.

Giving class presentations is just part of the school experience. Some students dread presenting to their classmates, and others prefer class presentations to written assessments. If you’re new to this, or if you’re just looking for some ideas, I share my best class presentation tips for students in the post below. 

Class presentations often involve a visual component, and an audio and delivery component. The tips in this post are for class presentations that involve SLIDES, such as Google Slides or PowerPoint. Therefore, I break down the class presentation tips for students into the following categories:

• text and content
• Audio and delivery class presentation tips
• Bonus class presentation tips to up-level your game

Class presentation tips for VISUALS

The following tips will enhance the visual component of your school presentation. The strategies are further categorized by format, text, and images.

Class presentation tips for slide FORMAT 

The visual format of your presentation must be clear and easy to read.

1. Use a slide deck.

This class presentation tip is obvious, but I can’t leave it off the list. If you’re presenting to your fellow students, you will need some kind of visual representation of the information you’re delivering. Very rarely will you present to your class without slides. Google Slides and PowerPoint are the two primary products to make slides. 

2. Use the right number of slides.

Class presentations in high school and college will likely be 5 minutes or less. Follow your teacher’s guidelines, of course, but generally, students will use 1-2 slides per minute. (That would be 5-10 slides for a 5-minute presentation.)

3. Use an appropriate slide template and theme.

PowerPoint and Google Slides come with default slide templates (themes). Most of the default templates are suitable for class presentations, and so you should be fine choosing one of those. You can also find templates on the free version of Canva. I like slidesgo.com for free templates (it’s not sketchy – I’ve personally used it. I also like SlidesCarnival.com but you have to import the templates into Canva first, and then export them from Canva into Google Slides or PowerPoint. 

4. Use clear fonts.

Pick your font based on clarity, not creativity. Your audience should be able to read your text effortlessly and from the back of the classroom. Here are some rules:

• Avoid cursive / script fonts
• Avoid writing in all capital letters
• Avoid fonts that are entirely in italics (slanted)

5. Use a maximum of two fonts.

Stick to two fonts: one for headings and titles, and one for body text. More than two fonts make your slides hard to read.

6. Use 3-4 colors.

Stick to a basic color palette of no more than four colors. It’s fine to use images that are outside your color scheme, but besides images, avoid too many colors. Most default templates stick to four colors or less, so you’re safe if you use a pre-made template. 

7. Use high-contrast text-on-background combinations.

Your text needs to stand out from the background color. Black font on a white background or white font on a black background provides the highest contrast and best readability. This website here provides excellent information and examples about color combinations.

Class presentation tips for slide TEXT and CONTENT

8. start with a simple title slide..

Your teacher will likely require a title slide in the syllabus. Even if it’s not required, make one anyway. A title slide should be simple: the name of the presentation, your name, and a simple graphic or image. 

9. Include a roadmap slide.

A roadmap slide (I made up that term, but it works) is like a table of contents. It tells your classmates what they will learn from your presentation. Even if your presentation is only 6 slides long, a roadmap slide can be helpful. Below is an example. 

10. Include enough white space.

White space is the blank space that doesn’t contain text or images. White space is very important for readability. In the image below, you can see the impact white space has on readability. 

11. Use bullet points.

Whenever possible, use bullet points instead of complete sentences. Most slides should include no more than 5-6 bullet points. If you need to say more, continue the bullet points on another slide.

12. Leave some text off the slides.

Your slides should include minimal to moderate text that you will elaborate on during your class presentation. In other words, don’t cram the slides full of everything you want to share on the topic. The only exception to this rule is if you are not verbally presenting to the class, but are instead just sharing the slides with your classmates to view on their own.

13. Include examples.

Examples make most things clearer. When possible, include an example for all your main points. 

14. Include statistics and other quantitative information.

Use numbers in place of text when you can. Numbers and statistics can be easier for your audience to process. Example below:

• Instead of saying this: There is one-third as many Giant Pandas living in 2020 as there were in 2014.
• Say this: Giant Panda population in 2140 = 1864 | Giant Panda population in 2020 = 600 [ source ]

15. Include a summary slide

Consider adding a final summary slide to your class presentation. This is an excellent strategy because it will increase your audience’s understanding of your main points. The text on this slide should be in bullet-point format. The information on this slide might align with the information on your roadmap slide.

Class presentation tips for slide IMAGES

16. include an image or graphical element on each slide..

Every slide should have some kind of graphical element to complement the text. Some slides might even have an image and no text. (You would explain the image in your verbal presentation to the class.) Note: be sure to cite all images.

17. Use images / graphics for illustration and emphasis, not decoration .

Avoid using images for decoration. Images and graphics should do one of the following:

• Add something valuable to the text
• Illustrate the idea on the slide
• Represent the idea on the slide
• Emphasize an element of the slide (such as underlines, stars, etc.)

18. Resize and reformat images.

Resize images and graphics to fit the scale of your slide. It should be big enough to see clearly, but still allow for plenty of white space (Class Presentation Tip #10). You can remove the background of an image using a mobile app, or something like the paid version of Canva or PicMonkey. Again, be sure to cite your images.

19. Use video when appropriate.

If your presentation calls for it, include short video clips. Only use video if it adds value. 

20. Use icons for emphasis.

Use icons like stars, 3D shapes, speech bubbles, and arrows to emphasize important text. Keep these icons within your color scheme. You can find free icons within Google Slides and PowerPoint, or you can use Google Images or Canva.

21. Use graphs and charts.

Too much text is confusing. Too many images is boring. Solve this problem by using pie charts, bar graphs and other graphical ways of representing data.

Class presentation tips for SPEAKING

You might have the best slides in the class, but your presentation is not complete until you deliver it to your classmates. The following tips are for improving your audio and delivery.

22. Never read directly from the slides.

Use the slides as a reference, but don’t read word-for-word. How do you do this? First change to the next slide. Then look at it for cues. Next, speak directly to your classmates, making eye contact as your speak. It’s okay to glance back at the slide if you need to.

23. Face your audience.

Your body should always face the audience. Stand or sit either straight on, or at a 45-degree angle. Never have your body square to the presentation screen.

24. Explain the images.

When you present each slide, you should spend some time on the text and some time on the images. If your images add value (which they should), then this should be simple to do.

25. Speak slowly and clearly.

Speak slower than you naturally speak. Practice difficult words until they are smooth.

26. Use verbal transitions between topics.

When you change topics, use transition expressions such as “Next, we are going to look at …” or “Now, let’s move on to …”

27. Practice more than you want to.

Practicing your class presentation over and over improves your delivery and increases your confidence. Practice in front of the mirror, in front of others, or in front of your camera (to be watched later, of course).

Bonus class presentation tips for students: How to up-level your game 

The following bonus tips are for students looking to take their class presentations to the next level. Keep in mind that some of the ideas below are best suited for college and university students.

