The start of a new school year brings fresh energy and endless possibilities to build a strong foundation and positive environment in your classroom. One of the most effective strategies for first grade classroom management is starting with a proactive, positive approach to help your students take ownership of their behavior and the learning environment. Effective classroom management involves rules, expectations, and Classroom Promises. You may be wondering, “What are Classroom Promises, and do they really work?”. The short answer is YES. Now, lean in, because this post is going to explain all you need to know about Classroom Promises and how they can support a caring, cooperative classroom space that lasts all year long!
You know that feeling when the day flows so smoothly because your students knew exactly what was expected of them? THAT is the magic of proactive classroom management.
Instead of constantly reacting to problems, you:
Research promoted by the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports backs this up, too! Proactive behavior strategies have been shown to improve engagement, decrease disruptive behaviors, and increase academic outcomes— especially in early elementary classrooms.
With proactive steps, you can be confident that your classroom is a predictable, safe space where students learn and THRIVE!
When it comes to first grade classroom management, understanding the difference between rules and expectations is key.
Rules are your classroom’s guiding principles. They are simple, non-negotiable statements necessary for a positive learning environment. They should center around safety, respect, and engagement.
Examples of Classroom Rules:
Classroom rules should be minimal, consistent, and easy to remember.
Expectations are HOW students show the rules in real-life situations. While there are only a few rules, there are many expectations.
Use this Classroom Rules & Expectations Resource to teach these behaviors at the beginning of the school year— and revisit as needed!
Now let’s talk about an absolute game-changer in classroom management with first graders: classroom promises!
Classroom Promises are a kid-friendly and developmentally appropriate way to understand expectations. Classroom Promises describe the behaviors we WANT to see in our classroom.
They are simple, meaningful statements that show ways to create a positive, supportive classroom community.
So, back to the original question, “Do classroom promises really work?”… the resounding answer is— YES, they do!
Teach Classroom Promises to your students in ways that are movement-based and age-appropriate to make learning as impactful as possible using interactive resources and activities like the ones found in the Classroom Rules and Expectations Set.
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Introduce Classroom Promises and Classroom Promises using an interactive pocket chart sort. You can choose from over 40 colorful behavior cards. Read each behavior card and sort them as a group. Your students will be so excited to come up and help you sort the cards! Keep the chart on display as your students are practicing expectations!
*Keep your behavior cards nicely organized in a storage box for quick reviews and behavior check-ins throughout the year!
Classroom management is always more fun with movement! To get started, hang the Classroom Promises poster on one wall of your classroom and the Classroom Promises poster on the opposite wall. Read a behavior card aloud to your class. Your students will decide if the behavior is a Promise or a Problem and move to the matching poster. This activity makes a great Brain Break or transition activity in the first few weeks of school!
Invite students to write and draw personal promises they want to keep in the classroom.
Use an easy-to-understand and exciting book to help kids internalize Classroom Promises more easily. LeBron James’s book I Promise is a perfect choice to help kids think about who they are and who they want to be inside the classroom.
Use the interactive, paperless slides to review your Classroom Promises with your students or to start productive classroom discussions. Planning for a substitute? Have your sub use these slides with your students to review expectations for the day!
Introducing and practicing classroom promises is just the start. You’ll want to revisit them throughout the year to keep them fresh on your kids’ minds.
Use real-life scenarios to help students remember how to incorporate their classroom promises, and celebrate as you see the positive behaviors in action!
Check out the growing series about classroom promises and expectations in different areas in and around school:
Find resources that target all of these school spaces and situations in the School Promises and Expectations Big Bundle.
Remember, Classroom Promises align perfectly with proactive classroom management. It’s not about correcting distracting behaviors or controlling your students’ every move— it’s about creating a community where students understand values and take responsibility for their actions. Whether you’re starting a new year or hitting reset after Winter Break, classroom promises are a powerful tool to add to your first grade classroom management toolkit!
Start small, be consistent, and build a classroom where promises matter— and kids are excited to live up to them!
I’m a teacher who believes in creating a classroom kids love and activities that keep them engaged all day!
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