Classroom Routines and Procedures: A Real-Life Example

Classroom Routines and Procedures: A Real-Life Example

by K.J. Wagner, M.A.

Teacher Comments: I work in a Title I school with "at-risk" students. Over the years, I have found that spending a few minutes every day during the first month going over and then reviewing our classroom rules as well as our routines and procedures makes the entire rest of the year a pleasure to teach. I usually spend a week on each of most important rules: Remaining quiet while the teacher is talking; Refraining from touching other students and their property; Being respectful. I always teach the critical attribute of each rule or routine. For example, what exactly does it mean to "remain quite" while the teacher is speaking? Does that mean students may quietly ask questions of one other? What happens if a visitor walks in? Finally, I offer the students many examples and non-examples. For example, what exactly does respect look like, what does it sound like? Classroom Procedures REQUIRED MATERIALS. Bring the following materials to class each day: -two sharpened pencils/pens -Reading notebook -pencil pouch with sharpener, hi-liters (as for me mesti bawa buku teks, buku latihan dan buku nota, awal2 tahun sapa tak bawak buku teks, cikgu denda, kalau lupa pi la pinjam kat kawan kelas sebelah.) ENTERING THE CLASSROOM . We enter the classroom in a calm, quiet manner. Sharpen your pencil if necessary and take a seat. Remember: Once the door is closed, you must be in your seat and working. (That means having the necessary materials out on your desk.) READING NOTEBOOK . This is an important tool. Bring it to class with you every single day . The notebook will be graded twice during each 9-week grading period. Your notebook grade is 20% of your final 9-week grade. ATTENTION SIGNAL. When I hold up my hand I will say, "Give me five." That means the entire class should be absolutely silent and still within 5 seconds. ASKING QUESTIONS.LEAVING YOUR SEAT.GETTING HELP . Raise your hand and I will acknowledge you. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR. Your responsibilities in this class are to: be on time, be prepared, be productive. All team members are expected to be polite and respectful to one another---and that includes the teacher. No student will be allowed to disrupt the learning of his or her classmates. MAKEUP WORK. When you are absent you are expected to make up any work you missed. On the day you return, check the appropriate folder for any missed work. HOMEWORK. Homework, when assigned, will be due at the beginning of class. Have it out on your desk ready to be picked up. END OF CLASS DISMISSAL. Two minutes before class ends, I will tell you to start getting packed up. We will straighten the room. Then, I will give you any last minute instructions and dismiss you. TARDINESS. You are expected to be in your seat when I close the door. If you come in late and do not have a pass, quietly sign the tardy sheet at the front of the room. You are allowed three unexcused tardies for the nine weeks. The fourth unexcused tardy results in a referral and a call home. If you are late (unexcused) for more than 5 minutes, this is not a tardy. You are considered to be "out of area" and you will be given an automatic referral. RESTROOM PASSES. You are expected to use the restroom between classes. No bathroom passes (or any passes) will be issued the first ten minutes of class. You are allowed two passes (of any kind) per nine weeks. Use them wisely.

Routines and Procedures for Managing Your Classroom

Routines and Procedures for Managing Your Classroom

written by K.J. Wagner, M.A. http://www.educationoasis.com/

Effective classroom teachers spend more of their time in the first few weeks of the year teaching classroom routines and procedures as opposed to academic content. Why? Because routines and procedures are the key to a well-managed, organized classroom. Research shows that most behavior problems result from lack of classroom routines and procedures.Moreover, the number of interruptions to academic instruction are reduced and the class flows more smoothly. Points to remember: Have a copy of your routines and procedures to hand to each of your students on the first day of school.  (Keep extra copies on hand for new students who arrive later in the year.)(Tak pernah buat lagi bagi list ni, selalu briefing kat depa saja, tahun depan kena try, buat list dan lekat dalam buku nota) Do not simply hand out the list, go over it once, and expect the students to comply. Teach the most important, key procedures over a period of days, one or two at a time. •  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. Teach the less important routines and procedure by simply stating the routine or procedure, monitoring it, and reinforcing it when necessary. Be consistent . Don't give up after a few days. 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. (Kena banyak bersabar dan kena tegas pada masa ni, kalau tak, tak menjadi la jawabnya)

What follows is a list of routines and procedures. Every good classroom manager will have thought about each of these before the beginning of the year. (However, it's never too late to start!) Modify the list to suit your needs.

Classroom Routines and Procedures

• 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