28. Provide a printed note-catcher.

An engaged audience is the best audience. To increase your classmates’ active focus, provide each student a printed note-catcher they can use to follow along with your presentation. PowerPoint and Google Slides both have features that enable you to print out your presentation with the slides on the left and space to take notes on the right. 

29. Ask questions and survey your classmates.

Another way to engage your audience is by asking them questions. You can build these questions into the slides themselves, or you can pause your presentation to ask questions before moving to a slide with the answers.

30. Use the Speaker Notes section .

The text on your slides should vary from the words you speak to your classmates during your presentation. Either you practice your presentation so much that you memorize it, or you use the Speaker Notes section on PowerPoint or Google Slides.

31. Open with a question, and close with an answer . 

A great class presentation tip for students is to open with a question you pose to your classmates at the beginning, and then close with the answer. You could put the question on its own opening slide and then close with another slide that re-poses the question and features the answer. 

For example, if you are presenting on Susan B. Anthony, your question could be Who was Susan B. Anthony? and the answer – which is the point of your presentation – could be Susan B. Anthony was one of America’s greatest champions for freedom and equality of women and slaves. College-level presentations would have more complex question-and-answer pairings than this example, but you get the idea.

Class presentation tips for students – summary notes

It’s important to follow your teacher’s requirements when creating your class presentation. Use these tips and strategies to maximize your grade, impression on the class, and your content delivery – but always consult your syllabus first. 

And finally, the greatest tip of all is to PRACTICE. In Tip #27 I emphasize the importance of practicing more than you want to. Watch TED talks and other notable speakers to see how smooth they speak – these presenters have practiced the same presentation hundreds of times. Practice is the key.

More resources

• How to ask for help in school: 4 tips for self-advocacy
• What to do when you’re confused in class
• 5 life skills all students need to be functional adults

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The Ultimate Guide to Effective Teacher Presentations: Strategies & Tips

Dianne Adlawan

Teachers, by nature, are considered professional presenters. Their main responsibility is to talk in front of their students to relay educational knowledge, sharpen their minds and skills, and even serve as a second guide alongside their parents. They also speak in front of parents, co-teachers, and school administrators. This just means that preparing for a presentation is already not new to them.

Still, teachers can become so comfortable with their presentation routine that their techniques turn into autopilot. The result of a repetitive task can become tiring and not challenging anymore which may result in students losing interest or attention span in the process.

The tips featured in this article are dedicated to these hard-working professionals. This will help them prepare and perform a better presentation in front of any type of audience.

Why You Should Prepare for a Presentation

• Preparation helps you build to structure your thoughts to create a well-organized presentation. By taking the time to prepare, you can decide what information is most important, plan the flow of the presentation, and make sure that everything is connected and easy to follow.
• Second, it allows you to think ahead of the questions that your audience might ask. Especially if you’re giving a presentation to a group of various audiences, who are curious about the topic at hand. By preparing in advance, you’ll be able to answer any questions they may have, which will not only increase their understanding but also boost your credibility as a teacher.
• Lastly, preparation helps you make the most of your time. Advanced preparation ahead of the presentation can ensure that you’re not wasting time trying to organize your thoughts at the last minute.

Effects of an Organized and Well-Planned Presentation

An audience engages with a speaker who knows their words and poses a confident attitude. While the projector may display clear and concise slides, the presenter is the main ingredient to every presentation.

For teachers, a well-planned lesson presentation helps the teacher maintain the attention and interest of their students, which is crucial for effective learning. Additionally, being organized and prepared will help teachers convey their ideas more effectively and it will help the teacher to feel more confident, which also impacts their teaching and in turn can help to build trust and rapport with their students.

Possible Outcomes of An Unprepared Presentation

Let’s suppose you haven’t allocated enough time to plan and prepare for an important presentation. What could be the potential outcomes?

• Increased Stress and Anxiety: Lack of preparation can lead to increased anxiety and stress, which can not only hinder your ability to deliver a convincing presentation but also hurt your mental health and work balance. It can cause a “mental block,” causing you to lose focus and concentration during your delivery.
• Poor Presentation Delivery: Without proper preparation, your presentation can appear scattered and disjointed. This can lead to an incoherent message that fails to convince your audience.
• Diminished credibility: Delivering an unprepared presentation can harm your reputation as a professional. It can portray you as disorganized and unreliable which could lead your colleagues or students to question your competence and reliability.

Effective Visual and Content Organization Tips

Consider this as the first stage towards an effective teacher presentation. Before moving on to improving your verbal communication cues, let’s enhance first your presentation visuals and content.

Visual Tips

1. add powerpoint animations and different media.

Establishing an attractive slideshow is one of the keys to a successful presentation. This will put a good impression on your audience that you’re prepared just by seeing how well-designed your presentation is. Of course, images add to slideshow attraction, but consider adding another forms of media such as GIFs and videos, as well as animations! Microsoft PowerPoint has a lot of fun & captivating features that you may not be aware of. Check out this example of an easy yet appealing Slide Zoom trick in PowerPoint that you can add to your presentation to wow your audience.

@classpoint.io Did someone say FREE??? Yes, we did. Here are free websites to help you upgrade your next PowerPoint presentation! 😎 #powerpoint #presentation #design #studytok #edutok #tutorial #tipsandtricks #ai ♬ original sound – r & m <33

Read Next: Make Your Presentations POP With This PowerPoint Animation Template

2. Use Readable Font Styles

Make sure to use the best font style that makes your presentation look sleek, readable, and won’t strain your audience’s eyes while reading. We all want to use a fancy font, trust me, I get it. But most of the time, simplicity is beauty, especially if you’re presenting a professional-looking slideshow. Font styles such as Poppins, Tahoma, Verdana, Montserrat, and Helvetica are great examples of font styles that screams simple yet professional to look at.

On the other hand, font styles such as Bradley Hand, Comic Sans, and Chiller are not ideal choices as they are not meant to captivate your audience’s eyes. And another tip is to stick to two or three fonts only!

3. Use Relevant Graphics

Selecting graphics for designing your presentation depends on your audience and the goals you aim to achieve with the presentation. For example, if you are presenting in front of students and your goal is to keep them engaged, motivated, and actively participating, then you might consider incorporating charts, tables, and relevant shapes into your design.

It’s important to remember that your presentation design should align with the theme of your topic.

Free Websites to Upgrade your Presentation Graphics:

• Craiyon. com
• The Noun Project

4. Use Audience Engagement tools to Activate Learning

Want the quickest solution to an engaged audience? Well, it’s audience interactive activities! Adding interactive activities to your presentation can help keep your audience engaged and interested. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use ClassPoint, an audience engagement tool added right into PowerPoint presentations.

With ClassPoint, you no longer need to worry about strategies to keep your students engaged, as this tool transforms PowerPoint into a teacher presentation tool with a teacher toolbelt and student quizzes , polls, and games that make presentations more fun & engaging.

