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Heather Cowart

Yes to Success in the Classroom with Routines and Procedures


student working on an assignment in the classroom following classroom routines and procedures

One way I add success is by using routines and procedures.  Routines can create a sense of ownership, inclusiveness, and pride.  Procedures can establish a community for your classroom.  When students have these feelings, it is amazing to see what they will do.  You can say Yes to Success in the Classroom by establishing routines and procedures with your students.  How?


Tell Them About Routines and Procedures


Students must understand your expectations.  I start with the syllabus on the very first day of school.  It gives the students, and their parents, a written copy of the procedures you expect them to follow.  We also discuss it.  And when we discuss it, we model and we practice it.  Yes, even in the high school classroom, we practice the procedures over and over and over!  We even role-play what incorrect behavior looks like (which is quite possibly the most entertaining and memorable part of the lesson).  In addition, we continue to practice for the first week or so by taking a few minutes at the beginning of each day to review.  At the end of the week, we assess.  If you are a secondary teacher, a syllabus can work for you, too.  Elementary school teachers, simply add a section for procedures with your supply list or display them during open house.  Keep it simple, though.  CLICK HERE to open up an elementary school syllabus template and HERE for the secondary one.  Have fun adding your very own information.


Give Them Examples of Routines and Procedures


We have many routines and procedures in our classroom.  Here are a few that I feel are extremely important.

  1. When the students enter the classroom, the expectation is for them to enter quietly and begin working immediately on the bell work.  We call our bell work the START assignment.  (NOTE:  This was quite possibly the most successful strategy we implemented last year.  Check back soon to learn exactly how.)  Tough, I know, but we ask that the students have started on this by the time that the bell rings.  This is a way that we maximize instructional time. During the first week of school, spend time practicing this.  Give them an assignment as they enter the room.  Have directions for them on the board.  Address it with a consequence if they do not follow the procedure.  I typically have mine leave the room and try again the first week, since it is practice.  After the first week, disciplinary action is taken against anyone not following the procedure.  By the third week, practically all students are participating.  Woo hoo!

  2. Have a routine for turning in assessments (quizzes, tests, homework, etc.).  We have a set of trays at a station in the room.  Each is labeled with a period.  When students complete assignments, they turn their paper into the appropriate tray.

  3. When the students turn in their papers, we ask that they do several things.  First, they fold their paper in half.  Then, they write their name on the outside of the paper.  When we grade the assessment, we write the grade on the inside, return the paper to its folded state, and place the papers in a designated location.  Now, students can control the passing back of papers.  Early finishers periodically check the drawer and pass back papers. This is such a time-saver!

  4. When they get graded papers back, we ask them to put them in a folder.  The folder stays in the classroom and it has their name on it.  This can act as documentation for your grade book and easy access to student work samples for parent conferences.  Just as we do with the graded papers, we keep the folders in a designated location as well.

  5. Designated locations are important!  It allows the students to participate in some of the classroom responsibilities.  We have designated locations for graded papers, graded paper folders, classroom supplies (such as colored pencils, markers, construction paper, computer paper, scissors, and glue), lab equipment, paper towels, cleaning supplies, hand soap, etc.

  6. Finally, assign responsibility for any job that the students can do.  We have assignments for jobs such as changing the date, feeding the classroom pets, making sure the glassware is washed and put up, straightening the desk, placing the trash cans outside, checking the cleanliness of the lab stations, etc. These are just a few routines and procedures that allow us to say Yes to Success in the Classroom.  What routines and procedures help you to be successful?

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