Routines and Procedures... Oh My!

One of my pet peeves when I walk into a classroom, is tripping over backpacks that have been left on the floor.  Another pet peeve is students sharpening pencils while I am talking.  What’s yours?

Prevention – by establishing and teaching routines and procedures, you will eliminate many of these pesty classroom behaviors. Well almost. Here’s how:

1.   Before the school year starts think through a day in your classroom.  What will be the routines and procedures that will keep your class on a smooth track?  Make a list.  Ideas include:

·       Putting away coats and bookbags, taking out materials- NOTICE this is #1 for me

·       Sharpening pencils or getting supplies – My #2     

·       Moving from the chairs to the floor (and back again)

·       Lining up to go to Shira (music) or another “special”

·       Going to the restroom

·       Arrival: seating arrangements, attendance, assignments

·       Snack time

·       Discussions (raising hands or  not, waiting, listening politely, etc)

2.    Choose 3 – 4 routines or procedures to focus on the first few sessions of school.  Visualize what you want the students to do. Walk it through in your head.  Break the procedure down into short steps, with you giving directions on the way.  This is what you will teach your students.  For example:  Moving from sitting at seats to the carpet area (or to find a partner or to line up)…

·       T: Stand up and push your chairs in. Teacher waits for all students to stand behind their chairs that are pushed under the table.

·       T: When I give the signal, walk quietly to the carpet area and stand at the edge.  T gives the signal and students walk to the edge of the carpet and remain standing.

·       T:  Find a spot on the carpet, where you can sit comfortably and then sit crisscross. T gives the signal and students find a place on the carpet and sit down crisscross.

·       T: Thank you for following the directions for coming to the carpet.  Going to the carpet in this manner will keep our class organized and safe.  Now let’s practice going back to our seats.

3.    Teach, practice and reinforce.  Over the first few class sessions, take the time to teach these important routines and procedures.  Practice the routine.  Make it fun, add music or goofy movements.  Acknowledge successes by stating “I noticed that everyone came quietly and quickly to the carpet.” 

4.      Whoops… So of course these new skills take time to learn, and kids are kids.  Routine seems to be ‘noisy’ or forgotten?  Stop.  Reteach and practice again. 

5.      Reminders:  As your class is about ready to use a newly learned skill (or later in the year as a reminder), ask students to remind the class of the procedure.  This will trigger their memories and set the expectations for the new behavior.

Teach the routine, practice, reinforce, practice again, reminders (student to student)...