Build a sense of community and help students understand the purpose and need for rules, responsibilities, and respect in the classroom. This lesson allows students the opportunity to brainstorm their own ideas and reflect on the importance of these aspects of the classroom environment.
Learning Objective
Students will be able to distinguish between rules and laws and describe ways to show responsibility and respect in the classroom.
Introduction
Students begin by learning about rules and laws and are presented with examples of each. Then they will decide if a statement like “Do not litter” is a rule or a law.
Instruction
Students learn about rules and laws and practice distinguishing between the two. Discuss how rules and laws help to keep students safe and happy. Then students are presented with examples of respect like taking turns, sharing with others, and listening attentively. Students brainstorm their own ideas of what respect looks and sounds like. Finally, they will learn about being responsible in the classroom and doing things like keeping their desks neat and completing classroom jobs, like “line leader” or “door holder.”
Quiz
Check student understanding with ten multiple-choice and true/false questions.
Closing
Students reflect on why rules and laws are important. To conclude, students spin a wheel and, depending on where they land, provide an example of a rule, a law, respect, or responsibilities.
