Procedures Save the Day...and My Sanity....

One of the best pieces of advice that I received prior to teaching was to spend a great deal of time at the beginning of the school year developing and practicing classroom procedures. Here are a few of the procedures that I use in my classroom that work very well.

Entering the room

Come in and put your backpack on your chair. Unpack. Turn in any homework papers on the small desk beside Miss Stuttler's desk. Make sure that you have pencils sharpened and notebook paper in a folder. Put your backpack and other belongings in your locker. Return to your desk and look at the board for morning work instructions. You may have work on your desk to get started on. There is to be no talking during this time. If you have any money or permission forms, hold onto them until the teacher calls your name for attendance/lunch orders.

Using the Restroom

Only one student is allowed to be out of the room at a time. You must ask for permission before leaving and you must have a hall pass. Make sure you flush and wash your hands! If you make a mess, clean it up. If the restroom needs attention, tell the teacher immediately. 

Fire Drill

When you hear the alarm, stop what you are doing, leave everything, and quietly walk directly to the door. We will exit the middle stairwell that leads to the playground and walk to the right towards the parking lot. NOTE- THIS ONE REQUIRED RE-TEACHING WHEN WE DECIDED THAT IT WAS A GREAT IDEA TO RUN OUT OF THE ROOM SCREAMING "FIRE, FIRE!"

After a few times of practicing and a fire safety poster on the classroom door, we no longer have this problem.

Lining Up

Wait until you or your pod/row is called, then quietly stand up, push in your chair, and line up facing forward. Bring all the necessary items you may need with you.

Ending the Day

Clear off your desk, place papers to go home in your homework folder and wait to be called. Once you are called then gather your belongings, quietly sit in your chair, and wait to be lined up. If you have an assigned job, such as sweeping the floor, do that job before sitting down.

Classroom Jobs

Classroom jobs are posted on a bulletin board. These will be changed weekly. Every student will have an opportunity to do every job at least once. The teacher may add a job or ask a student to help a classmate complete their assigned job at times. Such as the line leader may hold the dust pan for the Super Sweeper.

Getting out of seat

Students may not get out of their seat unless they are given permission. If a student needs to throw something away, they should wait until an appropriate time (during the lesson is not an appropriate time).

Classroom visitors

When there is a visitor in the classroom, students should remain in their seats and should not be talking. 

Signals for attention- MY STUDENTS LOVE THESE! Other classes and parents usually turn and look at us like we are crazy...I think we may be. : )

Teacher- Mac and Cheese                    Teacher: Avengers!                   Teacher: Hocus Pocus

Class- Everybody freeze!                      Class: Assemble                    Class: Everybody Focus

 

Asking questions

Students should always raise their hand to answer questions, unless the teacher begins by saying “Class” and then everyone may answer all at once.This procedure has been such a life saver and eliminated a lot of blurting out and confusion about who was to answer.