Lesson Plan
Beginning of Year Classroom Expectations
Students will collaboratively identify, discuss, and practice key classroom expectations—Respect, Responsibility, and Safety—then co-create a class agreement and reflect on personal commitments to build a positive learning community.
Establishing clear, student-driven expectations fosters mutual respect, reduces behavioral issues, and creates a supportive environment where 7th-grade special education students feel safe and engaged from day one.
Audience
7th Grade Special Education Resource Classroom Students
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and collaborative activities.
Materials
Classroom Expectations Poster, Respect Role-Play Cards, Expectation Reflection Worksheet, Group Agreement Chart Template, Index Cards, Markers (various colors), and Whiteboard and markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Print and display the Classroom Expectations Poster in a visible area
- Print and cut the Respect Role-Play Cards
- Make copies of the Expectation Reflection Worksheet for each student
- Prepare the Group Agreement Chart Template on chart paper or digital board
- Gather index cards and markers
Step 1
Warm-Up: Respect Memory
10 minutes
- Distribute index cards and markers to students
- Ask students to think of a time they felt respected or disrespected in a classroom
- Have each student write a brief sentence about their experience and draw a symbol representing respect or disrespect
- Collect the cards for later discussion
Step 2
Introduction: Define Expectations
15 minutes
- Draw three columns on the whiteboard labeled Respect, Responsibility, Safety
- Display the Classroom Expectations Poster
- Discuss each expectation term, inviting student definitions and examples
- Record student ideas under each column
Step 3
Activity: Role-Play Practice
30 minutes
- Divide students into pairs and give each pair a set of Respect Role-Play Cards
- Explain that each card contains a scenario related to classroom expectations
- Students take turns acting out their scenario and demonstrating respectful responses
- After each role-play, partners discuss what they did well and how it aligns with the expectations
- Rotate cards so pairs practice multiple scenarios
- Conclude with a brief whole-class share-out of key takeaways
Step 4
Group Work: Create Agreement
20 minutes
- Arrange students into small groups and distribute the Group Agreement Chart Template
- Ask groups to list five specific behaviors that reflect Respect, Responsibility, and Safety in the classroom
- Encourage use of student-generated examples from earlier discussions
- Have each group present their chart, and collaboratively merge ideas into a single class agreement displayed in the room
Step 5
Cool-Down: Reflection and Commitment
15 minutes
- Hand out the Expectation Reflection Worksheet
- Ask students to reflect on the class agreement and write down two personal commitments on how they will demonstrate Respect, Responsibility, and Safety
- Invite volunteers to share one commitment with the class
- Collect worksheets for teacher review
Slide Deck
Ready, Set, Respect!
Welcome to our kick-off lesson on classroom expectations.
Today we will:
- Reflect on Respect
- Define our key expectations
- Practice through role-plays
- Co-create a class agreement
- Make personal commitments
Welcome students to “Ready, Set, Respect!” Introduce today’s agenda: Warm-Up, Define Expectations, Role-Play, Group Agreement, Reflection. Explain that we’ll be building our class community around Respect, Responsibility, and Safety.
Warm-Up: Respect Memory
• Think of a time you felt respected or disrespected in a classroom.
• On an index card, write one sentence about your experience.
• Draw a symbol that represents respect or disrespect.
(We’ll use these to spark our discussion later.)
Distribute index cards and markers. Explain the Warm-Up: Respect Memory. Collect cards for later discussion.
Introduction: Define Expectations
Our Three Classroom Expectations:
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Safety
• What does each word mean to you?
• Share examples of each in our classroom.
Display the Classroom Expectations Poster. Draw three columns on the board labeled Respect, Responsibility, Safety. Invite students to define each and share examples; record their ideas.
Activity: Role-Play Practice
In pairs:
- Pick a scenario from the Respect Role-Play Cards.
- Act out the scenario, demonstrating a respectful response.
- Discuss with your partner:
- What did you do well?
- How did it show Respect, Responsibility, or Safety?
- Rotate and try a new card.
Then we’ll share key takeaways.
Group students into pairs and hand out Respect Role-Play Cards. Circulate to support and prompt discussion. After each role-play, ask pairs to share one highlight with the class.
Group Work: Create Agreement
In your group:
• Use the Group Agreement Chart Template.
• List 5 specific behaviors that show Respect, Responsibility, and Safety.
• Be sure to use examples we discussed.
Each group will present and we’ll combine ideas into our class agreement.
