The document provides a list of classroom rules for middle school and high school students. It begins with strategies for effective rule-setting, focusing rules on positive behaviors and using action verbs. The bulk of the document then lists over 40 specific rules covering respecting others, participation, equipment use, behavior, assignments, attendance, and dress code. It concludes with enforcing the rules through warnings and escalation, as well as considering alternative democratic rule-setting and the teacher's role in addressing misbehavior.

1. CLASSROOM RULES FOR STUDENTS
Two effective teaching strategies to remember when setting rules for middle school and high school
students are:
1. Make rules that say what to do rather than what not to do.
2. Start every rule with an action word (verb).
Best Classroom Rules For Students
1. Respect other people’s boundaries (aka Keep your hands to yourself).
2. is unacceptable.
Enter the classroom ready to learn.
Use an inside voice (aka No yelling!)
Ask for permission before using the restroom.
6 – 10:
Raise your hand if you would like to speak.
Wait for others to finish speaking before you speak (aka No interrupting).
Listen actively by making eye contact and asking relevant questions of the speaker.
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Respect your classroom. Clean and tidy classrooms make your learning experience better (aka No
Vandalism!)
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Respect your classroom. Clean and tidy classrooms make your learning experience better (aka No
Vandalism!)
11 – 15:
See if you can help yourself before asking someone else.
Care for your own equipment.
Ask for permission to use others’ equipment.

2. Theft is unacceptable (aka Do not steal!)
Use a respectful tone and manners at all times (aka Don’t be Snarky)
16 – 20:
Play by the rules. If you don’t, you’re only cheating yourself (aka Don’t cheat).
Respect your body. You’ll need it for many decades to come.
Know when to speak. You have a valued contribution to make to the class.
Know when not to speak. Others have a valued contribution to make, too. Give them space to speak.
Shower every day. No one wants to smell your B.O. when they’re trying to study.
21 – 26:
Do homework daily. You’ll thank yourself in 10 years time!
Think about people in more need than you. If someone appears lonely, sad or in need of help, it’s your
responsibility to be by their side.
Walk around the classroom … don’t run! When you walk, you’re less likely to damage things.
Admit your mistakes. You’re not perfect and admitting when you’re wrong is a respectable thing to do.
Stop and look to your teacher when the teacher asks. Your teacher’s here to help you!
Check and edit your work before sending it to the teacher.
Best Classroom Rules For High School
27 – 31:
ToAct as a role model for your peers and for younger students.
Seek meaning in everything you do. Make sure you life a meaningful life.
Apply what you learn in class to your life outside.
Come to class because you want to. At this age, you don’t have to be here.
Call out bad behavior. It’s your classroom and your job to set the tone you want.
32 – 36:

3. Challenge one another with respect.
Be ready to have your mind changed by someone else’s ideas.
Be generous with praise and kindness for your friends and colleagues.
Turn up on time. Being on time shows respect for your learning and your peers.
Organize what you need for class the night before. You’re almost an adult … it’s time to get organized!
Set yourself high expectations every day.
Shoot for the moon. If you miss, you’ll make it to the stars.
Take risks in order to achieve great things.
Play together because play is the highest form of learning!
Visualize what or who you want to be and strive for your ideal.
Believe in yourself and your friends. You are the future of the world.
42 – 47:
Make someone smile today.
Be humble in success and proud in failure. Humble winners are willing to take constructive feedback.
Proud losers hold their head high for having a go.
Stand up for each other and stand against bullies.
Set yourself a goal for today.
Get involved. The world is changed by those who show up.
Be your true self. You’ll regret it if you don’t.
How To Enforce The Rules
If students disregard or disrespect the rules, a teacher needs to take control and make sure they know
the standards must be maintained.
The first time a student breaks the rules, they get a reprimand.
The second time a student breaks the rules, they get a punishment.

