Expectations in Action

Travia Levine-Myers

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Expectations in Action Lesson Plan

Students will identify and apply the school’s three expectations—Respect, Responsibility, and Safety—by analyzing real‐world scenarios and creating personal action goals.

Establishing a shared behavior language builds a positive classroom culture, reduces conflicts, and empowers students to take ownership of their conduct.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive scenarios, group discussion, and personal reflection.

Materials

Expectations Scenario Cards, - Reflection Worksheet, and - School Expectations Poster

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Print and cut all Expectations Scenario Cards
Review the layout and questions on the Reflection Worksheet
Hang or project the School Expectations Poster at front of room
Familiarize yourself with each scenario to guide discussions

Step 1

Introduction to Expectations

5 minutes

Welcome students and introduce the lesson’s goal
Display the School Expectations Poster highlighting Respect, Responsibility, and Safety
Ask volunteers to define each term and share brief examples
Reinforce how these expectations guide daily behavior

Step 2

Scenario Group Activity

15 minutes

Divide class into small groups of 3–4
Give each group a set of Expectations Scenario Cards
Instruct groups to read each scenario and decide which expectation applies and why
Have students propose a positive action demonstrating that expectation and note it on the card

Step 3

Whole‐Class Debrief

7 minutes

Invite each group to present one scenario and their recommended response
Facilitate discussion on alternative ways to show Respect, Responsibility, or Safety
Emphasize links between group ideas and real classroom routines

Step 4

Individual Reflection

3 minutes

Distribute the Reflection Worksheet
Ask students to choose one expectation and write a personal goal for demonstrating it this week
Collect worksheets to review and provide feedback

Lesson Plan

Expectations in Action

Students will identify and apply the school’s three expectations—Respect, Responsibility, and Safety—by analyzing real-world scenarios and creating personal action goals to demonstrate each expectation.

Establishing a shared behavior language builds a positive classroom culture, reduces conflicts, and empowers students to take ownership of their conduct.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive scenarios, group discussion, and personal reflection.

Materials

Expectations Scenario Cards, - Reflection Worksheet, and - School Expectations Poster

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Print and cut all Expectations Scenario Cards
Review the layout and questions on the Reflection Worksheet
Hang or project the School Expectations Poster at the front of the room
Familiarize yourself with each scenario to guide discussions

Step 1

Introduction to Expectations

5 minutes

Display the School Expectations Poster and introduce Respect, Responsibility, and Safety
Ask volunteers to define each expectation and share brief examples
Emphasize how these expectations guide daily behavior and help everyone learn safely and respectfully

Step 2

Scenario Group Activity

15 minutes

Divide students into groups of 3–4
Distribute a set of Expectations Scenario Cards to each group
Have groups read each scenario, decide which expectation applies, and explain why
Instruct groups to propose a positive action that demonstrates the expectation and write it on the card

Step 3

Whole-Class Debrief

7 minutes

Invite each group to present one scenario and their recommended response
Facilitate discussion on alternative ways to show Respect, Responsibility, or Safety
Highlight connections between student ideas and classroom routines

Step 4

Individual Reflection

3 minutes

Distribute the Reflection Worksheet
Ask students to choose one expectation and write a personal goal for demonstrating it this week
Collect worksheets to review and provide feedback

Slide Deck

Expectations in Action

7th Grade │ Tier 1 Lesson │ 30 Minutes

Let’s learn how Respect, Responsibility, and Safety help us thrive!

Welcome students to our lesson on school-wide expectations. Briefly outline today’s plan and connect to a positive learning environment. Emphasize participation and respect for classmates.

Lesson Objectives

Identify the school’s three expectations: Respect, Responsibility, and Safety
Analyze real-world scenarios to determine which expectation applies
Create personal action goals to demonstrate each expectation

Walk through each objective. Ask students why each is important and how it helps our classroom.

