Routines that will stand the test of time

As a new teacher it is imperative for you to start your year with clear routines and procedures, clear classroom expectation, ask for help if needed, have a great culture and climate in your room..
  • ​As a teacher you are a mandated reporter
  • Parent teacher conferences, what is my role, how do I prepare?  Ask someone in your building or meet with a colleague/mentor.
  • Never throw away paper that has private information (student name, grades, addresses or the like) about staff or students, always shred them.​

​Common routines and procedures

Questions to consider while you are creating your classroom routines and procedures.
  1. How do you want students to enter the classroom?
  2. How you want to get students attention? (lights off, bell as a signal, clap, etc.)
  3. Do you want to line students up to leave the room?
  4. How you want them to communicate during class? (hands in the air)
  5. How are transitions going to work?
  6. When do you allow students to go to the bathroom, get a drink, sign in and out of the classroom?
  7. What quality of work are you expecting? How would you communicate that with the student?
  8. What are your classroom rules?
  9. When do you send students out of the room or to the office for behavior?
  10. If you have to step out of the room for a minute, what do you expect your class to do?

Clear expectations
Student expectations for beginning teachers
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Links to help with your classroom

Clear routines - Rules, Routines, and Standards in Elementary and Secondary Grades
  • 32 Classroom routines every teacher needs
  • “First 6 Weeks” teaching procedures, here’s a book that might help!  
  • How to set up your room
  • Video for Routines and procedures
  • Video for clapping hands for routine and procedures
  • Video to help calm the class and refocus

​Common student expectations for the classroom

Examples you might want to use in your classroom environment.  Be explicit with examples.
  1. Follow classroom rules.
  2. Be on time.
  3. Be prepared for class.
  4. Be considerate and respectful.
  5. Show respect for school property and students.
  6. Hand in assignments on time.
  7. Wait to be dismissed.
  8. Use an inside voice.
 
  • Don’t be intimidated to ask questions to veteran staff, everyone knows you will have questions.
Veteran staff are more than willing to help you find things, share experiences, talk about grading, boundaries, phones, etc.
  • Culture and Climate
If you are worried about culture and climate in your classroom or school the following websites will have information about models you can use.  It is the PBIS or Positive Behavior Intervention System.
How to create a caring classroom community

Make norms, connections and expectations.  For example:
  • Treat others as you would like to be treated.
  • Respect other people and their property (e.g., no hitting, no stealing).
  • Laugh with anyone, but laugh at no one.
  • Be responsible for your own learning.
  • Come to class and hand in assignments on time.
  • Do not disturb people who are working.

Understand the language used in class, common words understood by all.
  • Shared language
  • Thumbs up, to the side and down
  • How do you want to make decisions in class, vote fist to 5
  • If you see students are squirmy in their seats, take the time to get the wiggles out, stretch, breath, whatever it takes to get them back on track to focus in your classroom.
Get to know each other, team building, modeling, teaching appropriate behavior.
  • Video to get to know your kids using Wordle to get to know your students
  • Video for icebreakers ages 6-12
  • Video icebreakers for middle or high school students  
Be Respectful, Responsible and Safe
  • Model
  • Teach them what respect is
  • Teach them how you should be responsible
  • What does safe look like?
Allow for individuality (recognize we are all different)
Connecting with the community

Survey parents/students what are the likes and needs of our community?
  • Survey Monkey
  • Google Forms
  • Weebly
 
Ask questions about the community with staff and students.
  • Survey Monkey
  • Google Forms
  • Email
  • Google Hangout
  • Google Classroom
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Visit neighborhoods, restaurants, etc.
  • Go eat at restaurants, coffee shops
  • Drive through the neighborhoods to see where your students live
  • Attend functions if possible in the neighborhoods like parades, events, fundraisers, etc.
 
​Attend athletic events, games, concerts, plays, attend parent/IEP/504 meetings, school board meetings, town meetings, etc.
  • It is important to try and attend at least a couple of athletics sports events to show students you are invested in what they are involved with and be a support to them.
  • It’s all about the relationships, build these and they will invest in you.
  • Attend concerts, plays to show your support
  • You don’t have to attend all school board or town meetings, but going to at least a couple will give you a sense of how the district works.
  • If you have questions about how an IEP/504 meetings run, make sure you talk to your special education teacher to see what he/she expects you to do in the meeting. Usually they have a worksheet for you to follow like: What are his/her strengths, weakness, need improvement in, questions I have are...


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