Bell Ringers for Middle School Made EASY
Today I'm sharing an easy classroom management strategy that will help you start your class on time, every day. My middle school classroom is full of routines and procedures, but this is definitely the most important of all. Without it, my classroom would not be near as easy to manage.
The EASY Bell Ringer
I have discovered that many teachers roll their eyes at the idea of a Bell Ringer activity. I was once that exact teacher. Mostly, I didn't want the hassle of "coming up" with something, nor did I want the hassle of grading it. I certainly didn't want to waste my class time with it.
I also understand not wanting to give up all of your instructional whiteboard space to warm-up work. You don’t have to do that either.
But I discovered a super simple way to use the structure of a Bell Ringer for management purposes, and NOT create more work for myself!
I also understand not wanting to give up all of your instructional whiteboard space to warm-up work. You don’t have to do that either.
But I discovered a super simple way to use the structure of a Bell Ringer for management purposes, and NOT create more work for myself!
Why Use a Bell Ringer Structure?
Students need direction. The moment a student steps foot in your classroom, they should know exactly what they are supposed to do.
The very first thing I teach my students to do upon entering the classroom is to READ THE BOARD.
The board tells them so many things!
The first thing it tells them is: Where to Sit, along with instructions for what they should Do Now.
Using a Bell Ringer Structure sets the tone for your classroom. It sends the message that students are here for a purpose, and it is not time to be wasted away.
The very first thing I teach my students to do upon entering the classroom is to READ THE BOARD.
The board tells them so many things!
The first thing it tells them is: Where to Sit, along with instructions for what they should Do Now.
Using a Bell Ringer Structure sets the tone for your classroom. It sends the message that students are here for a purpose, and it is not time to be wasted away.
How to Keep it Simple
Bell Ringers don't HAVE to be questions and answers and actual pencil to paper work that requires more student papers and shuffling and grading...
Your Bell Ringer can be simple actions that your students need to take to be prepared for the day's lesson.
Actions like:
+ Please have on your desk: your notebook, pencil, textbook and ruler.
- All other materials go under your chair.
+ Fill in your Planner with today's homework.
+ Read the paragraph at the top of page 54 of your textbook.
+ Read through your class notes from yesterday.
+ Review the vocabulary for our _____ unit.
You get the idea. Have your students prepare their desks, their bodies, and their minds for the day's lesson. The possibilities are endless!
Your Bell Ringer can be simple actions that your students need to take to be prepared for the day's lesson.
Actions like:
+ Please have on your desk: your notebook, pencil, textbook and ruler.
- All other materials go under your chair.
+ Fill in your Planner with today's homework.
+ Read the paragraph at the top of page 54 of your textbook.
+ Read through your class notes from yesterday.
+ Review the vocabulary for our _____ unit.
You get the idea. Have your students prepare their desks, their bodies, and their minds for the day's lesson. The possibilities are endless!
How to Set Up a Bell Ringer Structure
All you need to do is designate a square of space for posting homework, test dates, and the daily agenda.
This can be a bulletin board, a section of your whiteboard, or a simple wall space.
Once you’ve done that, simply add a section that is titled Do Now and train your students to read the message as soon as they enter the classroom.
This is a very easy procedure to teach. Especially when you include on your Do Now board instructions for where students should sit. I often change seating arrangements for different lesson structures, and this is an easy way to give my instructions.
When students come up to ask me questions about seating, I simply smile and point to the board ;)
This can be a bulletin board, a section of your whiteboard, or a simple wall space.
Once you’ve done that, simply add a section that is titled Do Now and train your students to read the message as soon as they enter the classroom.
This is a very easy procedure to teach. Especially when you include on your Do Now board instructions for where students should sit. I often change seating arrangements for different lesson structures, and this is an easy way to give my instructions.
When students come up to ask me questions about seating, I simply smile and point to the board ;)