4. The third time a student breaks the rules, it’s escalated to parents and school management.
The trick is to follow-thought thoroughly on these steps so students know you’re serious.
Alternative Approaches
An alternative (and perhaps better) way to go about writing class rules is to do it democratically.
Get your class together and ask them what rules they want to see in their classroom. I’ve found that
young people are surprisingly conservative about the rules. They’ll offer some tough and powerful rules
that they all must abide by.
By getting students to come up with the rules together, they are setting their own personal standards. It
makes them more accountable not only to yourself as the teacher, but also themselves.
Final Thoughts
Class rules for middle and high school studentsClassroom rules are necessary for learning to occur.
When students misbehave, they are disrespecting their peers. Everyone in the class has the right to
learn. If a student interrupts other students who are trying to learn, that needs to be stopped.
However, a teacher also needs to have positive regard for all students and see their potential … even the
ones who play up. Work with misbehaving students to make sure they are having their needs met and
they feel comfortable and safe in the classroom. As the humanist theory states, most misbehavior has a
cause: as teachers, it’s our job to identify the cause of that misbehavior and try to address it so the
student can succeed in class.
One thing a teacher needs to consider is their teaching: are you encouraging passive learning or active
learning? An active, constructive classroom may significantly decrease instances of misbehavior.
DO be on time: Students must be in the classroom and seated before the bell rings. Late students will
be
Sent to the office for a “late” pass. It goes into your permanent record.

5. 2. DO be prepared: Have binders, notebooks, your own paper, pens, pencils, and highlighters every day.
DON’T borrow materials from other students. Be responsible for your own things.
3. DO have materials out that pertain to this class on your desk as soon as you get into your seat.
DON’T work on homework from other classes. This is not study hall!
4. DO have backpacks and purses on the floor at all times.
5. DO respect each other’s property (your classmates’ belongings and mine).
6. DON’T touch a classmate’s personal property or the teacher’s desk, cabinets, drawers, and
audio/visual
Equipment unless you are given permission to.
7. DO have a water bottle as long as it does not become the focus.
DON’T have food or gum in the classroom in order to keep our classroom clean.
8. DO sit in your assigned/regular seat. I will move all of you from time to time and some of you some of
The time as deemed necessary for best learning. Do talk to me if your seat is a problem.
DON’T move or change seats without permission. That will earn you a detention.
9. DO show respect for the teacher and other adult authorities by following Vista’s school rules.

6. DON’T display rude or inappropriate behavior; be physically or verbally abusive; don’t cheat (copy
Homework or test answers) or plagiarize, or vandalize desks, computers, or school property. Defiance of
Authority may lead to suspension or expulsion.
10. DO turn in all assignments the day they’re due for FULL credit. If you have an excused absence, work
Will be accepted according to school policy if it is done in a timely manner. If your work is late because
of
Computer/printer problems, a note of explanation is required from a parent attached to your
assignment.
DON’T wait until the last minute to do your work! Late work may not receive any credit.
11. DO check your grades on Edline and do let me know if there is a discrepancy. Any students wishing
to
Discuss their grades with me may do so during Advisory or during passing periods if time permits.
DON’T interrupt class to ask.
12. DO get an Independent Study form in the office prior to a planned trip (5 days or more), in order to
do
Your work while you are away. Some class work may be impossible to make up (group work, lectures
etc.)
13. DO KEEP ALL ELECRONIC DEVICES in backpacks or purses at ALL times and off your person.

7. Keep them turned “off” while in class. If you use them, you lose them. 1st
offense: pick them up at the
End of the day. 2
Nd and consecutive offenses: pick them up with parent/guardian from the VP’s office.
DON’T even attempt to text, read texts, make calls during class or during passing periods. It’s a social
Activity not an educational one and should be done before or after school, or during lunch…ONLY!!!
14. DO show respect for anyone who is speaking. Raise your hand and wait to be called on before you
speak.
DON’T interrupt anyone who is speaking. If I am speaking, hold your question until I am done please.
15. DO follow Vista’s Dress Code Policy. The poster is posted on the cabinet at the front of the class.
DON’T violate the policy, as you will be sent to the office and you will be given a change of clothes.
You are at school, which is a place of business; a place to learn. Raise the standards and show a
Classy not trashy self image and dress for success!
Student Signature ________________________________________