That Rule Doesn’t Apply to Me! Activities: Following Rules & Responsibility

Description

That Rule Doesn’t Apply to Me activities help students understand why rules matter, consider how their choices affect others, and take responsibility for their behavior. This 100-page SEL and ELA companion for That Rule Doesn’t Apply to Me! by Julia Cook includes an interactive read-aloud lesson plan and more than 40 differentiated activities, designed for students in grades 2–5.

Some students can explain a rule but still act as though it should not apply to them. They may focus on what they want, argue that an expectation is unfair, or overlook how their behavior affects the group. Repeating the rule provides a reminder, but students may also need instruction in its purpose and practice considering another person’s perspective.

This companion uses the character’s experiences as a starting point for those conversations. Through discussion, reflection, and writing, students connect classroom expectations with safety, learning, fairness, and respect for others.

Help Students Understand the Purpose of Rules

Rules are easier to understand when students can explain what they protect and who they affect. Following classroom expectations involves thinking beyond “Will I get in trouble?” to consider what happens to other people when someone ignores a rule.

The following rules worksheets and classroom rules activities help students examine those connections. Students consider the character’s choices, relate the story to their own experiences, and reflect on their responsibilities within a shared classroom or school.

Students explore:

• Why rules and expectations exist
• How one person’s behavior can affect a group
• How rules support safety, fairness, and learning
• The difference between knowing an expectation and following it
• How kindness and consideration for others influence choices

Connect Choices With Consequences

Students need opportunities to examine a decision before they are caught up in a difficult situation. The choices and consequences activities help them consider what a character wanted, what the character did, and how that decision affected others.

These conversations also give students room to consider a different response. A student can feel disappointed, disagree with an expectation, or ask a respectful question while still taking responsibility for their actions. The goal is to build thoughtful decision-making and accountability while preserving student dignity.

Teach SEL Alongside Literacy

The interactive read-aloud lesson plan includes questions for before, during, and after reading. These prompts help you guide discussion about the character’s thinking, invite students to explain their reasoning, and connect the story to everyday situations.

Follow-up ELA activities include predictions, summarizing, text-to-self connections, character analysis, comparing and contrasting, cause and effect, and writing. You can address social-emotional skills while reinforcing literacy objectives through the same book.

What’s Included in That Rule Doesn’t Apply to Me! Activities

• 100 pages of instruction and materials, including more than 40 differentiated activities
• Interactive read-aloud lesson plan with before, during, and after reading questions
• Following rules worksheets and classroom rules activities
• Choices and consequences activities to support responsible decision-making
• Reflection and application activities focused on responsibility and accountability
• Activities addressing selflessness, kindness, and consideration for others
• ELA practice covering comprehension, character analysis, story connections, and writing
• ELA posters and visual supports
• Real photographs to support understanding and discussion
• Family connection notes to continue conversations at home

Flexible Ways to Use This Companion

Use the materials during whole-class read-alouds, small-group SEL lessons, counseling groups, centers, or individual reteaching. The differentiated formats allow you to select activities that match your students’ readiness and support needs.

You do not need to complete every page. Choose a few activities for a focused lesson, build a short unit, or revisit the concepts over several days or weeks. Students can continue practicing how to consider others, respect shared expectations, and make responsible choices with greater independence.

File Format and License

• Digital download with printable PDF materials
• Files available immediately after purchase
• Licensed for use by one educator
• Redistribution or sharing of the files is not permitted
• The picture book is not included. You will need access to That Rule Doesn’t Apply to Me! by Julia Cook to use the read-aloud lesson.