Procedures and Routines

 First of all, let me provide a simple definition of procedures and routines. A procedure is  specifically how something is to be done. Whereas a routine is a mechanically performed  action – in other words, students perform this task automatically without actually having to  think about it.

 

You might ask yourself which procedures you will necessarily have to implement. When I  first entered the teaching profession, I kind of figured, well… I will need a procedure for a  child to ask a question, a procedure to sharpen a pencil, a procedure to get up out of one’s  seat, a procedure to get their attention, a procedure for collecting papers, etcetera!

These are, in fact, all fairly important procedures that I want to become routines in my  classroom. This was based just on pure common sense. Now, of course, I have added  additional procedures as I have gained experience and understand better what is  appropriate to a particular group or age level.

I would recommend that you do three things if you want your students to thoroughly  understand your procedural expectations:

·       Teach

·       Model

·       Rehearse

First, you teach the procedure by talking about it and giving them a written or visual  reference (this could be writing it on the whiteboard, pointing to a poster, projecting it using  some kind of multimedia – slides, video, etc.).

Next, you model it. By this, I mean you demonstrate exactly how you want the procedure to  be performed – playing the role of a student doing the task.

 

 Tips: Systematize your Tasks and Supplies

 

Here are some systems that can make your daily routines go much quicker:

·         Work out a quick, effective way to distribute items to all the desks

·         Assign locations for items you need so that you can always find them (the tape, ruler,  chalk or whiteboard marker, laptop and projector cables, etc.)

·         Organize your desk and other spaces throughout the room so that both you and your  students always know where to take things from and return them after use.

·         Make checklists of tasks and items, then work out the best order to do the tasks.

·         Create a prioritized plan so that you can get everything done that you need to both  before and after each class.

 

Be clear!

Clarity and organization of the behaviors you expect of your students are truly important  keys to maintaining a happy classroom. From Day One, you will want to organize the  procedures and routines for the classroom. These can cover a wide range of issues from  quieting a noisy room to how to enter and exit to what a student should do if they need to  go to the bathroom.

The more you ‘think through’ the daily situations beforehand, the easier it will be to teach  them. If you can state clearly what is expected in a way that students understand, they will  learn to abide by the procedures and routines you want them to follow.

Present the most basic ones on the first day of school. Just be careful not to overwhelm  students on the first day with too much. In the following days, you can repeat, expand on  the basics and teach – model - rehearse more complex routines as the class becomes  familiar with your methods.

Whatever procedures and routines you choose are important for your class to follow, just  remember:

 

Be consistent!

 

Examples of Classroom Procedures:

·         Procedures for Quieting a Class

·         Procedures for when the “Call Back” Song is played

·         Morning Procedures

·         Lunch and Snack Procedures

·         Procedures for entering and exiting the classroom

·         Procedures for a student to signal the teacher

·         Emergency procedures