Routines & Procedures
A well-managed classroom has a set of procedures and routines that structure the classroom. A procedure is a method or process for getting things done in the classroom. Once a procedure is done enough times it becomes a routine, which is what students do automatically without prompting or supervision, which allows the teacher to focus on the next task at hand. Below are my classroom procedures that will be taught to my students during the first weeks of class, reinforced throughout the year, and also posted throughout the room.
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Procedure for Passing Time BEFORE Class Bell Rings:
· Time to prepare for study.
· Sharpen your pencils.
· Write the assignment from board in your calendar.
· Keep room quiet.
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Procedure for First Minutes of Every Class Time:
1. Carefully read all directions from assignment on overhead, whiteboard, or paper at desk.
2. Work silently, on your own to complete the Bell-Work assignment.
3. When finished, be ready for the next part of class; by looking over your notes from the
previous class period, skimming chapter we are learning about, and thinking of questions
you have over the content for later classroom discussion.
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Procedure for Instruction Time:
· Have paper ready for notes and examples.
· Focus on the lesson.
· Listen carefully to and follow directions.
· Make an honest effort to understand.
· Ask sensible questions at an appropriate time.
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Procedure for Study Time:
· Work quietly.
· Concentrate on your work.
· Raise your hand for questions.
· If you finish early, occupy yourself quietly– read a BOOK – do another lesson.
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Procedure for Quieting Our Class
When I want your undivided attention, I will raise my hand.
You will:
1. Freeze
2. Turn and face me; pay attention and keep your eyes on me.
3. Be ready for instruction. I will have something to say.
(This should take 5-10 seconds. As a back up plan, I will turn the lights on and off twice.)
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Procedure for Passing in Papers
1. Students in the row closest to the door; quietly place your paper on the desk to your left.
2. Students in that row quietly place both papers onto the desk to your left.
3. Continue in like manner until all papers are passed, in correctly stacked order.
4. Persons in the left-most rows will wait until all the papers in the row reach them, pass
their row's stack of papers to the person in front of them, and the student in the very front
will put all of the papers into the INBOX.
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Procedure for Dismissal at the End of Class
· Tables aligned correctly
· Floor of classroom fully clean
· Remain seated
· Teacher dismisses, not the bell
· Push in your chair
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Procedure for Going to the Bathroom
· At an appropriate time, bring up your filled out bathroom pass; I will sign it and dismiss you.*
· If it is a bathroom emergency, GO! We will sort out the details when you get back.
· If you need to use the restroom before class, but run the risk of being tardy, come get my
permission, quickly use the restroom, and start working on your Bell Work immediately after
returning to class.
* Each student will be given two bathroom passes per semester. (Students can receive more
passes with an approved doctor's note.)
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Procedure for Being Absent
1. Collect missed assignments, handouts, and notes from the absent binder.
2. In the absent binder, read the schedule for the day you missed.
3.Turn in any homework due from the day you were absent.
4. At an appropriate time during class, or at the end of class, ask the teacher any questions
you have about the day you missed.
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____________________________________________________________________________________
Procedure for Passing Time BEFORE Class Bell Rings:
· Time to prepare for study.
· Sharpen your pencils.
· Write the assignment from board in your calendar.
· Keep room quiet.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Procedure for First Minutes of Every Class Time:
1. Carefully read all directions from assignment on overhead, whiteboard, or paper at desk.
2. Work silently, on your own to complete the Bell-Work assignment.
3. When finished, be ready for the next part of class; by looking over your notes from the
previous class period, skimming chapter we are learning about, and thinking of questions
you have over the content for later classroom discussion.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Procedure for Instruction Time:
· Have paper ready for notes and examples.
· Focus on the lesson.
· Listen carefully to and follow directions.
· Make an honest effort to understand.
· Ask sensible questions at an appropriate time.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Procedure for Study Time:
· Work quietly.
· Concentrate on your work.
· Raise your hand for questions.
· If you finish early, occupy yourself quietly– read a BOOK – do another lesson.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Procedure for Quieting Our Class
When I want your undivided attention, I will raise my hand.