By combining ClassPoint with your presentation techniques, you can focus solely on setting up your lesson content in PowerPoint and allow ClassPoint to handle the rest for achieving a learning-activated presentation lesson .

🔍 Learn more about ClassPoint, the teacher add-in for better lessons & student engagement 👍

5. Use a Laser Pointer

Help focus your audience attention by using a laser pointer!

With the help of a laser pointer device, teachers are able to attract the attention of their audiences and concentrate on essential points in their presentations. Highlighting these main ideas and terms assists the speaker in organizing their speech, preventing distraction, and increasing retention of the information presented.

You can use a physical laser pointer & clicker, or with the addition of ClassPoint into PowerPoint, presenters can easily turn their cursor into a laser or a spotlight . This can make it even easier for students to follow along and is a convenient tool for creating a more captivating teacher presentation.

Secret tip: if you write on your slide with the laser, it will leave disappearing ink! 🪄

Content Tips

1. research and fact-check your presentation.

As educators, it is crucial to equip ourselves with reliable and accurate information before presenting to our students. We have a responsibility to not only educate them but to also mold them into critical thinkers who are equipped with factual knowledge. Without thorough fact-checking, we risk disseminating misinformation and hindering their intellectual growth.

To avoid such situations, we must prioritize research and fact-checking before presenting any information. Conducting research helps us not only in finding accurate information but also in ensuring that the sources we use are reliable and credible. Moreover, taking the time to fact-check demonstrates our commitment to providing students with high-quality education and the desire to create a safe and accurate learning environment.

2. Be Prepared to Anticipate Questions during the Presentation

It is important to be well-prepared for a presentation especially anticipating and addressing questions. This applies particularly to a teacher presentation, as educators face varied expectations and questions. Adequate preparation allows you to organize ideas and justifications, and it can deepen understanding, boost confidence, and improve adaptability. Addressing questions, makes your audiences feel heard and appreciated. This will result in comprehensive presentations, enhanced confidence, improved information flow, and an atmosphere of respect and understanding.

A great & visual way you can elaborate, or explain your material in new ways, is by using ClassPoint’s whiteboard tools added to PowerPoint. ClassPoint’s added toolbar presents teachers with unlimited whiteboard slides they can open whenever they need, and user-friendly yet comprehensive pen tools with available shapes, and text boxes. Plus you can also use ClassPoint’s quick poll or other question types to assess students’ understanding with hard data & insights.

Addressing questions well makes your audience or students feel heard & appreciated leading to improved learning, enhanced confidence, and a respectful, safe learning environment.

3. Provide an Outline Structure of your Content

When you are preparing your presentation, it is best to first create an effective outline structure that will guide your presentation flow and help you focus on the main learning objective. But what you may not be doing, is offering that outline structure to your students, but you should!

Providing students with a clear understanding of what this lesson is about, the structure of the lesson, and what they will be able to take away from it is important. By doing so, you can help students stay focused and follow along with the material. Additionally, you are setting expectations and ensuring that everyone is on the same page, which can help promote student autonomy. So, include an outline at the start of your presentation lesson.

Step-by-Step Strategies for a Successful Presentation

Before presentation, know your audience, your students, or observers.

Once you have completed your deck, you may want to add a guide script and any additional notes with important points you don’t want to forget or you want to highlight in your presentation to impress your students .

Practice your presentation delivery/lesson

Practice delivering your presentation give you a chance to fine-tune your content and get your facts down. This will help you become more comfortable with the material and identify areas that need improvement. You can practice in front of a mirror, record yourself and watch it back, or even rehearse with a colleague or friend. When practicing, pay attention to your posture, tone of voice, and pacing. By doing so, you’ll be able to deliver a confident and engaging presentation that will captivate your audience.

Use a friendly tone of voice and pace

Adjust your tone to match your message, and avoid speaking too quickly so that your audience will get the chance to absorb the information you’re sharing. By being mindful of these aspects, you will capture your audience’s attention and leave them feeling informed and inspired.

Use engaging body language

Body language is essential for engaging your audience during a presentation. Stand up straight, make eye contact, and use hand gestures to emphasize important points. You can also move around the classroom to keep your students’ attention. By using engaging body language, you’ll be able to convey your message more effectively and keep your students interested throughout the presentation. You’ve got this!

During Presentation

Create an icebreaker.

Having an icebreaker is a warm-up for your students’ brains, allowing you to focus and engage with the material being presented. It also helps break down any barriers or tension between the presenter and the audience, making for a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, an icebreaker provides an opportunity for the presenter to showcase their creativity and personality, adding an extra level of excitement and engagement to the presentation.

Good thing that ClassPoint has numerous features to help you perform an entertaining and unforgettable icebreaker. Here are some examples that you can use during an icebreaker.

• Quick Poll : Quick Poll allows you to create interactive polls right inside your presentation. When used as an icebreaker, it can engage the audience, initiate discussions, and provide valuable insights that help tailor the content to participants’ preferences.
• Word Cloud: Presenters can ask thought-provoking questions related to the topic or general interest. Using Word Cloud, the audiences can answer through their mobile which can be instantly seen as collective responses, with the most frequently mentioned words appearing larger.
• Short Answer : In short answer, you can challenge your audiences’ thought process in a short-form writing activity with no options to get from to test their ability to understand.
• Image Upload : Using single image, audiences can interpret what they feel like, or their mood using only the photos in their gallery or surroundings. A creative yet fun way for an icebreaker!

Speak clearly

Effective communication is crucial when presenting important information to students. Speaking clearly helps ensure that students understand the concepts being taught and follow instructions effectively. As a teacher, it’s important to focus on clear speech to promote effective communication and help your students comprehend the material being presented.

Pay attention to your audience’s attention

Since distractions are aplenty, attention spans are dwindling, it’s important for presenters to captivate their audience’s attention right from the beginning. For teachers, when speaking in front of your class, you should not only focus on the content of your presentation but also on your students’ attention.

To ensure that your students won’t start drifting away or zoning out, start with a compelling opening that immediately grabs their attention. Use vivid storytelling, examples, or demonstrations to engage your students and drive home your message. Don’t forget the power of humor, and never be afraid to be yourself – authentic, passionate, and confident.

Add Personality: share short relatable stories

“A great personality makes everyone feel energized; just like a flower’s fragrance that freshens ups the complete surrounding.” 29 Personality Quotes to Achieve Greatness

As to what is stated in the quote, having a positive and vibrant personality affects the overall mood of your surrounding, it can capture the audience’s attention and maintain their interest throughout the presentation. While the ultimate goal is to deliver a presentation rich with new learnings and knowledge, adding humor can do no harm to lift up the mood in the room. You might want to start by segueing a short story that your students can relate to and make interactions by encouraging them to share a story too or ask questions.

Post-Presentation Reflection

Take the comments by heart.

