Respect Kickoff Lesson Plan Ready, Set, Respect!
Classroom Expectations Kick-Off
90 Minutes
7th Grade SpEd Resource
Tier 1 Instruction
Objective
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.
Prep Time: 15m
Display Expectations Poster
Cut Respect Role-Play Cards
Copy Reflection Worksheets
Prepare Group Agreement Chart
Instructional Sequence
10m
Warm-Up: Respect Memory
Distribute index cards and markers.
Ask students to think of a time they felt respected or disrespected in a classroom.
Each student writes a brief sentence about their experience and draws a symbol representing their memory.
Collect the cards to spark discussion during the next section.
15m
Introduction: Define Expectations
Materials: Whiteboard, Expectations Poster.
Draw three columns on the whiteboard: Respect, Responsibility, Safety.
Discuss each term using the poster as a guide. Invite student definitions and concrete classroom examples.
Record student ideas in the appropriate columns on the board.
30m
Activity: Role-Play Practice
Materials: Respect Role-Play Cards.
Divide students into pairs and distribute the role-play cards.
Pairs act out scenarios and demonstrate respectful responses.
Partners discuss alignment with classroom expectations after each scenario.
Rotate cards between pairs to practice multiple situations. Conclude with a whole-class share-out of "best responses."
20m
Group Work: Create Agreement
Materials: Group Agreement Chart Template.
Groups list 5 specific behaviors reflecting Respect, Responsibility, and Safety using the template.
Groups present their ideas. Collaboratively merge into a single "Classroom Agreement."
Finalize the text for the agreement to be displayed prominently.
15m
Cool-Down: Reflection & Commitment
Materials: Expectation Reflection Worksheet.
Students write two personal commitments for each expectation.
Volunteers share one commitment to the group.
Collect worksheets for review and to identify students who may need more behavioral support.
Ready Set Respect Instructional Script • Page 1 of 1
Expectations Slide Deck Ready, Set, Respect!
Building Our Classroom Community
Respect
Responsibility
Safety
Teacher Notes: Welcome students to “Ready, Set, Respect!” Introduce today’s agenda: Warm-Up, Define Expectations, Role-Play, Group Agreement, Reflection.
Warm-Up: Respect Memory
1
Think of a time you felt respected or disrespected in a classroom.
2
On your index card, write one sentence about your experience.
3
Draw a symbol that represents your memory.
Use these cards for our
Teacher Notes: Distribute index cards and markers. Explain the Warm-Up: Respect Memory. Collect cards for later discussion.
The Big Three
Respect
Treating others with kindness and care.
Responsibility
Owning your actions and your learning.
Safety
Keeping our space and people secure.
"What do these words mean to you in our classroom?"
Teacher Notes: Display the Expectations Poster. Draw three columns on the board. Invite definitions and examples.
Role-Play Practice
Pick a Scenario Card with your partner.
Act it out showing a respectful response.
Discuss: What did you do well?
Rotate cards and try another!
Teacher Notes: Group students in pairs. Hand out Role-Play Cards. Circulate to support. Share one highlight after.
Our Class Agreement
Work with your group to list 5 specific behaviors for each category.
Use the examples we just practiced!
Next Step
"We will combine our best ideas into one single Class Agreement for everyone to sign!"
Teacher Notes: Provide Agreement Chart Templates. Guide groups as they merge ideas into the class agreement.
Personal Commitments
"On your worksheet, write two personal commitments for each expectation."
Respect
Responsibility
Safety
Be ready to share one commitment with the class!
Teacher Notes: Distribute Reflection Worksheets. Provide support as they write. Invite volunteers to share.
Great Work Today!
Our Class Agreement will be posted on the wall tomorrow.
Let's hold each other accountable!
Classroom Expectations Poster Classroom Expectations
Building Our Community Together
Respect
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
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
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.
Respect • Responsibility • Safety Every Day!
Respect Role-Play Cards Respect Role-Play Cards
Print and cut along the dashed lines. In pairs, take turns acting out the scenarios demonstrating a respectful response. Discuss how your response shows Respect, Responsibility, or Safety.
Card 1
The teacher is giving directions, but your classmate keeps talking.
How do you show respect to both your classmate and the teacher?
Card 2
You need a pencil, but the person next to you is using yours without asking.
How can you respond responsibly and respectfully?
Card 3
A group member is upset because they don't understand the instructions.
Role-play how you would help, showing kindness and patience.
Card 4
You see someone drop their work on the floor.
Demonstrate how you would help them and keep the classroom safe.
Card 5
Your friend makes a joke about another student's project.
Act out a respectful way to address hurt feelings.
Card 6
You finish early and notice your partner is still working.
Show responsibility by offering help or staying quiet.
Card 7
A classmate accidentally bumps your chair hard enough to hurt you.
Role-play how you will respond to keep the situation calm.
Card 8
You need to ask a question but everyone is listening to the teacher.
Show respect by signaling or waiting for a time to speak.
Ready Set Respect • Role-Play Activities
Expectation Reflection Worksheet Expectation Reflection
Personal Commitment Guide
Name:
Date:
1 Understanding Our Expectations
In your own words, what does Respect mean in our classroom?
In your own words, what does Responsibility mean in our classroom?
In your own words, what does Safety mean in our classroom?
2 Reflecting on Our Agreement
Look at our final class agreement. Which expectation do you think is most important for you to practice every day? Why?
3 My Personal Commitments
Respect
Responsibility
Safety
4 Setting a Reminder
What is one thing you can do each day to remind yourself of these commitments?
Keep this in your binder to stay on track!
Group Agreement Chart Template Group Agreement Chart
Classroom Expectations Brainstorm
Date:
Instructions: Work with your group to list five specific behaviors that show each expectation in our classroom. Be clear and positive!
Respect
Responsibility
Safety
Group Members:
Ready Set Respect • Collaborative Agreement Template
