Setting Up Your Class for Success: Routines and Expectations

To create a well-managed classroom, it's important to establish clear routines and expectations from the start. Here are some tips:

• Entry Procedures: Have students walk in quietly and go directly to their assigned seats. They should get out all the material needed and be ready to work. This should take longer than 2 minutes and you can even use a timer to keep things running smoothly.  
• Visual Aids: Use visuals, like slides, to show these procedures and to even communicate to students what they will be working on. 
• Two-Minute Rule: Enforce the two-minute rule to establish a sense of urgency and routine.
• Warm-Ups: Begin each class with a consistent "warm-up" activity. These could include answering a question, looking up and copying definitions or copying information into their notebooks.  The activity is not the most important thing but the key is to be consistent with what ever you choose. 
• Consistency: Be consistent with routines, varying the content within each routine, but keeping the process the same.
• New Seating Chart: Don't be afraid to create a new seating chart if you think it will help reduce behavior problems.  
• Monitoring: Walk around the room to monitor student behavior. 

By implementing these strategies, teachers can set the tone for a well-behaved and focused learning environment.

To watch the latest coaching session in which another teacher and myself discuss these topics click on the image above.