My first teaching job was at a Title 1 school with a class of 30 kindergarteners…and I had NO idea what I was doing! It was sink or swim, but thankfully I figured out enough to not completely drown. 😜 I’ve learned a lot about classroom management since then and I’m so eager to share what I’ve learned with you!
I have a reward system in place but procedures are the bread and butter of my classroom management plan! I have a procedure for pretty much EVERYTHING – students arriving to class, morning work, class discussions, carpet time, you name it! I always spend a considerable amount of time at the beginning of the year training my students on these procedures. Thanks to this training, my classroom runs like clockwork now. 😅
When teaching a classroom procedure, I first explain it, and then take the time to model it. Modeling is a crucial step that I often skipped when I first started teaching. Students need to visually see what to do, so I spend time acting out each one. Next, I give my students the chance to practice the procedure and provide feedback and scaffolding as needed. (If you’re not happy with how the students are performing a procedure, offer correction/guidance before it becomes habit!) I also make sure to reinforce the procedure until the students can do it without prompting or support.
Those are the steps I use to teach my students the classroom procedures. And let me tell you, implementing that training was a game changer! I’m excited to share that I’ve put together a classroom management planning guide to help you create your own personalized classroom management plan – one that works best for you and your students! It includes editable planning templates, examples, and tips (based on best practices). Click the image to check it out!
Best of luck!
~Tara