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How to Make Classroom Contracts for Kids

On the first day of school, teachers know it is essential to set the ground rules right away in a classroom, especially with elementary-aged children. As important as guidelines are, sometimes children act out against the rules you set if they feel they are not fair. You can eliminate this issue by working with the children to create a classroom contract as a first-day-of-school activity. Allow the kids to give suggestions on rules they believe are fair for the class. This way there are no excuses or complaints about consequences when someone breaks a rule.

Things You'll Need

  • Poster board
  • Plain white paper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brainstorm with the class. Ask the children about rules and guidelines that help keep them safe and happy in school, as well as honesty and integrity rules such as not looking at someone else's paper during a test. You may get suggestions such as no running in the hallway, raising your hand or no standing on tables. Write down all of the ideas, even silly ones that the children come up with. Add your own suggestions as well if some of the important guidelines have not come up.

    • 2

      Write down the official rules or guidelines on a large poster board. Discuss the most important ideas from the board and try to make sure everyone is in agreement. Circle these ideas, then copy them onto a poster board that you will tape up on the classroom wall for the kids to see every day.

    • 3

      Copy the classroom guidelines down on a piece of paper, and then make photocopies and give one to each child. Explain to the children that these are contracts stating that the children agree to abide by the rules the class has come up with together. Have the children take it home and go over it with their parents. Both the child and a parent or guardian should sign it so that you know that you the teacher, the child and parent all have an understanding of the rules.

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