Establishing Classroom Tone and Procedures

Sep 19, 2024

Lecture Notes: Setting Classroom Tone and Procedures

Introduction

  • Goal: Establish the classroom tone for the year.
  • Importance of setting routines on the first day of school.
  • Routines help students understand expectations and know what's expected of them in the classroom.

Importance of Procedures

  • Procedures are essential in everyday life (e.g., airport, restaurants).
  • Establishing clear procedures in class helps students understand how to do things correctly.

Classroom Procedures

  • Paper Passing:
    • Correct Method: Left to right or right to left.
    • Importance of practicing the procedure.
  • Timing Transitions:
    • Target: Complete transitions within six seconds.
    • Practice until students meet the target.

Day Two Focus: Rules and Consequences

  • Distinction Between Rules and Procedures:
    • Procedures: How things are done (e.g., entering the classroom, checking out books).
    • Rules: Guidelines and expectations.

Classroom Rules

  1. No offensive language.
    • Respect peers and speak respectfully.
  2. Come to class prepared (with paper and pencil).
    • Teacher provides supplies if needed.

Consequences for Breaking Rules

  • Initial verbal warning.
  • Social skills review during lunch if further action is needed.
  • Establishing a behavior improvement plan if necessary.

Rewards and Student Feedback

  • Students can choose rewards they are interested in.
  • Examples: Homework pass.
  • Respect is a shared value and important in the classroom.

Teaching Respect

  • Respect defined as valuing the worth of people and ideas.
  • Students create promises to show respect in the classroom.
    • Examples: Not writing on books/desks, accepting 'no' for an answer.

Positively Framing Expectations

  • Use a 5:1 ratio of positive framing to addressing negative behavior.
  • Positive reinforcement of following instructions and focusing.

Teacher's Approach

  • Strict but nice: Structured environment with rules and procedures.
  • Caring and friendly demeanor.

Practice and Reflection

  • Rehearse entering the classroom and other routines for improvement and consistency.