Receiving feedback from your students is a great way for evaluating the efficacy of a teacher presentation. This can help you identify areas where you can improve and tailor your teaching tactics to better suit the needs of your students. Listening to your students’ feedback can also promote a feeling of cooperation and enable them to become more actively involved in the learning experience. So, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback and take it to heart in order to continually improve your presentations.

Experienced educators understand that they are perpetually crafting their skills, and feedback from their audience brings an opportunity for professional advancement. In addition, accepting audience feedback illustrates esteem and worth for the students’ views. It promotes a feeling of cooperation and enables students to become more actively involved in the learning experience.

Preparing for a presentation is essential for teachers to deliver engaging and impactful content to their students. By structuring thoughts, anticipating questions, and preparing ahead, teachers can achieve a well-organized presentation that will enhance the students’ understanding and leave them feeling confident.

By following our strategies and tips teachers can achieve successful lessons using PowerPoint presentations. And, with the help of an advanced educational technology tool like ClassPoint, teachers can create dynamic and memorable presentations that their students will enjoy and actively participate in.

Try out ClassPoint today and experience a whole teacher presentation in PowerPoint! ✨

About Dianne Adlawan

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21 Effective Activities to Establish Classroom Expectations 

April 22, 2023 //  by  Seda Unlucay

This carefully curated list of classroom expectation activities is designed to establish a positive, well-structured learning environment for all students. The activities focus on cultivating respect, responsibility, and self-regulation while promoting a sense of belonging and inclusivity among learners. By incorporating these activities into your teaching routine, you can foster a collaborative classroom atmosphere that supports both individual growth and group success. Discover the perfect balance between setting clear expectations and encouraging social connections as you explore these innovative ideas!

1. Create a Classroom Contract

To create a classroom contract, begin by having conversations about respect, community, teamwork, and responsibility. Next, create an anchor chart to brainstorm what a great classroom looks, sounds, and feels like. Review the chart with students and pick the top ideas to form the contract. After having students sign the contract, display it in the classroom, and review it regularly. 

Learn More: Proud To Be Primary

2. Interactive Classroom Rules Display

Create a classroom expectations display using editable expectation cards to clearly show students what is expected of them during lessons. Include visuals and descriptions of the desired behavior, such as raising hands or working hard. This approach ensures students understand expectations, promoting a positive learning environment.

Learn More: Teaching With Kayleeb

3. Class Rules Booklet

This simple classroom expectations booklet covers essential rules like raising hands, respecting classmates, and trying one’s best. Read the booklet to students or have them read it to you. This is an effective way to establish routines and expectations at the beginning of the school year while setting students up for success. 

Learn More: Teaching Mama

4. Classroom Management Song

This fun and catchy song features six essential rules: raising hands to speak, walking in school, being nice, keeping hands and feet to oneself, cleaning up, and looking at the speaker. Singing will help kids more easily remember and follow these rules, contributing to a focused learning environment.

Learn More: YouTube

5. Classroom Behavior Expectations Video

In this pretend-play activity, Gus the Alligator teaches children about classroom rules with engaging role-play scenarios. Kids learn important expectations, such as listening, sharing, and following directions, in a fun and interactive way, helping to establish respectful classroom norms. 

6. Code of Conduct Word Search

This word search puzzle contains various rules such as respecting the teacher, sharing, working quietly, and being kind. It can serve as the basis for a basic classroom discussion while helping children enhance their pattern recognition skills and expand their vocabulary. 

Learn More: Word Mint

7. Classroom Rules Crossword

This crossword puzzle focuses on various rules and guidelines, such as restroom policies, being quiet in line, and cleaning up. It’s a simple way to help students review school procedures while improving their problem-solving skills, cognitive abilities, and reading comprehension. 

8. Slideshow of Classroom Routines

This editable slideshow presentation outlines common routines and expectations for students. By presenting these expectations in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand manner, students can become familiar with classroom rules from the beginning, helping to support classroom management throughout the year.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

9. Play a Review Game 

To play this engaging board game, students can take turns spinning and moving across the board, picking up procedure cards that require them to read, apply, or act out different situations related to classroom expectations. This interactive approach encourages kids to apply the rules to real-life scenarios, helping them retain the information better.

10. Read Aloud About Classroom Expectations 

Students learn proper behavior by following Percy’s ten simple rules, while also discovering what not to do through humorous examples. This colorful picture book not only makes school enjoyable but also helps students develop positive habits, ensuring a smooth and successful learning experience.

Learn More: Amazon

11. Interactive Worksheet on Rights and Responsibilities

Develop your own set of classroom agreements with this collaborative activity where students discuss their rights and responsibilities. Conducting this activity early in the school year fosters a sense of ownership, responsibility, and respect, helping to create a supportive learning environment.

Learn More: Education

12. Assign Class Jobs

Foster a sense of responsibility and community in the classroom by assigning specific jobs to students using a classroom jobs template. This template includes various duties and offers opportunities for learners to connect with their strengths and interests, helping to create an organized and neat classroom.

13. Test Student Understanding of Your Class Statement 

Test and strengthen students’ understanding of your classroom expectations with this written assessment. Invite students to grade their own work using a colored pencil and add their own questions or personal notes about their performance before reviewing the answers as a class.  

Learn More: Jessica Zannini

14. Review Expectations with an Interactive Game of Charades

Incorporate a dynamic game of charades to help students understand your expectations while expressing their unique personalities. Place students in small groups and provide them with task cards featuring classroom rules to act out. Watch as they perform, smile and learn! 

15. Try a Social Story with Primary Students

This visual social story teaches classroom expectations and can be adapted to various grade levels, making it a great choice for children with autism or those needing explicit modeling. Why not read it aloud during the first few days of school, allowing students to internalize expectations early on in the year?

Learn More: Learning With Mrs. Parker

16. Student Goals and Reflection Worksheet

Encouraging positive behavior is an important part of reinforcing classroom expectations. With these charts, kids can personalize their behavioral goals for the year. You can encourage them by focusing on positive actions, reviewing the charts frequently, and asking learners to reflect on their goals. When a student demonstrates consistent positive behavior, allow them to color a star on their chart and give them an award. 

Learn More: Keeping My Kiddo Busy

17. Bingo Activity for Students to Review School Rules

These colorful Bingo cards cover various classroom rules and can be customized with specific prizes, fostering a sense of community and motivation. Students work together to earn bingo pieces, improving transitions, focus, and teamwork while keeping them excited and invested in their learning environment.

Learn More: Teach Create Motivate

18. Classroom Community Rules Coloring Page

These visually-appealing coloring pages about class rules offer numerous benefits, including reinforcing understanding, enhancing creativity, and developing fine motor skills. They also encourage mindfulness, and relaxation and can be used to facilitate discussion among students. 

Learn More: Teaching With Love and Laughter

19. Classroom Expectations Bee Craft

Most classroom rules can be distilled down to three core principles: Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Your Best. Kids can unleash their inner artist by creating these colorful bees out of colored construction paper, before adding their own unique twist with glitter or googly eyes. 

