I finally feel confident in the classroom norms that I have established. I feel like my students know what to expect from me and what I expect from them. I wanted to share some of the simple changes that I have made in my classroom that helped us go from chaotic to calm.
Start of Class Routine: Create a classroom routine that is structured and consistent. When my students walk into class each day, they know that the expectation is for them to find their seats and check the board for the warm up or instructions. This encourages students to take initiative and start their work before you have even said a word. There are still days when I finish greeting the class at the door, only to turn in and see that a few students are not doing what they are supposed to. Luckily, because of the routines we have established, I can simply ask, "Can someone please raise their hand and tell me what the expectations for coming into class are?" and *magically* those few students typically get back on track.
Classroom Cues: Develop classroom cues to effectively communicate the expectations throughout the day. One of my all time favorite classroom cues is "voice levels" - & don't knock it 'til you try it! I love the consistency that this creates in my classroom. My students know that a level 0 means they are silently working, a level 1 means that they can talk at a whisper, etc. I love these adorable Voice Level Posters! Another classroom cue that has been successful in my classroom is a doorbell. I bought a cheap plug in doorbell and I have to say that it may have been the best $10 I have ever spent! I taught my kiddos at the start of the year that when they hear the doorbell chime, that means that I need their attention.
Consistent Classroom Management: One of the biggest lessons that I learned through my first year of teaching was that kids needs structure and consistency. It is so important that you establish and implement classroom expectations that you hold your students accountable to. My students know exactly the behavior that I expect from them, and we often have class discussions to remind them. I love using this FREE behavior documentation spreadsheet. This has allowed me to personally track classroom management incidents both big and small. I love having these details documented in case there are reoccurring issues or a meeting with parents.
Procedures for Signing In & Out: As a teacher, I quickly learned that I do not have a photographic memory. I cannot always recall who asked to go to the bathroom ~literally~ 30 seconds ago. I knew that I needed to establish a consistent procedure for tracking the revolving door that is my classroom. I keep a few copies of these EDITABLE Sign Out Sheets on a clipboard by my door. When a student asks to leave the room for any reason, they know to sign out on the clipboard and take the hall pass that hangs by the door. If your school requires written hall passes, you can look into these editable hall passes and editable library passes. (NOTE: If your school doesn't have a standardized tardy procedure, check out these Tardy Tracker Templates!)
Consistently Invest in Relationships: My challenge to you is to invest in the relationships with each of your students, consistently. Whether they are a star student, a struggling learner, or a child who continuously acts out - be sure that you are investing in that child. If you consistently build relationships with EVERY student, your entire classroom will benefit.
If your classroom is feeling chaotic, choose one thing to change and implement in your classroom. You may be surprised how much of a difference such a small change can make.
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