The first few weeks of kindergarten are so crucial for teaching behavior expectations and setting the stage for a positive classroom all year long. Young learners really do thrive when they know exactly what's expected of them and that means we need to explicitly teach, model, and reinforce those behaviors from day one. One of my favorite ways to do this is through good and bad choices activities, behavior sorts, and think sheets, and I want to share exactly how I use them!
Teaching Behavior Expectations in the First Weeks of School
I spend a lot of time on classroom expectations at the start of the year. What works best for my kindergartners is making it hands-on and visual. Instead of just telling them the rules, I am actually letting them sort, discuss, and practice what good choices look and feel like.
Here's what I do:
We start with a whole-group behavior sort where students decide together whether different actions are good or bad choices. I love this because it gets kids talking and thinking, and it gives me a chance to hear their reasoning. You might be surprised what they come up with! Then students practice independently with their own sort.
I also use this as a great mid-year refresher. When January rolls around and students need a little reminder of expectations, pulling these back out is so much more engaging than just reviewing the rules again.
Good and Bad Choices Activities
The behavior sort is simple but so effective. Students identify whether an action is a good or bad choice, sort cards independently, illustrate or write about positive behavior, and color an emergent reader that reinforces classroom expectations.
(Note: this student sort is included as a freebie at the end of the post)
The emergent reader is one of my favorite parts — students get their own little book to color, and it doubles as a take-home reminder of classroom expectations for families too!
Encouraging Positive Behavior with Visual Supports
To help keep students focused and motivated throughout the year, I use visual behavior posters in my classroom. I love choosing one expectation to focus on each week and displaying it as a visual reminder.
You can also turn it into a little game — I've included small certificates that you can give out when you catch students showing that expectation. Kids go absolutely crazy for those little certificates!
Holding Students Accountable: Visual Think Sheets
Teaching expectations is just the first step but helping students reflect on their choices is what really helps them internalize positive behavior. That's why I use visual think sheets that work beautifully for kindergarten, Pre-K, and special education students.
Students simply color what they did and what better choice they could make next time. It's accessible for early learners, perfect for parent communication, and great for documentation if you ever need it. This also works well for having discussions with students about their behavior.
Cool Down Strategies for Self-Regulation
Some students need extra support managing their emotions, and I love having cool-down strategy visuals posted in the classroom so kids have something to reference when they're feeling overwhelmed. Things like deep breathing, drawing, or moving to a quiet space give students healthy tools to self-regulate before things escalate.
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Grab These Behavior Management Resources!
You can find all of these activities in my Kindergarten Think Sheet and SEL in my TpT store.
And don't forget to grab the free Good and Bad Choices Student Sort — it's a perfect way to try this out with your class right away!
I hope these activities help you build the kind of classroom community where every student knows what's expected and feels set up for success. That's really what the first weeks of school are all about! 😊