Learn More: Instagram

20. Teach The Golden Rule to Build a Positive School Community

The Golden Rule teaches kids to treat others the way they would like to be treated. In this featured hands-on activity, students use pepper, water, soap, and sugar to represent people and different types of interactions. This helps them understand the consequences of their actions and encourages them to treat others with kindness and respect.

Learn More: Ray Center

21. Use the ‘Give Me Five’ Learning Management System 

This “Give Me Five” poster can serve as a visual reminder to help students focus and maintain a well-organized classroom environment. By using this popular and effective technique, you can quickly communicate your expectations and regain students’ attention, reducing disruptions and increasing focus.

Learn More: The Best Teacher Entrepreneurs

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8 Tips to Power-Up Your Classroom Presentations

Last month, I attended a Back to School Night for parents, sitting through presentation after presentation by teachers, some with slides that helped make their presentation a delight to listen to, and others . . . well, that's why I'm writing this blog post.

The goal of a classroom presentation is to aid you in effectively conveying information in a way that allows students (or their parents) to remember what you said. Unfortunately, for some, the presentation becomes a crutch, and they begin to rely on the slides to tell their story, rather than to help them tell the story.

I've been creating presentations using software like PowerPoint and KeyNote for 20 years, and I've learned a lot about how to most effectively communicate. Here's what I've found.

1. Use as Many Slides as You Need

It's a common myth that better presentations use fewer slides. This is simply not the case. I once sent an education conference presentation to the organizers so they could preview it in advance of my speaking. They wrote back, concerned that my 45-minute presentation had 116 slides. I looked it over and realized they were right! I revised it and sent a presentation with 135 slides back to them. I finished my talk with 5 minutes to spare -- just enough time to take questions -- and the presentation was a huge success.

The number of slides in your presentation is irrelevant. What matters is how well your slides communicate and how much time you spend talking about each slide. Spending five minutes on five slides will almost always be more engaging to your students than spending five minutes on a single slide, even when the information is exactly the same.

In the movie Amadeus , the Emperor of Austria complains to Mozart that his music has "too many notes." Mozart responds, "There are just as many notes as are required. Neither more nor less." Use as many slides as you need to make your point. No more. No less.

2. Minimize Verbosity

Your slides are there to support what you are saying, not to say it for you. Keep your word count low, and only place one main point on a slide, plus three to five sub-points if absolutely needed. Remember tip #1 above -- don't be afraid to use more slides. They're free! Also, the language in your slides doesn't need to be in complete sentences. Pare the text to as few words as possible, using what's there only to emphasize and reinforce -- not replace -- the words coming out of your mouth.

3. Maximize Visuals

Photos, figures and icons work as visual memory triggers. They help your students remember what it is you're saying. Any time you can add a visual that helps illustrate or reinforce the points you're making in your slides, you should use it. One great way to do this on the cheap is to use public domain or creative commons photos you can find on Flickr or Google .

4. Reduce Noise

Many teachers like to add banners, headers, footers, page numbers and more noise to their slides. Unless the information needs to be on every slide for a vital reason (which is rare), you should remove it. All these redundant elements do is create distractions from the content of your slides. I find this to be especially true of page numbers. Imagine if a movie included a time code at the bottom, constantly reminding you how long you had been watching. All this does is serve to take the viewer out of the moment. Page numbers in slides really don't provide any useful information -- they just remind your students how long they've been watching.

Pursuant to tips #1 and #2, you're not going to win awards by cramming the most content on the fewest slides. Make text and visuals as large as you can. Not only does this make them easier to see and read, but larger images and text make a greater impact to aid memory. There's nothing wrong with filling an entire slide with a photo, and then placing text right on top. You may have to use a transparent background immediately behind the text so that it's clearly readable, but the overall effect is almost always more memorable than just some text beside an image.

6. Highlight What You Are Talking About

While you are presenting, your students may be momentarily distracted taking notes, thinking about what you are saying, glancing out the window, possibly even daydreaming. When they refocus on your slides, though, they need to quickly pick back up where you are, or you risk losing them again.

• Use contrast or call-outs to clearly show the area of the slide you are talking about.
• Reveal bullet points or table rows one at a time so that the last one visible is the one you are talking about.
• Use arrows, circles or other pointers to show what you are referencing in specific parts of an illustration, photo or graph.
• Animate and reveal parts of illustrations and graphs (where possible) to build your story rather than showing everything at once.
• Use bold type or different colors to highlight the keywords in any lengthy text.

7. Transition Changes

Humans suffer from an affliction called change blindness -- we have a hard time seeing changes unless there is a clear transition between the states. This is especially a problem in presentations where slides may look very much alike. Most programs include transitions that can be used between slides or on elements in the slides themselves.

My favorite transition is the cross-dissolve -- where the first slide fades down while the next slide fades up -- but different transitions can help illustrate points in your presentation. Are you talking about combustion or the fire of London? Use a flame transition. Talking about photography or Hollywood movies? Use the flashbulb transition. Even "cheesy" transitions help overcome change blindness and aid student memory at the same time.

8. Repeat Yourself Redundantly

It’s OK to repeat the same slide more than once -- especially when using images -- if you are reminding students of an earlier point. Obviously, this is not a license to be monotonous. However, if you want to tie separate ideas together, emphasize a point or splash in a little comic relief, it's perfectly fine to repeat a slide.

Bonus Tip: Make it Funny!

There's little doubt that emotional responses can aid memory. While it can be difficult to apply this power in a classroom slide presentation, humor is easy enough, and adding a bit of levity to your presentations at the right points can work to give students vital memory hooks.

Remember, the point of presentation slides is not to replace you as the teacher, but to help your students understand and remember what you are teaching. Overwhelming them with too much information can be just as harmful as underwhelming them with too little.

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How to Set Clear Expectations in Your Classroom

As a teacher, it is important to set clear expectations for your classroom in order to create an effective learning environment for your students.

Additionally, setting clear expectations allows you to create an atmosphere of respect and mutual understanding between yourself and your students.

Tips to Set Clear Expectations in Your Classroom

1. determine and understand the need for expectations .

Determining the need for clear expectations in the classroom is essential to creating an effective learning environment.

Establishing clear expectations also allows teachers to establish consequences for misbehavior, as well as rewards for good behavior.

2. Speak to Students about Expectations

Ask students what kind of behavior they think is important and what consequences should be issued for not following the rules.

3. Establish Consequences and Rewards

Establishing consequences and rewards is an effective way for teachers to set up clear expectations in the classroom.

By setting clear expectations and communicating them effectively with both rewards and consequences, teachers can create an environment of respect and accountability in their classrooms.

4. Model the Behavior You Expect

5. communicate with parents.

A strong parent-teacher relationship is key to setting clear expectations in the classroom. Make sure that you keep parents in the loop by providing regular updates and feedback.