Arrange students into small groups. Provide each group with the Group Agreement Chart Template. Guide groups as they merge ideas into one class agreement.
Cool-Down: Reflection & Commitment
• On your Expectation Reflection Worksheet, write two personal commitments for how you will demonstrate:
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Safety
• Volunteer to share one of your commitments.
• Turn in your worksheet when finished.
Distribute Expectation Reflection Worksheets. Provide support as students write. Invite volunteers to share before collecting worksheets.
Next Steps & Closing
Great work today!
• Our class agreement will be posted on the wall.
• Refer to it daily to guide our behavior.
• Let’s hold each other accountable to Respect, Responsibility, and Safety.
Reinforce the importance of living by our class agreement every day. Remind students where the agreement will be posted and encourage them to refer to it.
Activity
Classroom Expectations Poster
Make our classroom a great place to learn! Use this poster to remind us of our three key expectations each day.
🤝 Respect
Definition: Treat everyone with kindness and consideration.
- Listen when others are speaking.
- Use polite words (please, thank you, excuse me).
- Honor personal space and property.
📝 Responsibility
Definition: Take charge of your actions and learning.
- Be prepared (materials, homework, supplies).
- Follow directions the first time they are given.
- Admit mistakes and try to fix them.
🛡️ Safety
Definition: Keep yourself and others free from harm.
- Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
- Walk, don’t run, inside the classroom.
- Report unsafe conditions to an adult immediately.
Hang this poster where everyone can see it. Let’s practice Respect, Responsibility, and Safety every day!
Activity
Respect Role-Play Cards
Print and cut along the lines below. Each card shows a classroom scenario. In pairs, take turns acting out what happens next—demonstrating a respectful response—and then discuss how your response shows Respect, Responsibility, or Safety.
Card 1
Scenario: The teacher is giving directions, but your classmate keeps talking.
• How do you show respect to both your classmate and the teacher?
Card 2
Scenario: You need a pencil, but the person next to you is using yours without asking.
• How can you respond responsibly and respectfully?
Card 3
Scenario: A group member is upset because they don’t understand the instructions.
• Role-play how you would help, showing kindness and patience.
Card 4
Scenario: You see someone drop their work on the floor.
• Demonstrate how you would help them and keep the classroom safe.
Card 5
Scenario: Your friend makes a joke about another student’s project.
• Act out a respectful way to address hurt feelings.
Card 6
Scenario: You finish early and notice your partner is still working.
• Show responsibility by offering to help or staying quiet until they’re done.
Card 7
Scenario: A classmate accidentally bumps your chair hard enough to hurt you.
• Role-play how you will respond to keep the situation calm and respectful.
Card 8
Scenario: You need to ask a question but everyone is listening.
• Show respect by signaling or waiting for an appropriate time to speak.
Worksheet
Expectation Reflection Worksheet
Name: _______________________ Date: ____________
1. Understanding Our Expectations
a. In your own words, what does Respect mean in our classroom?
b. In your own words, what does Responsibility mean in our classroom?
c. In your own words, what does Safety mean in our classroom?
2. Reflecting on Our Class Agreement
Look at our final class agreement that we created together. Think about the behaviors we listed.
Which expectation (Respect, Responsibility, or Safety) do you think is most important for you to practice every day? Why?
3. My Personal Commitments
Below, write two specific actions you will do to demonstrate each expectation. Be clear so you can follow through!
Respect
1. __________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________
Responsibility
1. __________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________
Safety
1. __________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________
4. Setting a Reminder
What is one thing you can do each morning or afternoon to remind yourself of these commitments? (Example: Put a note in my binder, tell a friend, create a drawing on my desk.)
Great work! Keep this worksheet in your binder to help you practice Respect, Responsibility, and Safety every day.
Activity
Group Agreement Chart Template
Use this chart to list five specific behaviors that show each expectation. Work with your group to fill in each column.
| Respect | Responsibility | Safety |
|---|---|---|
| 1. ____________________________ | 1. ____________________________ | 1. ____________________________ |
| 2. ____________________________ | 2. ____________________________ | 2. ____________________________ |
| 3. ____________________________ | 3. ____________________________ | 3. ____________________________ |
| 4. ____________________________ | 4. ____________________________ | 4. ____________________________ |
| 5. ____________________________ | 5. ____________________________ | 5. ____________________________ |
Group Members: _________________________________
Date: ____________________