Routines and procedures are the key to a well-managed, organized classroom. The time spent teaching, monitoring and reinforcing routines and procedures during the first three weeks of school will pay tremendous dividends. If the routines and procedures are established at the beginning of the year, the entire rest of the year will be more enjoyable, and productive for both you and your students.
Points to remember:
• Explain the rationale behind the routine or
procedure.
• Model the routine or procedure for the students.
• Give the students non-examples of compliance.
• Have the students (or one student) model the procedure.
Be consistent . Don't give up after a few days.
Classroom Routines and Procedures to be Planning For:
- Entering the classroom
- Beginning work
- Roll Call/Lunch Count
- Announcements
- Tardies
- Absences/Make-up procedures
- Teacher's attention signal
- Getting out of your seat
- Assignments
- Getting supplies
- Sharpening pencils
- Procedures for using/carrying/handling equipment
- Getting into groups
- Working in groups
- Independent work
- Working at a center
- Lining up to leave the room
- Snacks/Water
- Restroom
- Going to the clinic, office, media center or elsewhere
- How to head papers
- Passing in homework
- Passing in papers
- Exchanging papers
- Asking questions
- Getting help
- Finishing work early
- Visitors to the room
- Responding to fire drills, "codes", or other alerts
- Sudden illness
- Checking out classroom material
- Cleaning the room at the end of the day
- Organizing materials
- Homework
- Changing classes
- Dismissal