By keeping parents informed, you can create a sense of trust and collaboration between home and school, making it easier to set clear expectations in your classroom.

6. Lead by Example

Leading by example is one of the most powerful ways to set expectations in your classroom. You can demonstrate your expectations through your own behavior, such as being respectful, organized, and staying on task.

7. Utilize Visual Cues

Visual cues can be an effective way to communicate expectations in the classroom. They can help remind students of classroom rules and help them stay on task.

For example, you could use visual cues such as posters with positive messages, photos of students completing tasks, or even a chart that outlines the expectations for the day.

8. Leverage Technology

Leveraging technology is a great way to help set up clear expectations in your classroom. By teaching students how to use the technology available to them, you can give them the tools they need to excel in their studies.

Additionally, having access to the latest technology provides opportunities for innovative learning experiences.

9. Have Clear Routines

Establishing a consistent routine can help students understand the expectations and provide them with a structure for success.

Having a set routine for activities such as transitions, breaks, and classroom management tasks can provide students with a sense of security and help them focus on their learning.

10. Make Expectations Visible

You can also use technology to share expectations and to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Additionally, by getting your students involved in creating the expectations, they will have a better understanding of why they are important and how to meet them.

11. Get Students Involved when creating clear expectations

You can also have students help come up with potential consequences for breaking the rules, as well as rewards for following them.

Involving students in setting expectations will help create a sense of ownership and responsibility among them, which will foster a more effective learning environment.

12. Phrase Expectations Positively

Additionally, ensure that the expectations are realistic and achievable so that students don’t feel overwhelmed or discouraged.

By taking the time to phrase expectations positively, you can create an inviting classroom atmosphere where students feel safe and respected.

13. State Expectations Early

Additionally, providing positive reinforcement when expectations are met can further help motivate students to meet and exceed your expectations.

14. Review Expectations Regularly

Reviewing your expectations regularly is important to ensure that all students understand and adhere to them. It’s also a great way to provide positive reinforcement for those who are meeting your expectations.

To wrap up, setting clear expectations in the classroom is an important part of creating a successful learning environment. By using the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your students understand what is expected of them and that they have the necessary tools to meet those expectations. Doing this will also help to create a positive and productive atmosphere in your classroom. Thank you for taking the time to read about how to set up clear expectations in your classroom.

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5 Tips to Creating and Maintaining Classroom Expectations

The First Step of Teaching Self-Monitoring and Implementation of The  Self & Match  System

As we return to brick & mortar learning, it is clear that the behaviors displayed in many classrooms has become even greater, given that student experiences ranged  dramatically throughout their time in distance learning.  Without a doubt, behavioral expectations throughout distance learning varied greatly in homes given each family’s unique circumstances. As a result, children have returned to “in-person” instruction demonstrating a variety of social, behavioral, and academic skills/needs.  Not to mention, the majority of students who are currently enrolled in grades K-2 have never experienced a full “typical” year of elementary school. Many of them had their preschool experience flipped upside down! Preschool and early elementary is a developmental time where students often learn school readiness and behavioral/social  group  interactions. Yet many children missed that opportunity due to the necessity to learn at home.  As a result of these various factors,  many classrooms around the globe are experiencing higher rates of behavioral challenges than pre-pandemic levels (1). 

One simple way to support our student’s behavioral success as they return to in-class learning is to prioritize setting clear expectations and then systematically teaching our students the tools needed to self-monitor their behavior(s) to match these expectations using Self & Match.  All students thrive on having expectations and the value of setting clear classroom expectations has been researched for over 70 years (2).  So, let’s take a look at some key tips to setting up effective classroom expectations as well as tools to teach self-monitoring as we go  back to the basics  and prepare our students to be successful, lifelong learners. 

5  Tips to Consider As You Set Expectations With Your Students and Develop your  Self & Match  Systems:

1) Create 3-5 clear/explicit class expectations that are stated positively.  

Set expectations of what you would like your student  to do  (i.e. “ Be Responsible  by coming to class on time”) rather than what you don’t want your student to do (i.e. “Don’t Come to Class Late”).  (3) 

2) Make the expectations easy to remember, simple to understand, age-appropriate, and enforceable.  

Ensure that all students can identify the class expectations and, if possible, explain them in their own words.  Consider incorporating visuals and teach examples and non-examples that align with each expectation.  Remember to use language that is familiar to your students, make it fun, tied to your classroom themes, school-wide PBIS culture, and (if applicable) your  Self & Match  Questions!  For example, if you have a space themed classroom, using terms like “Out of this world!” might be language to reinforce the expectations and connect for your students.   (4)

3) If possible, co-construct the expectations with your students and allow them to have a voice in the process of creating and setting expectations.

If a class expectation is to “Be Kind”, ask your students what “Being Kind” means to them and include the student definitions on the clearly posted expectations within the classroom.  Allow students to develop clear examples and non-examples of the class expectations and remember that the examples can be added to or modified throughout the year.  Including example(s) and non-examples increases the rate at which students follow through with classroom expectations (5).  

4) Promote fluency by  explicitly  teaching and practicing the expectations.

Go further than simply posting the expectations in a visible location by referencing them frequently, make it a part of your daily schedule, and (if applicable) review at each Self & Match check-in opportunity.  Infuse the language of the expectations throughout your school day by catching students engaging in the class expectation and reinforcing/labelling it (i.e. – “Kai, I love the way you are  Following Directions  by starting your classwork”). 

5) Empower students to take ownership and responsibility for their own behavior.  Recognizing expectations is the first step of teaching self-monitoring within an educational setting.

In its simplest terms, self-management involves the personal/self-application of behavior-change procedures that supports goal achievement.  How can we expect students to accurately reflect on their behavior, if they do not have a clear understanding of the expectations?  This is why it is critical that the first step you take is establishing classroom expectations with your students. 

Taking it a step further… 

HOW  CAN I SET-UP A  SELF & MATCH  SYSTEM  TO FURTHER ENHANCE SELF- AWARENESS OF CLASS EXPECTATIONS 

As we are returning to our physical classrooms amidst the pandemic, teachers are looking to add additional user-friendly tools to their toolkit in order to promote the behavioral success of our students.  The Self & Match System is a tool that many educators and practitioners have turned to to implement individually or class-wide.

The  Self & Match  System is a self-management and motivational system firmly grounded in principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).  This manualized behavioral intervention encourages a collaborative approach to promoting systematic behavioral success for children and young adults using self-monitoring with an accountability/match component.  Systematic planning before beginning an intervention makes a world of difference and is a fundamental element of the  Self & Match  system. Each system is individually developed using a comprehensive “considerations guide” that is included in the  Self & Match  manual. 

Self & Match  has been implemented internationally across a variety of settings including: special and general education classrooms; homes; sports programs; camps; clinics; as well as public, private, parochial schools, post-secondary education. 