Our School Expectations

Refer to the School Expectations Poster for definitions:

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Safety

Display the poster prominently. Define each term and invite volunteers to share examples from school life.

Sample Scenario

Scenario: During group discussion, Alex frequently talks over others and doesn’t listen when classmates speak.

Questions:

Which expectation is at play here?
What positive action could Alex take to demonstrate that expectation?

Encourage students to identify “Respect.” Guide them to suggest listening without interrupting, raising a hand to speak, and acknowledging others’ ideas.

Group Activity

Divide into groups of 3–4
Receive a set of Expectations Scenario Cards
Read each scenario and decide:
• Which expectation applies? Why?
• Propose a positive action and write it on the card

Ensure each group has a set of scenario cards. Circulate to support discussion and prompt quieter students to share ideas.

Whole-Class Debrief

Each group shares one scenario and their response
Discuss alternative ways to show Respect, Responsibility, or Safety
Connect ideas to daily classroom routines

Highlight connections between student suggestions and classroom routines. Reinforce positive examples.

Individual Reflection

Complete the Reflection Worksheet
Choose one expectation and write a personal goal for this week
Hand in your worksheet before you leave

Collect worksheets to review personal goals and provide feedback that encourages practical actions this week.

Activity

Scenario Cards

Use these cards in your Scenario Group Activity. Read each scenario, decide which expectation applies (Respect, Responsibility, or Safety), and propose a positive action to demonstrate that expectation. Write your responses directly on the card.

Card 1:

Scenario: During a group discussion, Alex frequently talks over others and doesn’t listen when classmates speak.

Which expectation applies? ________
Why? ________________________

Positive action: ________________________

Card 2:

Scenario: Jamie finishes lunch in the cafeteria and then leaves wrappers and spills on the table instead of throwing them away.

Which expectation applies? ________
Why? ________________________

Positive action: ________________________

Card 3:

Scenario: Sam is running in the hallway between classes, weaving through other students and almost bumping into someone carrying books.

Which expectation applies? ________
Why? ________________________

Positive action: ________________________

Card 4:

Scenario: Taylor repeatedly forgets to turn in homework, even after reminders, and asks to copy from classmates at the last minute.

Which expectation applies? ________
Why? ________________________

Positive action: ________________________

Card 5:

Scenario: Casey throws a pencil across the room when frustrated by a difficult question, and it nearly hits another student.

Which expectation applies? ________
Why? ________________________

Positive action: ________________________

Card 6:

Scenario: Morgan consistently arrives late to class, disrupting the teacher’s lesson and interrupting classmates who are working quietly.

Which expectation applies? ________
Why? ________________________

Positive action: ________________________

Card 7:

Scenario: Jordan makes fun of another student’s drawing in art class, causing the student to feel embarrassed and upset.

Which expectation applies? ________
Why? ________________________

Positive action: ________________________

Card 8:

Scenario: Riley uses their phone to play games during a lesson, ignoring the teacher and missing important instructions.

Which expectation applies? ________
Why? ________________________

Positive action: ________________________

Worksheet

Reflection Worksheet

Think about our school’s three expectations: Respect, Responsibility, and Safety. Choose one expectation to focus on this week and complete the prompts below.

The expectation I chose is: ___________________________
Why did I choose this expectation?
My personal goal for demonstrating this expectation this week is:
Specific actions I will take to achieve my goal:
a. ____________________________________________

b. ____________________________________________

c. ____________________________________________
When and how often will I practice these actions?
How will I know I’ve met my goal by the end of the week?
How does focusing on this expectation help our classroom be a positive learning environment?

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

Cool Down

Exit Ticket

Name: ___________________________ Date: ________________

Instructions: List each of our school’s three expectations—Respect, Responsibility, and Safety—and provide one example from today’s lesson that shows how we demonstrated it.

Respect:

Example: ____________________________
Responsibility:

Example: ____________________________
Safety:

Example: ____________________________