60 Must-Teach Classroom Procedures and Routines

As we gear up for another school year, classroom management is at the forefront of every educator’s mind. It’s a common struggle for many teachers, but having a solid set of routines and procedures in place can make all the difference. These 60 routines and procedures are designed to create predictability for students and keep transitions quick and smooth.

Let’s take a closer look at some essential procedures that every classroom should have:

Hand Signals

Hand signals are a great way to communicate with students without disrupting the class. Teach and reinforce these hand signals to keep your classroom running smoothly:

Attention

Use a hand signal, such as a high-five or peace sign, to get students’ attention. When they see you raise your hand, they should raise theirs and wait silently for instructions.

Warning

A warning hand signal can give students a nonverbal cue that their behavior is not appropriate. This can help address issues before they escalate.

Bathroom Break

Establish a nonverbal signal for when a student needs to go to the bathroom. This can help prevent disruptions during a lesson.

Materials

Have a nonverbal signal for when a student needs a tissue, pencil, or book. This can help students get what they need without interrupting the class.

Agree or Disagree

Thumbs-up and thumbs-down signals can be used during discussions to express agreement or disagreement. This can keep the conversation flowing smoothly.

Fist-to-Five

Use a fist-to-five signal to quickly check for understanding. Students show five fingers if they understand and one if they need more help. This can help you identify students who may need extra support.

Arrival

Starting the day off right with a smooth arrival routine sets the tone for the rest of the day. Here are some procedures to consider:

Greeting

Have a poster or other visual aid to help students greet each other and you in the morning. This can create a positive atmosphere in the classroom.

Put Away Materials

Establish a procedure for how students should organize their materials at the start of the day. This can help them start the day off organized and prepared.

Morning Work

Provide students with a task to do as soon as they enter the classroom. This can help them transition into the learning mode and set the tone for the day.

Dismissal

A smooth dismissal routine ensures that students leave the classroom in an organized manner. Consider the following procedures:

Record Homework

Encourage students to record their homework or any announcements before leaving the classroom. This can help them stay organized and prepared for the next day.

Organize Materials

Provide students with a checklist or routine for organizing their notebooks, binders, and backpacks before leaving the classroom. This can help prevent lost or forgotten items.

Tidy Up

Teach students to leave the classroom neat and clean for the next day. This includes putting chairs up, throwing away trash, and any other tidying tasks.

Lining Up

Use fun strategies, such as songs or competitions, to teach students how to line up quickly and quietly. This can make transitions smoother and more enjoyable for students.

Bathroom Routines

Establish clear bathroom routines for students to follow, including how to ask to go to the bathroom and expected behavior while in the restroom.

Signing Out

Have a sign-out sheet and a nonverbal signal for when students need to leave the classroom. This can help you keep track of students’ whereabouts.

Hall Pass

Provide students with a hall pass to use when walking through the hallway to the bathroom. This can help them move through the school safely and efficiently.

Signing Back In

Teach students how to quickly get back on task after returning from the bathroom. This can help minimize disruptions and keep the class running smoothly.

Creating and teaching school bathroom routines and procedures is essential for ensuring a smooth and organized school day for both teachers and students. In addition to bathroom routines, it is also important to establish procedures for other transitions and activities throughout the school day. Let’s explore some key areas where routines and procedures can be implemented to enhance classroom management and student success.

Classroom Transitions

Transitions can be challenging for many students, leading to disruptions and lost instructional time. By teaching and reinforcing transition expectations, all students can better understand what to expect during transitions. One effective strategy is to use timers or countdowns to manage transitions. Providing students with 15-, 10-, and 5-minute reminders can help them prepare for upcoming transitions. Visual timers that change colors based on time remaining can also be helpful in reinforcing the routine.

Movement Breaks

Incorporating movement breaks between activities can help students stay engaged and focused. Activities such as yoga poses or deep breathing exercises can help students transition from one activity to another while also promoting physical well-being.

Recess

Establishing procedures for recess can help ensure student safety and minimize disruptions during this time. Teaching students about boundaries, equipment use, sharing the space, cleanup, lining up, and emergency procedures can promote a positive and organized recess experience.