The 6th edition of The  Self & Match  System: Systematic Use of Self-Monitoring as a Behavior Intervention includes all the materials necessary to guide the development and implementation of individualized  Self & Match  Systems. Included in the manual is a forward by a trailblazer in the ABA world, Dr. Saul Axelrod; an introduction that provides a review of the literature supporting self-monitoring; a “Considerations Prior to Implementation Guide”; 20 sample  Self & Match  forms, five reproducible  Self & Match  forms; and an assortment of supplemental materials.  The manual also includes access to an online portal of customizable digital forms and a PDF form creator called the “ Self & Match Maker”.

Our ultimate goal is to provide you with practical tools to help students monitor and reflect on their own behavior so that they can become more independent and self-determined, resulting in an improved quality of life! 

Want to learn even more about the Who’s, What’s Where’s, Why’s, When’s, and How’s of Self-Monitoring interventions?  Check out our 2018 DRL blog  here

About The Authors 

Jamie Salter, Ed.S., BCBA

Jamie S. Salter, Ed.S., BCBA co-authored the  Self & Match  System; an evidence-based self-monitoring intervention that is grounded in principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. Jamie consults with teams around the globe in the development and implementation of  Self & Match  interventions as a Tier 1, 2, or 3 behavioral tool within the school, clinic, and home settings.

Previously, Jamie served for a decade as a Senior Program Specialist at the San Diego County Office of Education. In her role, she trained educators on writing effective and legally-defensible Behavior Intervention Plans, provided leadership and guidance to special educators, consulted with teams utilizing the  Self & Match  system, and supported students, families, and IEP teams in determining appropriate programs for students in their least-restrictive environment. Jamie has been actively involved in supporting children with autism for over 20 years. These experiences include serving as Supervisor of an U.S. Department of Education Training Grant (focused on inclusion of students with low incidence disabilities) and presenter at multiple International Conferences. She has also operated a school-based clinic that provided an emphasis on Intensive Behavioral Interventions, led social skills groups, sibling support groups, and provided in-home behavioral intervention. She has served on the state-wide PENT Cadre Leadership team since 2016.  Jamie received her Masters of Education, Educational Specialist degree, Nationally Certified School Psychologist status, and BCBA certification through Lehigh University. 

Katharine Croce, Ed.D., BCBA

Dr. Katharine Croce is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D).  Dr. Croce received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.  Dr. Croce earned a MS. Ed., in Applied Behavior Analysis from Temple University, a BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice from La Salle University, and an Autism Certificate from Pennsylvania State University.  

Dr. Croce is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Felician University teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Applied Behavior Analysis. Previously, Dr. Croce was the Director of the ASERT Collaborative Eastern Region at Drexel University. ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training) and brings together autism resources (locally, regionally, and statewide) to improve access to quality services and information, provide support to individuals with autism and caregivers, train professionals in best practices and facilitate the connection between individuals, families, professionals and providers. 

Dr. Croce has worked as a Special Education Coordinator and behavior analyst in public/private schools, home settings, and an in-patient hospital for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities.  Dr. Croce has also worked in a clinic setting developing programs for individuals with ASD, a support program for college students with ASD, and training undergraduate and graduate education and psychology majors who wanted to work in the field of ASD.  

Contact Jamie or Katie at  [email protected]

• National Association of School Psychologists. (2020).  Providing effective social–emotional and behavioral supports after COVID-19 closures: Universal screening and Tier 1 interventions  [handout]. 
• Zimmerman, E. H., & Zimmerman, J. (1962). The alteration of behavior in an elementary classroom. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 5, 50-60.

Burden, P. (2006). Classroom management: Creating a successful K-12 learning community. (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

• Grossman, H. (2004). Classroom behavior management for diverse and inclusive schools. (3rd ed.). New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.

Kerr, M. M., & Nelson, C. M. (2010). Strategies for addressing behavior problems in the classroom. (6th Ed.). Columbus OH: Merrill.

• Neef, N. A., Shafer, M. S., Egel, A. L., Cataldo, M. F., & Parrish, J. M. (1983). The class specific effects of compliance training with ―do‖ and ―don’t‖ requests; analogue analysis and class-room application. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 16(1), 81-99.

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How to Create a Student-Driven Top 10 List of Classroom Expectations

By The TFA Editorial Team

April 17, 2015

Most teachers would agree that creating a classroom culture in which students are empowered to follow the rules and eager to work together as a team is a win-win for everyone. One way to achieve this happy synergy is to implement a top 10 expectations and rewards system, developed and created by your students. Learn more about how to get your students invested in creating an efficient, focused classroom.

Brainstorm with students a list of things that are the most important for having a safe and productive classroom (or work environment). Get as many students as possible to share their ideas and write those ideas on the board. 

From your list, see if you can narrow your ideas down to 10 by looking for duplicate ideas and combining them. If there are things that you as the teacher think are important to have on the list, but the students didn’t come up with, try to lead them to it without forcing the expectation on them. 

Once the list is finalized, brainstorm a list of small and big rewards. The rewards list can be anything they want it to be—from free computer time to chips, on the small end of the scale, to a pizza party or field trip as larger rewards. 

Ask a student to create a large poster listing the top 10 expectations to hang in the classroom. Here is a sample list to get you started:

• Be on time (100% of students focused within 60 seconds of class start).  
• Respectful interactions (i.e. no profanity, no shouting, not touching others’ property, etc.)  
• Work as a team  
• Stay in your seat  
• Maintain a positive attitude  
• One person speaks at a time (no side conversations)  
• Turn in all homework and class work  
• Absolutely no horseplay (no throwing items, hands to yourself)  
• Keep the classroom clean  
• Line up quickly and quietly

Use the last five minutes of every class to review your top 10 list, and reward points for those expectations that were fully met. Points may be added, but they shouldn’t be taken away. Simply tally the total each day. Once the class reaches 50 points, choose from your list of small rewards. When they earn 200 points, choose from the big list.

It’s important to hold extremely high expectations for these behaviors—and not award points for partial completion—since the students created them. As you and your students get more used to the system, consider choosing a student who’s displaying his/her “A” game to be the one to tally the points for the day. Choosing a different student each day is a great way to offer personal rewards as a bonus to the class-wide system. Reviewing the list at the end of class also provides an opportunity to call out students who were doing the right thing.

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Elementary Classroom Expectations to Help You Have a Successful School Year

by | | Classroom Management , Uncategorized

When it comes to choosing elementary classroom expectations you want to choose ones that will set you up for a successful school year. You want to set them in a way that builds classroom community and helps with behavior management. That is why today I’m sharing elementary classroom expectations to help you have a successful school year.

Learn exactly how I introduce these elementary classroom expectations in my first week of school plans. This is a free google docs where I have typed up everything I do the first week of school and you can tweak things to your needs. Get your free copy here. It also comes with my Back to School Checklist to help you save time and brain power this back to school season!

Here are some of the elementary classroom expectations that help me have a successful year with my 2nd grade students.

