As the new school year begins, it’s crucial to establish a positive classroom environment from the start. This can be achieved by setting clear procedures, expectations, and routines for your students. Doing so creates a structured and productive learning environment that promotes student success and engagement. This article will explore the importance of these elements and how they contribute to a successful school year.
Set Clear Expectations:
Clearly communicate your expectations for behavior, participation, and academic performance to your students. This will help create a sense of structure and accountability in the classroom.
When students know what is expected of them, they are more likely to meet those expectations. Clearly communicate your expectations for behavior, participation, and academic performance to your students from day one. This can be done through a class discussion, a written contract, or a set of classroom rules. Setting clear expectations creates a sense of structure and accountability in the classroom, which helps establish a positive learning environment. Students will understand what is required of them and will be more motivated to meet those expectations. Additionally, clear expectations can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts, as students will know what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
Questions you need to ask yourself before your students come to school. I have also listed what I do in my classroom.
- What are your expectations of how they treat each other?
- We have to make everyone feel safe. If students don’t feel safe, then they cannot learn.
- What are your expectations when there is a conflict between students?
- I ask that my students try to talk to each other first, then come and ask me for help. Each student gets to speak, and we work through the situation.
- What are your expectations when they disagree with the teacher or dislike something?
- We talk about how it is ok not to like something, but sometimes we still have to do it, such as learning our time’s tables. Other times when it matters, they are welcome to express their disagreement kindly so we can discuss it. It doesn’t always mean that I will change my mind or think the same way they think. We might have to agree to disagree, and that’s ok.
- What are your expectations when they come into the classroom?
- When my students come into the classroom, I expect them to put away their things, use the bathroom, fill up their water bottles, choose a free choice, and use whisper voices for the first 10 minutes of the day.
- What are your expectations when they work independently?
- During independent work time, I allow my students to ask questions of me or a neighbor. They are also allowed to sit where they choose. I only expect voices off during a test or when we are writing.
- What are your expectations when they work in small groups?
- During small group time, I expect everyone to be on task and use a whisper voice. I expect everyone to stay with their group and in the space provided for centers.
- What are your expectations during whole group lessons?
- They can sit at their desk or on the floor close to me during whole group lessons. I require them to raise their hand to make comments or ask questions to allow everyone a chance to think and participate.
- What are your expectations during the rug and or calendar time?
- During our rug and calendar time, I expect everyone to sit on the rug or close to the carpet. I ask that they raise their hands to answer or ask questions.
- What are your expectations on assignments?
- For assignments, I expect them to put their name on their paper “first thing.” I expect them to complete their work to the best of their ability, and I should be able to read it.
- What are your expectations of their desk and or supplies?
- My expectations for their desk is to keep them organized and treat their supplies respectfully.
- What are your expectations when they line up?
- They should line up quickly, somewhat quietly, and safely.
- What are your expectations when they go to the bathroom?
- They may use the bathroom during the first 10 minutes of their day, recess, lunch, and independent time.
- What are your expectations at the end of the day?
- At the end of the day, I expect everyone to help clean up the room, pick up trash, stack chairs, and take the trash out in the hallway.
Establish Routines:
Develop consistent routines for daily tasks such as entering the classroom, starting class, transitioning between activities, and ending class. Routines provide predictability and help students feel secure in their learning environment.
Consistent routines are essential for creating a positive classroom environment. When students know what to expect and have a clear structure to follow, they feel more secure and comfortable in their learning environment. Establish routines for daily tasks such as entering the classroom, starting class, transitioning between activities, and ending class. For example, you can have a specific routine for how students enter the classroom, where they put their belongings, and how they prepare for the day. This consistency helps students feel more at ease and allows them to focus on learning. Routines also help to minimize disruptions and wasted time, as students know what is expected of them and can quickly transition between activities. By implementing consistent routines, you create a sense of order and organization in the classroom, contributing to a positive and productive learning environment.
Routines you need to think through before your students walk in the door. I have listed some of my classroom routines and how I implement them.
