| This week many teachers are returning to school | | | | rules, different expectations, and different |
| after a well-deserved winter break. And, many | | | | procedures to follow. |
| teachers will want to dive right back into their | | | | So if you want your students to follow your |
| content. | | | | procedures then you are going to have to |
| This is understandable as many teachers have | | | | re-teach those procedures from time to time. |
| mid-terms exams coming up and many teachers | | | | And, coming back from an extended break is the |
| have their dreaded state exams coming up as | | | | perfect time to do just that. |
| well. Therefore, it is easy to see why many | | | | However, you must also remember, that teaching |
| teachers would want to dive right back into their | | | | is NOT just telling. Teaching your classroom |
| content. | | | | procedures is a 3-step process: |
| However, in my opinion I do not think this is the | | | | 1. Tell the students the procedure. |
| best way to get the second half of the school | | | | 2. Model the procedure for the students. |
| year off to a great start. | | | | 3. Have the students practice the procedure. |
| My approach to the second half of the school | | | | For example, when my students return to school |
| year is to basically start it the same way I | | | | next week we will go over my top five |
| started the first half of the school year...by | | | | procedures. I will put them up on the board as |
| teaching, or in this case re-teaching, the classroom | | | | well as give them a handout. We will read through |
| procedures. | | | | each procedure. Next, I will actually pretend I am |
| Personally, I do not think this is a waste of time. | | | | an 8th grade student and I will model the |
| In fact, I believe that re-teaching the classroom | | | | procedure so they can visualize it. Finally, I will |
| procedures will pay off big in the long run. | | | | have the students practice the procedures. |
| As many teachers will agree, one of the best | | | | This can be done for any procedure whether it is |
| approaches to classroom management is to have | | | | how to walk done the hallway or how to take a |
| your students consistently follow your classroom | | | | seat when they enter the room. |
| procedures. If you can do that then everything | | | | When finished, there is no question that all the |
| else becomes much easier. This is why so much | | | | students know exactly what is expected of them |
| time is spent on classroom procedures during the | | | | in terms of following the classroom procedures. |
| first week of school. | | | | This works very well in establishing a classroom |
| However, teaching procedures is not something | | | | that runs smoothly and it is a great way to get |
| that is done on the first day of school only. | | | | the second half of the school year off to a great |
| Remember, students usually have several | | | | start. |
| different classes with different teachers, different | | | | |