Developing Instructional Routines

 

Believe it or not, standard routines and procedures are some of the most effective tools in maintaining classroom discipline. Like other classroom rules, you should teach standard routines and procedures to make sure students understand that there are expectations for behavior in your classroom. The following is a suggested list of common activities for which you may want to develop and teach routines:

USE OF CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL FACILITIES

• Use of computer stations, learning centers
• Use of shared materials, bookshelves, drawers
• Use of teacher's desk and storage areas
• Access to bathrooms, drinking fountains, sink, bathroom, pencil sharpener
• Entering and leaving the classroom
• Fire drill
• School assemblies
• Cafeteria
• Library

END OF SCHOOL DAY OR CLASS

• Clean up and putting away materials
• Organizing for different classes
• 'Wind-down' routine or activity
• Dismissal

STUDENT WORK

• Paper headings
• Pen or pencil?
• Neatness
• Incomplete assignment
• Late assignment
• Missing assignment
• Due dates/times of day when due
• Make-up assignments due to absences

FEEDBACK AND GRADING

• Giving specific feedback - grades, written comments, conferences - when and how will different types of feedback be given?
• Determining report card grade - what's included, how is it weighted?
• Grading daily assignments
• Recording grades
• Checking and returning corrections