“Classroom management is not about having the right rules, it's about having the right relationship. ”
— Unknown

The first few weeks of school sets the tone for the entire year.

Together with your students, you’ve probably created class agreements, established routines, and assigned jobs. It’s an empowering process that gives students a voice in how the classroom operates.

But here’s the thing: agreements, no matter how thoughtfully crafted, don’t have lasting value if they’re treated as a one-time activity (or only referenced when they aren’t being kept!). They can’t just sit on the wall gathering dust.

Class agreements are much more than ‘rules’—they’re the foundation of your classroom culture.

They represent a shared understanding between you and your students about how everyone wants the class to feel and operate. But just like any relationship, those agreements need regular attention to stay strong.

When students feel that the agreements are valued and respected, they’re more likely to follow them—and more importantly, to hold themselves and each other accountable.

The goal is for your class agreements to reflect how your students interact with one another daily, not just during the first few weeks. When agreements are kept alive, students feel ownership of their environment and know their voices matter.

5 Quick Tips to Keep Class Agreements Alive

Embed Agreements into Daily Routines
Reference agreements in everyday moments. For example, remind students of the “respectful listening” agreement before group activities to keep it fresh in their minds.
Hold Daily Check-ins
Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on how well the class is honoring their agreements. Ask questions like, “What are we doing well? What can we improve?”
Empower Students to Problem-Solve
When agreements are not being followed, involve students in the solution. Ask, “How can we better follow our agreement to respect personal space?”
Celebrate Successes
Recognize when students honor class agreements. A simple shout-out or acknowledgment (I like to use the phrase, “I noticed…) goes a long way in reinforcing positive behavior.
Adapt When Needed
Revisit and update agreements. Ask students if the current agreements still work, or if anything needs adjusting.

By continually revisiting, reflecting, and adapting the agreements, students learn important life skills that will carry them beyond the classroom: how to communicate respectfully, how to work collaboratively, and how to problem-solve together. And ultimately, isn’t that the goal of Positive Discipline—to teach students the social-emotional skills they need to thrive both inside and outside of school?

So, take time each week to breathe life into your class agreements. You’ll be amazed at how much it will benefit both you and your students. Because when agreements live and grow, so do the relationships that make learning truly meaningful.

We also have a freebie just for you to keep those class agreements alive all throughout the year.