Citizenship: Home, School, and Community
Session 4: Rules at School

Materials

• Chart paper and markers
• Pencils and crayons
• Pictures of school places

Instructional Activities

1. Explain that the class is going to develop classroom rules, and talk about why rules are important. The rules at school are to help keep students safe, to help students get along and work together, and to help students learn.
   
   
2. Encourage students to share their ideas of what rules are needed in the classroom to help keep them safe, to help them get along and work together, and to help them learn. Keep the responses positive, saying what students should do instead of what they should not do.
   
   
3. Write the student responses on chart paper, and discuss each rule with the class. Use small pictures to help students recognize words they may not understand.
   
   
4. Have students write or draw in their journal a picture about one of the rules in the class. Students could also draw pictures of class rules to post in the classroom. Allow each student the opportunity to discuss and share his/her picture and the rule it illustrates.
   
   
5. Allow students a chance to role-play the situation of a new student coming to their class and the ways they would help him or her learn about the rules in their classroom.
   
   
6. Ask students, “What should we do if someone breaks the classroom rules?” Solicit responses, and guide the discussion in a positive manner. Discuss with students the consequences for breaking each of these rules. Record the responses on chart paper.
   
   
7. Communicate with the parents/guardians of the students the rules of the classroom and consequences when they are not followed.
   
   
8. Post the rules and consequences in the classroom, and refer to the chart as necessary during the year.
   
   
9. Complete this session by reading a teacher-selected book about rules in the classroom.