Calendar and Events

Keeping students informed about school events and important dates is crucial for maintaining a well-organized classroom. Posting a calendar with upcoming events can help students stay on top of important dates. Utilizing digital tools such as Google Calendar can also help students and teachers stay organized and informed about upcoming events.

Technology

Establishing rules and procedures for classroom technology is essential for managing distractions and promoting responsible technology use. Teaching students about tech etiquette, managing devices, and using learning management systems can help students navigate technology use in the classroom effectively.

Turning in Work

Implementing procedures for turning in work can help streamline the process and ensure that all assignments are submitted on time. Using methods such as pass it in, date-stamping work, turn-in trays, and highlighting names can help students submit their work efficiently and help teachers track assignments.

More Classroom Routines

Utilizing visual timers, managing noise levels, using hall passes, and implementing other routines can help create a structured and efficient learning environment. By establishing clear routines and procedures for various aspects of the school day, teachers can promote student success and maintain a positive classroom atmosphere.

Teach students how to quickly and quietly move into their assigned groups, whether it’s by number, color, or shape. This will help keep transitions smooth and save valuable instructional time.

Taking care of the classroom

Establish clear routines for cleaning up, organizing materials, and taking care of the classroom. Teach students where everything belongs and how to properly clean up after themselves. This will help maintain a tidy and organized classroom environment that promotes learning.

Hall pass procedures

It’s important to teach students when it’s appropriate to take a hall pass and how to communicate with other teachers when they are running an errand. Encourage students to only take the hall pass when absolutely necessary and to communicate their whereabouts with a quick note or message to the teacher they are leaving. When they return, teach students how to properly return the hall pass and resume their work without disrupting the class.

By establishing clear procedures and routines for these common classroom scenarios, you can create a more organized and efficient learning environment for your students. Teaching these skills early on will help set the tone for a successful school year and empower students to take ownership of their learning and behavior. incorporate the ideas presented in the original article. Here is the rewritten article:

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When it comes to managing a classroom effectively, having clear procedures and routines in place is key. Not only do these routines help students understand what is expected of them, but they also create a sense of structure and organization in the learning environment. Here are some creative ideas for establishing and reinforcing classroom routines and procedures:

### Pairing Students

One idea to group students is to use pairs of cards for them to match up with their partner. Another idea is to use colored buttons or other materials to group students together. This not only helps in forming groups quickly but also adds an element of fun to the process.

### Calling on Students

Randomly calling on students can be made easier with tools like a random name generator or a cup of Popsicle sticks with students’ names. This ensures that every student has an equal chance of participating in classroom discussions.

### Checking for Understanding

Utilizing methods like thumbs-up or thumbs-down, using a five-finger system, or providing whiteboards for students to write their answers on can help teachers gauge students’ understanding of the material.

### Classroom Guests

Establishing procedures for welcoming and interacting with classroom guests is important. Assigning a “Guest Greeter” role and teaching students how to engage with visitors can create a positive experience for everyone.

### Substitute Teachers

Preparing students for substitute teachers by outlining procedures and expectations can help ensure a smooth transition in the teacher’s absence. Having clear routines in place can make the substitute teacher’s job easier.

### Testing Procedures

Teaching students the procedures for successful test-taking, including how to handle testing materials, maintain a quiet testing environment, and communicate needs effectively, can help reduce anxiety during exams.

### Emergency Procedures

Educating students on the proper procedures to follow in case of emergencies, such as fire drills, intruder drills, tornado, or earthquake drills, is essential for their safety and well-being.

### Reinforcing Routines

Incorporating classroom themes and visuals into routines can make them more engaging and memorable for students. Posting a visual schedule and organizing procedures around a theme can add an element of fun to daily activities.

Establishing and reinforcing classroom routines and procedures is essential for creating a positive and structured learning environment. By implementing creative ideas and visual aids, teachers can help students understand expectations and navigate daily activities with ease.

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By following the original article’s structure and key points, the rewritten content provides a fresh perspective on establishing and reinforcing classroom routines and procedures. The world is constantly changing, and with it, so are our relationships. In today’s fast-paced society, it can be difficult to maintain strong connections with those around us. However, there are ways we can work to strengthen our relationships and build lasting bonds with those we care about.

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