School Rules Scroll

Work together to agree on a set of rules for the classroom, school cafeteria, and playground. Write and illustrate rules to make a School Rules Scroll.

• 1.

  With your classmates, create a list of suggested classroom rules to help each person be responsible for their actions. State rules positively, describing what TO DO. Use a democratic decision-making process to select three or four of the most important, general rules.

• 2.

  Cut a recycled paper grocery bag with Crayola® Scissors so it lies flat.

• 3.

  With a ruler and Crayola Colored Pencils, measure 2-inch (5 cm) high lines. In your best handwriting, use Crayola Washable Markers to print the rules large enough that they can be read from a distance.

• 4.

  Illustrate the rules on another recycled paper bag. Glue these illustrations next to the rules with Crayola Glue Sticks.

• 5.

  When the glue is dry, crumple the paper slightly to give it an aged effect. Roll up the finished scroll and tie it with a bright ribbon. As needed, a student unveils the rules for all to see.

Benefits

• Early in the year, children collaboratively decide on classroom rules that will help them get along with each other. Rules are phrased in positive terms.
• Students recognize the importance of rules for people to get along (classroom, community, state, country, international).
• Children write and illustrate their agreed-upon rules. They accept responsibility for their own behavior.

Adaptations

• Write rules decided upon by younger children or those with language impairments on chart paper so they have a sample. Older children write in calligraphy. Students write the rules in their home languages.
• Older students decide upon rules in a "King Arthur's Round Table" format and write them in different styles of speech. For example, read a portion of "King Arthur and King Cornwall" from Sir Gawain and then write class rules in middle English. Or write in
• Write imaginary rules for a fantasy situation (No chewing gum while wearing your space suit).