Teaching Classroom and School Expectations: A Back-to-School Guide for Elementary Students
We have officially been back to school a week now! As the new school year is starting, establishing clear expectations and positive behavior choices is essential for creating a supportive learning environment, especially for our younger students. As a school social worker, I've discovered effective strategies that not only teach these expectations but also engage and empower lower elementary students. Here’s how you can set the stage for success using engaging activities and valuable resources tailored for younger learners:
Setting Clear Expectations
Setting clear expectations from the beginning helps lower elementary students thrive academically and socially. Here’s how to establish and communicate expectations effectively:
Classroom Rules: Introduce simple and age-appropriate classroom rules using visual cues such as posters with colorful illustrations and easy-to-understand language.
Behavioral Expectations: Discuss expected behaviors like sharing, taking turns, using kind words, and following directions. Use stories and examples that resonate with young children.
Classroom Jobs: Assign simple classroom jobs that promote responsibility and cooperation among students, reinforcing positive behaviors. This is also a way to get some of your more restless students up and moving as needed.
Teaching Positive and Negative Behavior Choices
Teaching about positive and negative behavior choices is crucial for helping young students navigate social interactions and academic settings. Here’s how to approach this topic:
Storytelling and Role-Playing: Use storytelling and role-playing activities to illustrate positive behaviors such as kindness, empathy, and helping others. Encourage students to act out scenarios and discuss appropriate responses.
Interactive Discussions: Engage students in discussions about the consequences of their actions. Ask open-ended questions to prompt critical thinking about why certain behaviors are positive or negative.
Behavior Charts: Implement behavior charts or visual trackers that allow students to monitor their own behavior and strive towards positive goals. Celebrate achievements with small rewards or praise.
Introducing Social Stories and Worksheets
Social stories and worksheets tailored for lower elementary students can effectively reinforce behavior expectations and promote social-emotional learning. Here’s how these resources can benefit your classroom:
Social Stories: Use simple and engaging social stories to teach specific behaviors and routines, such as raising hands, listening attentively, or sharing toys. Illustrate stories with colorful visuals that capture children's attention.
Worksheets and Activities: Provide interactive worksheets and activities that encourage self-reflection, problem-solving, and positive behavior reinforcement. Include fun exercises like coloring, matching, and drawing to keep young learners engaged.
If you are looking for an engaging lesson to incorporate with your students I have the prefect low-prep option for you. You can find the lesson here.
Teaching classroom and school expectations to lower elementary students sets the foundation for a positive and inclusive learning environment where every child can thrive. By focusing on clear expectations, positive behavior choices, and utilizing age-appropriate resources like social stories and worksheets, you can create a nurturing space where young learners feel supported and empowered to succeed. Explore the resources available in my TpT store to discover a variety of social stories and worksheets that promote positive behavior choices and support student success.