Elementary School Expectations

When thinking of elementary school expectations, I start with thinking about how I want my class to be while I’m teaching. This includes how it should look like, sound like, and feel like to me and students. This helps me brainstorm ideas of the expectations I want the class to live by.

Classroom Expectation Display

Classroom Expectation Cards

I have a few options for a classroom expectation display you could use in your classroom. My first one is my Editable Expectation Cards. I use this to show students what I expect from them as I teach. During a lesson what do I expect of my students? I want my students to know explicitly what I want to see. That is why I created a classroom expectation display of this. 

This is a classroom expectations display I love to use in my 2nd grade classroom.

I have cards with clipart and expectations like raising your hands and working hard. We go over when I teach what it should look like, sound like, and feel like. I have students model these and we practice them.

Then later in the year if students are having a hard time following these expectations I refer them to my display to help remind them and to reteach the expectations. Find these Editable Expectations Cards here.

Class Agreement

I also make a Class Agreement with my students. This one really builds a positive classroom community because students help make the classroom expectations they believe we should live by. 

Setting elementary classroom rules is very important.

I first introduce what values are. They are things you believe are important to live by. During the first week of school we read lots of children’s books that share good values, like being respectful, being kind, working together, and never giving up. We keep a running list of all the good values we can find in these books. 

Then I help students narrow down a few to make our class agreement. I type it up nice on a piece of paper and have students write their name on it. I let students know that by writing their name they are agreeing to follow these values. Then as a class students help make up hand signals for each value. For example, for the classroom expectation of “always be kind” students make a heart with their hands.

Then we recite our Classroom Agreement every morning. It helps set the tone for the day and is a reminder of our classroom expectations. Find my Classroom Agreement template here. To learn more about creating a classroom agreement, read this blog post here: How to Make A Classroom Agreement for Elementary

Anchor Charts

Our school has set some expectations as a whole. There are: We are Respectful, Responsible, and Ready. These can be big words for elementary students to understand. So I make anchor charts with my students during the first week of school to help them understand. 

I’ll split the large poster paper in 4 sections. In the middle of the anchor chart I will write, “Being Respectful” Then I print out a student friendly definition of what it means to be respectful. We have a class discussion on why it is important to be respectful. Then we will read a children’s book that shows different ways to be respectful. As we do I have students think about how they can be respectful to their teacher, classmates, and school. I have premade cards with different examples of showing respect. Students have to help me sort them whether they show respect to their teacher, classmates, or school. I love how making this anchor chart is interactive. It’s very engaging for students.

Creating a positive learning environment starts with knowing how to set up classroom expectations effectively.

Then I will repeat this with “Being Responsible.” By making classroom expectations anchor charts, elementary students can truly understand what is expected in and classroom and what is not.

Find these Elementary Classroom Expectations Anchor Charts to use in your classroom here.

Learn more tips on how to use these anchor charts here in this blog post: How a Responsibility Anchor Chart Can Help You Have a Successful Year

How to Set Classroom Expectations

I have already given you some ideas on how to set elementary classroom expectations such as using expectation cards, creating a classroom agreement, and making anchor charts.

But another good idea is to create a classroom expectations ppt. This is a PowerPoint where you have all of your classroom procedures listed out. For each procedure you write the steps students take to complete the procedure. Then you model the steps for students, having them practice, then have them come up with how the procedure should look like, sound like, and feel like.

Nurturing growth and success through clear and age-appropriate expectations for elementary students

You are getting them involved in the classroom expectations that revolve around your classroom procedures. In return, your classroom will run smoother and you will save instructional time. 

Find my Classroom Procedures PowerPoint template to use here. 

What Are Good Classroom Expectations

When it comes to creating your overall elementary classroom expectations it’s good to think more broadly. That is why like our whole school expectations of “We are respectful, responsible, and ready.” So many good behaviors fall over those categories. When students understand what those values mean it makes a big difference. Then when you have a student misbehave you can talk to them about how it wasn’t responsible. It will be easy to have those conversations with them.

Rewarding Students on Meeting Classroom Expectations

I like to reward my students for working together for good behavior. That is why we have a class flower as our whole class rewards system . I post it up in the corner of our front whiteboard. The middle of the flower is special because it says the reward the students are working towards. It might be a movie party, or extra recess, or another fun reward. But here’s the key… The students get to vote on the reward they want to work towards. This increases their motivation to follow classroom expectations and rules.

Set up a foundation for a successful learning experience by establishing clear elementary class expectations.

I add a petal when I see students go above and beyond with following our rules and expectations. When the students get all 10, they earn the reward!

Find this whole class rewards system here.

Learn more tips on having a whole class reward system in this blog post.

I hope you have been able to see how setting classroom expectations in an elementary setting is so important. I also hope you have found ideas you can take and use in your classroom. To save money on these elementary classroom expectations tools, check out this bundle here.

For more ideas on classroom management, check out this blog post: Classroom Behavior Management Techniques

Looking for everything you need for Back to School? Check out this bundle where you get all of my classroom management tools plus other back to school essential in this Back to School Mega Bundle here. 

Learn more about creating classroom rules with your students in this blog post here.

Check out this blog post about how to create a calming classroom environment here.

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Behaviour Expectations

Subject: Whole school

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Other

Last updated

17 January 2014

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Budget 2024: What can salaried taxpayers expect?

The government is expected to announce measures favouring the salaried taxpayers in order to increase consumption by the middle class..

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• Finance Minister to present seventh budget
• Possible increase in income tax thresholds and Section 80C limit
• Calls to raise standard deduction and housing loan interest cap

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is just a few weeks away from presenting her seventh budget, her first under 'Modi 3.0', with salaried taxpayers hopeful of tax relief measures.

Various media reports and experts suggest that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi might opt for populist measures which could witness tax relief measures for salaried individuals.

The government is expected to announce measures favouring the salaried taxpayers in order to increase consumption by the middle class. However, the government is also looking to consolidate the fiscal deficit and meet the target for FY24.

Read Full Budget 2024 Coverage

Income tax thresholds

Experts are in favour of raising the income tax thresholds by the government.

Section 80C limit

Standard deduction.

Currently, a standard deduction of Rs 50,000 is applicable under both the old and new income tax regime and experts believe that the limit should be increased.

Housing loan deduction

"The interest deduction allowed on housing loans has been capped at Rs 2 lakh since a few years. An increase in this cap to say Rs 3 lakh would be a very welcome move for individuals," said Ritika Nayyar, Partner, Singhania & Co.

She further added that it would be more beneficial if this deduction is provided separately and not clubbed with 80C

Simplification of capital gains tax

Capital gains are considered the most complex category of income under the Income-tax Act, due to numerous amendments over the years.

There are different timeframes for various assets to be classified as long-term or short-term, and multiple base tax rates such as 10%, 15%, 20%, 22%, 30%, and 40%.