Respect Rulebook

Kaitlin LaPine

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Respect Rulebook Lesson Plan

Students will understand and practice respectful behaviors—listening without interrupting and following group expectations—by engaging in active listening exercises and co-creating a class respect rulebook.

Building respect skills fosters a positive classroom climate, reduces disruptions, and equips 10th graders with lifelong social skills valuable in academics and beyond.

Audience

10th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive activities and collaborative rule-setting.

Materials

Chart Paper, - Markers, - Respect Scenario Cards, - Active Listening Checklist, and - Timer or Stopwatch

Prep

Prepare Scenario and Checklist Materials

10 minutes

Print and cut out the Respect Scenario Cards for small-group role-plays.
Make enough copies of the Active Listening Checklist for each student.
Arrange chairs in a circle to facilitate discussion.
Review the lesson flow and gather chart paper and markers.

Step 1

Introduction and Warm-Up

5 minutes

Welcome students and state the lesson objective.
Ask: “What does respect look and sound like in our classroom?”
Record student responses on chart paper to display throughout the lesson.

Step 2

Active Listening Practice

10 minutes

Distribute the Active Listening Checklist to each student.
Model active listening behaviors (eye contact, nodding, no interrupting).
Pair students; one speaker shares a brief personal story while the listener uses the checklist.
After 2 minutes, partners switch roles.

Step 3

Establishing Group Expectations

10 minutes

Invite students to brainstorm respectful behaviors based on the warm-up and listening practice.
List ideas on chart paper under the heading “Respect Rulebook.”
Facilitate discussion to refine and agree on 5–7 clear, student-generated expectations.
Ensure each expectation is positively phrased (e.g., “Listen when others speak”).

Step 4

Applying Respectful Behaviors

5 minutes

Divide students into small groups of 3 and give each group a Respect Scenario Cards.
Groups role-play their scenario, demonstrating both respectful and disrespectful choices.
After each role-play, classmates identify which respect rule was followed or broken using the class rulebook.

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Slide Deck

Respect Rulebook

10th Grade Advisory Session
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Tier 2 (Group Support)

Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s advisory topic: creating our class Respect Rulebook. Explain that we’ll learn about respectful behaviors and work together to set expectations.

Session Objectives

By the end of this session, you will:

Recognize respectful behaviors in our classroom.
Practice active listening techniques.
Co-create and agree on a class Respect Rulebook.
Apply respectful behaviors through role-play.

Read the objectives aloud. Emphasize why respect matters in school and beyond.

Warm-Up: Defining Respect

What does respect look and sound like in our classroom?
• Be specific (gestures, words, tone)
• Listen without interrupting
• Follow group expectations

Prompt students with the question. Write their responses on chart paper. Encourage specific examples.

Active Listening Explained

Active listening includes:
• Giving full attention (eye contact)
• Using nonverbal cues (nodding)
• Waiting until the speaker finishes
• Asking clarifying questions

Introduce the concept. Show the checklist and model the behaviors: eye contact, nodding, no interruptions.

Active Listening Practice

Pair up with a classmate.
Speaker shares a brief story (2 minutes).
Listener uses the Active Listening Checklist.
Switch roles and repeat.

Explain the pair activity. Distribute the Active Listening Checklist. Set a 2-minute timer for each role.

Establishing Expectations

Brainstorm respectful behaviors:
• Listen when others speak
• Use polite language
• Respect personal space
• Follow classroom routines
• Support classmates

Gather ideas and add them to the chart under “Respect Rulebook.” Guide students to positive phrasing.

Our Respect Rulebook

(Agree on 5–7 rules)

Refine student suggestions down to 5–7 clear, positively phrased rules. Record each on chart paper for reference.

Applying Respectful Behaviors

In groups of 3, read your scenario card.
Role-play both respectful and disrespectful responses.
Classmates identify which rule was followed or broken.

Explain the final activity. Distribute the Respect Scenario Cards and assign groups of three.

Wrap-Up & Reflection

• How did active listening feel?
• Which rule was hardest to follow?
• How will our Respect Rulebook improve our class?

Lead a brief reflection. Ask volunteers: What did we learn? How will these rules help our classroom?

Worksheet

Active Listening Checklist

Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________

Instructions: While your partner speaks, place a checkmark next to each behavior you demonstrate or observe.

Maintained eye contact
Used nonverbal cues (nodded, facial expressions)
Did not interrupt the speaker
Stayed focused (no phone or other distractions)
Asked clarifying questions after they finished
Paraphrased or summarized what you heard
Kept an open and welcoming posture

Reflection: What did I do well? What will I work on improving next time?

Activity

Respect Scenario Cards

Instructions: In your group of three, read your scenario card aloud. First, role-play the disrespectful version of the scenario. Then, role-play the respectful version, showing how you could handle the situation following our Respect Rulebook. After each role-play, discuss which rule was followed or broken.

Card 1: Interrupting the Teacher
Your teacher is explaining the instructions for a group project. Student A keeps whispering questions to Student B before the teacher finishes talking.

Card 2: Group Work Etiquette
Three students are assigned to complete a poster. Student C grabs the marker and starts drawing without asking or including the others.

Card 3: Respecting Personal Space
In the hallway, Student D stands too close to Student E, leaning over their locker while they talk.

Card 4: Using Polite Language
During a class discussion, Student F makes a sarcastic comment about another student’s idea, causing laughter.

Card 5: Listening Without Interrupting
Student G is sharing a story about their weekend. Student H keeps finishing G’s sentences and changing the subject.

Card 6: Following Classroom Routines
The class is lining up quietly after an activity. Student I is running around, refusing to join the line until reminded.

After your group finishes, be prepared to share one respectful strategy that helped improve the interaction.