46. Read Alouds to Teach Classroom Rules & Expectations

Picture this: It's the third week of school and you're already feeling like a broken record, reminding students about the same expectations over and over again. What if I told you there's a way to teach classroom rules that actually sticks—and it involves some of your favorite picture books? In this episode, I'm sharing the game-changing strategy that transforms rule-setting from repetitive reminders into engaging conversations that build genuine classroom community.

I'll walk you through seven powerful picture books that do the heavy lifting when it comes to establishing expectations, from "What If Everybody Did That?" for teaching consequences to "Clark the Shark" for impulse control. These aren't just any read alouds—these are the stories that create those magical "aha!" moments where students truly understand the why behind your classroom rules. Plus, I'll share exactly how to use each book to spark meaningful discussions that help your students internalize expectations rather than just memorize them. Trust me, your future self will thank you for adding these community-building gems to your teaching toolkit!

📓 Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

💙 50 Picture Books Every Classroom Needs (freebie!)

📚 Books in this Episode:

• What If Everybody Did That?
• Officer Buckle & Gloria
• Interrupting Chicken
• Do Unto Otters
• Clark the Shark
• The Way I Act
• We Don’t Eat Our Classmates
• Quiet Please, Owen McPhee
• The Bad Seed
• Millie Fierce

📝 Show Notes

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.