Teachers want to teach, so writing classroom procedures that create a safe and respectful environment for students and teachers is a high priority for back to school!
Every veteran teacher knows – classroom procedures can make a school year successful and enjoyable. When students know what to do – the classroom runs itself.
Teachers can teach, and students can learn. Having established procedures for everything helps to reduce interruptions and discipline problems. Procedures tell students how things work.
Procedures help students learn to respect the classroom environment, supplies, each other, and you. They create a community of shared values.
Deciding what procedures you want and need is important and must be done before school starts. You definitely don’t want to be coming up with them in the moment. Your student’s ability to feel safe in your classroom – both physically and emotionally – begins with their belief that you have things under control.
In order to do that, you need to plan.
First, decide on what procedures you will need. Visualize your classroom. I wrote this post that might help you: 5 First Day Procedures You Need to Teach the First Day of School.
Second, make a list of procedures.
Third, plan out the steps for each procedure. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you plan:
1. Who needs to know how to do this?
2. What do students need to know how to do?
3. Why is this procedure important?
4. Does this procedure apply to all or some of my students?
5. What is the easiest way for students to follow this procedure?
Let’s dig into the 3rd step – Planning the Procedures:
1. Who needs to know how to do this?
During the day, you may have students other than your own who need to know specific procedures that apply to them.
But also, some procedures apply to small groups of students – in a center or with you in a learning group.
Procedures can also be for students who are working independently while you are meeting with a small group.
2. What do students need to know how to do?
3. Why is this procedure important?
4. Does this procedure apply to all or some of my students?
Some procedures apply to the entire class. Turning in homework, bathroom routines, and lunch orders. However, some will only apply to certain groups – early arrivals, bus riders, or students who are pulled out for special needs or enrichment.
5. What is the easiest way for students to follow this procedure?
A Free Resource for You!
Writing the procedures can feel very daunting, but I have a resource that I know will help you write procedures that will create the safe and respectful classroom you want and your students’ need!
1. Procedures Worksheet
2. Sample Procedures
3. Procedures List
4. How to Teach Classroom Procedures
It will take you through the steps to create the best procedures for your classroom!
If you want a FREE step-by-step organized way to create your own classroom procedures, just click here: Classroom Procedures Teacher Resource.