One of the most important things you can do is communicate expectations early and often.    This is true when you are a boss, parent, or a teacher.   It leaves a lot of confusion behind so you can focus on getting things done (and having some fun along the way).   If you are teaching virtually this year, you need to establish expectations early.  This will be done by creating virtual classroom rules for students.

This is new to the kids and to many of you.  If you are teaching your first online course make sure to check out that post.   One of the foundational pieces is rules.

Rules will change with the subject you teach, technology you use,  and the age of your students.   I’m sharing some of my favorite classroom rules I’ve found around the web.

The first one is a simple download with 5 rules.  This is a good starting point.  Your school district may have specific rules you need to add or modify.

Virtual Classroom Rules

Teach 4 the Heart has a download ready for you.  This simple set of rules covers 5 expectations:

1. Mute yourself except when you have the floor.
2.  Raise your hand virtually for permission to speak.
   (One person talks at a time.)
3.  Keep your video on for attendance purposes.
4. Avoid distracting backgrounds or actions.
5.  Encourage each other with appropriate response emojis.

Still thinking about what you want to include in your virtual classroom rules and procedures?

Team TPT shared a great post about things to consider when creating your rules and procedures.   It reinforces the principles I discussed in teaching an online course –    really focus on creating a community in your classroom so that everyone wants to follow any expectations that are created.  Make sure that connection and communication are always front of mind when creating rules.  Let students help create some if not all of the rules.   Remember that younger students will need more guidance and encouragement while older students may have great ideas to add to your class rules.

More Virtual Classroom Expectation Examples and Freebies

Jill Pherrin is sharing a free set of adorable virtual classroom rules for lower elementary.

If you are looking for something for older kids or to use your bitmoji then check out this FREE editable set from Creative Conny

A Trailblazing Teacher has a free set with real images that is ready to go into your Google Drive with one click.

Katie Minor has an editable PowerPoint with guidelines for using chat during distance learning.

Teachers of Joy are offering a set of free virtual classroom rules that are in both Spanish and English!

Have you made your Virtual Classroom Rules for Students yet?

I hope this gives you some ideas or even better you can use one of these to establish the rules and procedures for a great year.  Make sure that you also communicate your expectations to the adults in the household so that everyone is one the same page.  By the way,  have you made your virtual classroom yet?