You will:
1. Freeze
2. Turn and face me; pay attention and keep your eyes on me.
3. Be ready for instruction. I will have something to say.
(This should take 5-10 seconds. As a back up plan, I will turn the lights on and off twice.)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Procedure for Passing in Papers
1. Students in the row closest to the door; quietly place your paper on the desk to your left.
2. Students in that row quietly place both papers onto the desk to your left.
3. Continue in like manner until all papers are passed, in correctly stacked order.
4. Persons in the left-most rows will wait until all the papers in the row reach them, pass
their row's stack of papers to the person in front of them, and the student in the very front
will put all of the papers into the INBOX.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Procedure for Dismissal at the End of Class
· Tables aligned correctly
· Floor of classroom fully clean
· Remain seated
· Teacher dismisses, not the bell
· Push in your chair
____________________________________________________________________________________
Procedure for Going to the Bathroom
· At an appropriate time, bring up your filled out bathroom pass; I will sign it and dismiss you.*
· If it is a bathroom emergency, GO! We will sort out the details when you get back.
· If you need to use the restroom before class, but run the risk of being tardy, come get my
permission, quickly use the restroom, and start working on your Bell Work immediately after
returning to class.
* Each student will be given two bathroom passes per semester. (Students can receive more
passes with an approved doctor's note.)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Procedure for Being Absent
1. Collect missed assignments, handouts, and notes from the absent binder.
2. In the absent binder, read the schedule for the day you missed.
3.Turn in any homework due from the day you were absent.
4. At an appropriate time during class, or at the end of class, ask the teacher any questions
you have about the day you missed.
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What if the procedures are not being followed?
It is incredibly important for all students to understand and consistently follow our classroom procedures. Unlike rules and norms, not following procedures do not have negative consequences, like a detention for example. A rule is something that can be broken, whereas, a procedure is something that is learned and done.
If a student is not following a classroom procedure, I will:
If a student is not following a classroom procedure, I will:
- Ask them what the procedure is that they should be following.
- Explain or restate the procedure so that it is easily understood.
- Have the student rehearse and act out the proper procedure.
- Praise them for completing the procedure properly
- Reinforce the proper procedure when they complete it in the future
Daily Routine
Along with having a set list of procedures for how the class operates optimally, it is beneficial to have an layout of what a typical weekday looks like. I have provided below an outline for what my typical daily schedule will look like. Although all schools have slightly different schedules, the overall structure of my day will stay the same, and I will adapt my schedule accordingly.
There are a couple important things to note on my schedule. I enjoy arriving early to ensure that I have plenty of time to double check my preparations. In addition, I am a strong believer in the old phrase, "The early bird catches the worm." I interpret this to mean that if I am early to work, then I can make sure that I have the necessary measures in place for my students to learn. Beyond that, I enjoy having time in the morning to greet students and chat with fellow educators.
Another important thing to notice in my schedule is the intentional time made for communication with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. Communication is an essential part of teaching because the work I am doing involves numerous amounts of people and their interactions between other people. I have another section of this website which describes specifically how I plan for some of the communication to take place.
One last thing that I feel is an important part of my daily schedule is the time blocked for coaching. I intend to coach either wrestling or football at the high school level. As a former athlete I know that a good coach can be a hard thing to find. Also, a coach that is a teacher can have a huge impact in the life of young men. Although I am unsure of which sport I will be coaching, I know that it will be an important part of my daily schedule.
There are a couple important things to note on my schedule. I enjoy arriving early to ensure that I have plenty of time to double check my preparations. In addition, I am a strong believer in the old phrase, "The early bird catches the worm." I interpret this to mean that if I am early to work, then I can make sure that I have the necessary measures in place for my students to learn. Beyond that, I enjoy having time in the morning to greet students and chat with fellow educators.
Another important thing to notice in my schedule is the intentional time made for communication with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. Communication is an essential part of teaching because the work I am doing involves numerous amounts of people and their interactions between other people. I have another section of this website which describes specifically how I plan for some of the communication to take place.
One last thing that I feel is an important part of my daily schedule is the time blocked for coaching. I intend to coach either wrestling or football at the high school level. As a former athlete I know that a good coach can be a hard thing to find. Also, a coach that is a teacher can have a huge impact in the life of young men. Although I am unsure of which sport I will be coaching, I know that it will be an important part of my daily schedule.
This is an example of my typical daily schedule.
