Establishing routines and procedures in your classroom is essential to think about as you are planning back to school. Middle schoolers thrive on structure and knowing what to expect each day. This post will outline some tips for creating and implementing a routine in your classroom. You can use these tips to help get your year started off on the right foot!
Teach your Routines and Procedures
Routines and procedures are an important part of any classroom. By teaching students routines and procedures at the beginning of the year, you can help them feel more comfortable in the classroom and set the stage for a successful year of learning.
Routines help students know what to expect, and procedures provide a step-by-step guide for completing tasks. Routines and procedures should be specific to your classroom and should be taught in a way that is positive and encouraging.
Be sure to model the behavior you expect from your students, and provide opportunities for them to practice the routines and procedures.
Start each class period the same
One way to establish a routine in your classroom is to start each class period the same way. This might mean having a quick review of the previous day’s lesson, doing a quick activity to get students moving and engaged, or going over the agenda for the day.
Having a set routine at the beginning of each period will help your students know what to expect and help them get into a productive mindset. You can use this time to take attendance or answer student questions while giving every student something to do. Having a consistent routine will help your students feel comfortable and ready to learn.
Make sure your students have a way to stay organized
If your students don’t have a way to keep track of their assignments, they’re likely to fall behind. Students should have a planner to write down homework assignments and upcoming tests. You can also post a daily agenda on your classroom website or LMS system. Students should also have a notebook to keep track of their notes and papers. Encouraging your students to stay organized will help them stay on top of their work and be successful in class.
Give your students regular breaks
Middle schoolers have a lot of energy and can get easily restless. Sitting at a desk all day long can make for a very long (maybe even boring) day. Make sure to provide plenty of opportunities for your students to get up and move around.
You can incorporate movement into your lesson, by having students stand up to answer questions, find a partner in the room to discuss their answers, plan a gallery walk, or do a quick activity in between tasks, there really are lots of options. Allowing your students to opportunities to move will help them stay focused and engaged in learning.
Encourage participation
Classroom participation is key to keeping your students engaged in learning. When students are involved in the lesson, they’re more likely to retain information and be motivated to do their best work. There are many ways to encourage participation, such as calling on students to answer questions, having them work in small groups, or inviting them to share their ideas with the class. Find what works best for your classroom and make participation a regular part of your routine!
End each period with a review
Taking a few minutes at the end of each period to review what was learned will help your students remember the material and be prepared for the next class. You can do a quick round of questioning, have students share one thing they learned, or assign a short reflective writing assignment. You can also do a quick summary of the main points, have students share what they learned, or assign a short practice exercise. Reviewing regularly will help your students stay on track and be successful in your class.
When you are establishing your classroom routines, keep these tips in mind to help create a successful learning environment for your students!
Do you have any other tips for establishing a routine in the classroom? Share them with us in the comments below or join the conversation in the Facebook group!
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