The Best Classroom Routine
You Didn't Know You Needed
Classroom routine and procedures are the backbone of any effective lesson. Some say it’s good classroom management. And they wouldn’t be wrong…
After all, a good classroom management plan consists of routines and procedures that meet the needs of the students and the teacher.
But what exactly are those routines and procedures?
After all, a good classroom management plan consists of routines and procedures that meet the needs of the students and the teacher.
But what exactly are those routines and procedures?
Good question.
It’s not always easy to know. And sometimes you just don’t know until you’re in the mix of things. Then when you reflect on your lesson, you can identify what procedures you need for the next time.
But sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know.
Over the years I’ve had a lot of experience figuring out what routines and procedures I need and what my students need.
And there’s one that stands out above the others. The one procedure I couldn’t run an effective classroom without.
Take away all my other procedures, but please leave this one. That’s how strongly I feel about it’s effectiveness. And that’s the procedure I want to share with you today.
Routines for Starting Class
The way you start your class is EVERYTHING.
Your actions. Your students’ actions. It all sets the tone for the rest of the class period.
So here’s my secret to starting class efficiently, which allows the rest of my class period to run super smoothly…
First, it starts by training my students to read the directions on the board as soon as they enter.
From there, they find their seats, and get started on what I call “Do Now” work.
Now you may be thinking – I already have my students do Bell Ringers and I don’t think it’s all that spectacular.
And I would agree with you. Traditional Bell Ringers and Warm Up Questions are not the answer.
And that’s NOT what I’m suggesting.
Everything in the “Do Now” work section of their instructions involves preparing them for the day’s lesson.
What homework to turn in.
What materials they need to gather.
Where to put their extra materials.
What to write in their planner for the day.
What many fail to see, is that these actions are mentally preparing students for learning. They become a way to train the brain in terms of what to expect next – learning.
Your actions. Your students’ actions. It all sets the tone for the rest of the class period.
So here’s my secret to starting class efficiently, which allows the rest of my class period to run super smoothly…
First, it starts by training my students to read the directions on the board as soon as they enter.
From there, they find their seats, and get started on what I call “Do Now” work.
Now you may be thinking – I already have my students do Bell Ringers and I don’t think it’s all that spectacular.
And I would agree with you. Traditional Bell Ringers and Warm Up Questions are not the answer.
And that’s NOT what I’m suggesting.
Everything in the “Do Now” work section of their instructions involves preparing them for the day’s lesson.
What homework to turn in.
What materials they need to gather.
Where to put their extra materials.
What to write in their planner for the day.
What many fail to see, is that these actions are mentally preparing students for learning. They become a way to train the brain in terms of what to expect next – learning.
