Boy has this topic been a part of my reality the last few days! All (good) teachers know that it's essential to teach every behavior, procedure, and routine in your classroom in the first few days of school. I'll admit that this is a much slower process this year than it has been in past years. I'm learning new routines myself which makes this process feel ever-the-more exhausting.
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So what do I use for procedures in my classroom? This summer I wrote a Classroom Procedural Handbook! I planned on using this as a teaching tool in the beginning, and a "retraining" tool as students began to show they did not know routines and procedures. We're practicing, practicing, practicing! But there's SO MUCH and everything's new to my 3rd graders, so I have to prioritize where I'm retraining right now. I'm hoping I begin to figure things out quickly and that they do the same.
Our school day is very short! I begin teaching at 8:30 and the students dismiss at 1:50. Subtract 30 to 40 minutes for a special, 30 minutes each for Lunch & Recess, and those dreaded transition/hallway walking/bathroom & drink trips/snack times and that's what I have for time to teach everything! It never feels like enough and that clock is my biggest enemy! So these routines and procedures, once learned, will be a god-send! I should note, I have learned that some of these routines are already downright obselete!
So, no, this Management Monday post is not a handy tip for you! But hey, it's something when I'm downright exhausted... :D
Why is the school day so short?! I'm kinda jealous.
ReplyDeleteyeah. how come your school day is so short? can I come and teach there too :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your handbook!!
ReplyDeleteMiss J
Smiles, Crayons, and Endless Stories
I love your handbook! I think I'll do one too. I'm BIG on procedures and have all the things (procedures/routines) written down that I want to teach each day during the first week. I am a huge Harry Wong fan and read his book, The First Days of School, every year before I get back into the swing of things. It's so helpful. I continue to rehearse procedures for several weeks and one day this week I'm actually planning on pretending to be a substitute who has "no clue" how our classroom runs. The students will "help" me out and I'll see how well they can explain our procedures. They will have to tell me how everything is done--from the start of the day to the finish! We'll see how that goes. ;)
ReplyDelete--Ashley
Janis,
ReplyDeleteI'm a former NY teacher now setting up on the west coast, just started following you, and used your Procedures Handbook as a template for my own. THANK YOU!!
Please feel free to check out my blog post and let me know if you'd like me to change any of the ways I credited your hard work!
Thanks again!
~Rajie