Among the infinite concerns teachers
juggle in their efforts to successfully operate a classroom
are the decisions they face regarding the use and management
of instructional time. In addition to managing paperwork and
meeting the different needs of individual students, teachers
must organize and teach many important rules and routines.
It is vital that these rules and routines be taught from the
moment students enter the classroom and reinforced throughout
the school year. Before students can be expected to follow
established rules and routines, teachers must model exactly
what is required of them. It is strongly suggested that teachers
give students a chance to practice the rules and routines until
they begin to master them. Once classroom rules and routines
have been learned, students are able to work purposefully and
responsibly. Below is a framework for establishing rules and
routines in the classroom:
Explain why the rule/routine
is important
State
your immediate objective - What will
be learned today and how we will do it?
Explain
the steps
Model
the
steps
Walk
the
students
through
them
one
step
at
a
time
Have
them
practice
with
feedback
from
the
teacher
Independent
practice
To begin creating a climate of
support and confidence, it is a good idea to take time on the
very first day of school to develop classroom rules and routines
with the students. Be careful not to have too many rules. Include
the children in the process. Teachers should develop a reasonable
sequence of consequences with students, and the class should
agree on what will happen if rules and routines are not followed.
Involving the students, providing
clear and simple guidelines, and conducting the routines
with regularity and consistency will reduce the amount
of time and energy the routines consume and make
your classroom run much more smoothly.
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