What You Need to Know about Classroom Rules Posters

Did you know that I have a lead foot when driving? 🥴 Absolutely I do! And do you know how classroom rules posters are related to unsafe driving?

Every time I step into the car when I am late (which is too often I’m afraid) I forget about the speed zone. D’you know what helps me become a safe driver again?

Speed limit signs. Classroom rules posters work the same way.

These types of posters, or anchor charts, are an effective tool for creating and keeping a positive and productive learning environment. They are visual reminders of expected behaviours, which is what speed limit signs do.

When you post the classroom rules posters there is no room for excuses and arguments.

And, yes, it is true. I forget about the speed every single time. I also forget every single winter morning that I need to leave time to scrape the ice off of the windows.

But, I do set my clocks ahead by 5 minutes so it all works out for the good.😁

dark green and beige background, icon for a set of editable anchor charts for the classroom, text that reads, "effective classroom management with classroom rules anchor charts"

What are anchor charts?

Anchor charts are visual tools that support lessons by showing key concepts, strategies, processes and guidelines.

Classroom rules posters are just anchor charts that contain the classroom expectations and rules.

The best anchor charts are created collaboratively with the students.

Anchor charts benefits

Anchor charts benefit your classroom by:

Enhancing student understanding
Providing a visual reminder of learning
Promoting independence.

Anchor charts, and classroom rules posters, are research based. The are especially supported in the areas of visual and collaborative learning research.

I will share more on the research below.

Are anchor charts an instructional strategy?

Absolutely! Anchor charts are widely used to support various aspects of teaching and learning.

Why are anchor charts helpful . . .

They help students to solidify their understanding using a visual representation of key concepts.

Well designed classroom rules posters will use images and language that teach, reaffirm and reinforce classroom rules and expectations.

What is the importance of classroom rules posters

Simply put they support classroom management by providing clear (essential) and consistent (vital) reminders of the classroom rules.

By making the classroom expectations and rules clear, consistent and accessible they support classroom management while also promoting student autonomy by reducing repetitive questions.

If you are undecided about the importance of classroom expectations and rules, please consider the post, “Eleven Important Examples of Classroom Expectations and Rules” or, “5 Reasons Why Classroom Rules Are Important”

Or, perhaps you are already on board for “why” behind creating classroom expectations and rules. So then the question is really about whether or not to post them.

Because, the truth is, that too many posted visuals can be a distraction to your students as I discussed in, “How To Decorate A Classroom In A Differentiated Classroom”.

Why do classroom rules posters make the cut? 🤔

Visual learning

Visual aids significantly enhance learning and retention. It is because anchor charts are so valuable that we also need to be careful to discern what always stays up, and what comes down.

Classroom rules posters can improve understanding and memory of classroom expectations and rules by providing both visual and verbal representations which helps students to process and recall information.

Collaborative Learning

Social interactions are important for learning, and when anchor charts are created collaboratively with students the meaning becomes more meaningful and memorable.

This is why the anchor charts that I have created have the option of writing or typing on the classroom expectations you create together. There are pictures that give you guidance, and you can formulate the actual expectation together as the actual first lesson in a subject area.

Scaffolding

Scaffolding students means that students can achieve greater understanding when offered structured guidance.

In math this could be as simple as differentiated content in a worksheet or activity, or access to a tool that helps them to complete their math facts accurately prior to having committed them to memory.

Similarly classroom rules posters, or anchor charts, are just a visual reference that provide a visual reference to support their independence and learning over time.

Cognitive Load Theory or CLT

Wow, that’s a heading! CLT just means that when students have to use their memory less they can learn more.

Posters give your students a visual references so that your students don’t need to hold multiple pieces of information in their working memory.

Lower CLT, which facilitates learning.

Repetition and Consistency

Repetition is crucial for retaining information, and classroom rules posters provide a constant visual reminder of classroom expectations and rules. This repetition reinforces their learning through the repeated exposure.

Each of these points highlights the effectiveness of anchor charts in general, and why prioritizing classroom rules posters is a powerful and effective tool for classroom management.

They are a research-based instructional strategy that supports visual learning, collaborative learning, student scaffolding, cognitive load management and repetition.

Not too shabby, I’d say! 😅

Creating effective classroom rules posters

Because a significant part of the value of classroom rules posters is in the visual component of the poster, it is important that they are both visually appealing and functional.

There are many teachers who are capable of drawing adorable figures that support the classroom rules stated on the posters.

I am not.

People like me need to choose attractive and age appropriate clipart or photos. My husband teaches high school, while grades 1 and 2 are my jam.

We would definitely choose different clipart. I choose clipart of children that are the same age or a little older looking than my students. Clipart children who look younger than the children in your class can offend some kiddos.

Also, use simple language that coordinates with the visuals, and ensure readability from different parts of the room.

Or use classroom rules posters at the station or part of the room where the expectations apply.

Navy background with a green ribbon on top and bottom. Text that reads, "well-designed classroom rules posters reaffirm and reinforce classroom rules and expectations. Anchor charts to support classroom management

How to display classroom rules posters

So, having prioritized classroom rules posters, now the question is how to display classroom rules posters.

As I mentioned earlier, even though anchor charts in general are an evidence-based and effective classroom management strategy and instructional strategy, it is important to keep down the visual overwhelm.

Obviously, you are not going to leave the vocabulary chart for studying the parts of an animal for your study of life cycles when you have moved on to studying force and motion, or light and sound.

Keeping up only what is relevant is key to cutting clutter, and this is possible with classroom rules posters as well.

In my class I would project the classroom rules poster for art clean up towards the end of the lesson. I would not keep it up all of the time.

But for lining up, for example, I would have my expectations for lining up posted near every door for as long as necessary, even if it was needed all year long.

Typically I would go through the expectations every time we lined up until I could see that they were following the expectations without reminder. Then a brief run through after long breaks was typically all that was required.

How to teach class rules using classroom rules posters

Simple, simple, simple!

I have covered this in an earlier blog post, but the abbreviated version is below.

1) Establish the rules together – including student input encourages student engagement, acceptance and observance.

2) Discuss the rules and establish why each rule is important

3) Include symbols or drawings of each rule to support understanding.

4) Use activities like bingo, crossword puzzles or word searches to reinforce the expectations

5) Review the classroom rules posters prior to the lesson for which they will be applicable

6) Reinforce, if necessary, with opportunities to “practice” the expectation at recess.

7) Affirm students by name whenever you see them following the rules. This praise can have an ebb and flow. When students need to be reminded restart your affirmations, when they are remembering the rules prioritize your affirmations elsewhere.

8) Tell your students every time someone comments on what a well-behaved classroom they are.

Classroom rules posters: the foundation of your classroom management

Anchor charts, which in this case are classroom rules posters, are valuable tools for establishing and maintaining classroom expectations and rules.

Using these tools effectively supports you as you create a structured, supportive, and visually engaging learning environment that supports students’ success.

Classroom rules posters speak for you. When created collaboratively you become the instrument of supporting a safe place as opposed to being the rule maker.

If creating all of the classroom rules posters collaboratively becomes overwhelming, focus on just those that need the most student engagement. Take one step at a time. You’ve got this!