- Students entering the classroom:
- Choose hot or cold lunch (Move Attendance Card with their name on it)
- Put backpack away
- Fill up the Water Bottle
- Go to the Bathroom
- Choose a free choice item to play with, such as; magnetic blocks, legos, or drawing sheets, read a book, and talk to a friend (10 minutes)
- Click the classroom doorbell to have them clean up
- Morning Routine and or Morning Meeting
- Go to the rug
- 1 minute of silence to reflect on ourselves or relax
- Affirmation that we say together 1 minute
- Visualize our day and talk about our schedule for 1 minute.
- Read an excerpt from an inspirational book such as Chicken Soup for the Children’s Soul, and then we talk about it, or I ask them questions of the day from my Morning Meeting Questions. 3-5 minutes
- Gratitude Journal 3-5 minutes
- Go Noodle or a quick stretch or exercise to get us moving in the morning for 3-5 minutes.
- Go to the rug
- Center Routine
- I use my Classroom Center Slides to show them which station to go to and what they do there. I have added a timer to the slide in some classes to help them manage time, but sometimes that drives them crazy.
- Classroom Doorbell to clean up and transition to the following stations/center.
- Lining Up Routine
- I excuse some of them at a time to line up quietly, such as everyone wearing green or someone with blue eyes can line up.
- Then, I do a chant before we go into the hallway.
- 1-2 “Listen and Do”
- 3-4 “Face the Door” (body faces the door)
- 5-6 “Fingers on Lips” (fingers go on lips)
- 7-8 “Line up Straight” (the line is straight)
- 9-10 “Let the Quiet Walk Begin” (voices are off)
- I don’t know where this chant originated from but thank you, Ms. I, for teaching it to me during my student teaching 20 years ago. 🙂
- End of the Day Routine
- I play a song on my computer that indicates it’s time to clean up at the end of the day. “Little Wonders” by Rob Thomas
- Each student must put away their chair, help pick up trash, put extra things back that we might have left out during the day, and one student takes out the garbage.
Teach Procedures:
Take the time to explicitly teach and model the procedures and expectations you have for various classroom activities, such as turning in assignments, using technology, or working in groups. This will ensure that students understand how to successfully navigate these tasks.
Teaching procedures are an essential step in creating a positive classroom environment. By taking the time to explicitly teach and model the procedures and expectations for various classroom activities, you ensure that students understand how to successfully navigate these tasks. For example, you can teach students how to turn in assignments by demonstrating the process step-by-step and providing clear instructions. Similarly, you can teach them how to use technology by showing them how to log in, access specific programs, and troubleshoot common issues. Additionally, teaching procedures for working in groups can help students understand how to collaborate effectively and respectfully. By teaching and modeling these procedures, you set clear expectations and empower students to take ownership of their learning.
Procedures you need to think through before your students walk in the door.
- Bathroom Procedure
- They may use the bathroom during independent work, free choice in the mornings, recess, and lunch.
- Sharpening Pencils
- Nobody sharpens pencils until the end of the day. I have a sharp and dull bucket. I can’t stand the pencil sharpener, so I assign one person to do it when we clean up at the end of the day, or I have a parent help me.
- Turning in paper
- The name must be on the paper.
- During a test, I have them hand the papers to me or to a student to check for names.
- All other papers go in the finished box on the back counter.
- Getting supplies
- I have minimal supplies in their desk so they don’t mess with them.
- They have a pencil box, pencil, crayons, glue stick, expo, folder, and binder on their desk. All extra supplies go in a plastic shoe box labeled with their number in their cubby.
- Extra supplies they can use are labeled in drawers in my classroom for their use when needed.
- Math manipulatives are all organized in bins or pencil pouches to allow me to pass things out, like colored squares, quickly.
- Asking the teacher for help
- Ask 3 before me.
- Yourself
- 2 Students
- Then Teacher
- Ask 3 before me.
A positive classroom environment is essential at the beginning of the year. A productive learning environment can be maintained with procedures, expectations, and routines in place. I hope everyone has a wonderful school year.
Other Blogs that might be helpful:
Here is a great blog post on creating a culturally inclusive classroom which intern create an amazing classroom community where everyone feels welcome called A Culturally Inclusive Classroom Matters: Tips for Fostering Inclusivity.
Here is another great blog post on TOP 9 CLASSROOM ROUTINES AND PROCEDURES, NUMBER 3 IS A LIFE SAVER!
If you are looking for Routines in a Special Education class click here: The Importance Of Routines In An Elementary Special Education Classroom.
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