Will be able to define routines and stability in a classroom.
Will be able to explain the importance of establishing routine and stability in a classroom.
Will be able to identify methods of establishing routine and stability in a classroom.
Will be able to create a plan on how they will establish routine and stability in a classroom.
Tasks
Post your biggest takeaway from the lessons on the Unit Jamboard. Explain how it relates to your classroom goals.
Answer all Scenario-Based Questions for this Unit.
Develop a plan for implementing and maintaining routine in a classroom.
Lesson 1: Importance of Routine in the Classroom
Routine is extremely important in the classroom, not only for academics and helping the day run smoothy, but it also provides stability and aids in student behavior. With routine, students feel more confidence and security when their day-to-day is familiar to them. [1] Having a set schedule and routine aids in the children to "feel in control of their environment; feel safe, secure, and comfortable; know what is happening now and what will come next; know how to do an activity or task; and engage in learning."[1] Implementing routines can also aid in a child's social-emotional development and prevents negative behaviors.[1]
Lesson 2: How to Maintain Routines in the Classroom
In this section, we will learn of how we can implement and maintain routines in the classroom. Start by watching the video below from edutopia, in which 5th grade teacher Jenny Krystopowicz talks about how she implemented and maintained classroom routines. Following the video, you will find examples of routines that can be followed to ensure stability in the classroom.
Having a schedule posted in the classroom helps both the teacher and students in the room. Having the visual display aids in teachers staying on task, and helps students to know what they should be doing, when they should do it, and where they should be (if applicable). [2] Depending on grade level, schedules can include photographs, icons, words, or a combination, as shown to the right.[2]
Procedures
In order to effectively implement and maintain procedures in the classroom, starting early is critical. These expectations need to be implemented within the first few days of school, and must be enforced continuously until it appears to be second nature for students. Many procedure implementations have been suggested[3], including;
A quiet signal: a simple signal, either silent or a quiet sound, that students recognize as a sign to quiet their voices and look to the teacher for further instructions. This can be a hand signal, a code word, or even a doorbell sound.
Lining up to leave the classroom: can be done by putting a line of tape on the floor, establishing an order in which they line up, or a rhyming routine to remind them how to properly walk in line.
Entering the classroom in the morning: students should have a set routine of when they arrive to school which can include hanging up their backpack, selecting their lunch choice, grabbing morning work, eating breakfast, and so on.
Using the restroom: students should be clear on how to ask to go to the bathroom (will they ask the teacher, use a hand signal, or just go and write their name on a sign out sheet?) and when an appropriate time to go to the bathroom is (during transition times, during independent work, etc.).
What students should do when you are teaching: students should understand that they should not get up during a lesson, should not blurt out, should raise their hands, and so on.
The full list of suggested procedures can be found here.
Transitions
Transition times can be very difficult for students, especially if they are unstructured and chaotic. Instead of students being told what to do and being expected to do it efficiently, there have been strategies[4] to encourage a smoother transition, including:
Setting up a countdown timer and displaying it on the board.
Announcing the transition five minutes before it will happen to prepare students.
Establishing a transition song or sound that you will play when it is time to transition. Students will get in the habit of transitioning activities when they hear the specific song or sound. Different sounds or songs can be used for different transitions for an even smoother operation.
Discipline
While establishing routines and stability is generally thought of to be for all positive aspects of a classroom, it is also essential to maintain stability when it comes to discipline. Children learn what behavior is acceptable and appropriate for the classroom through the establishment of classroom expectations, however students will likely go against these expectations in order to see what they can get away with. Predictable and consistent consequences provide children with a sense of stability and security[5], even if they may not show it. Not maintaining consistency with consequences for behavior leads to confusion for the child. For example, if a student is continuously disruptive during a lesson, you may decide to have them sit out for a portion of their recess. The next day, the student is disruptive again however they do not sit out for recess. The inconsistency of the discipline leaves the child confused and with a lack of understanding of the reasoning behind the rules and expectations[5].
Scenario-Based Questions
Use this Google Form to view and respond to the Scenario-Based Questions (SBQ) for this unit.
Once you have checked your responses, you can move onto your plan development to complete this unit.
Plan Development
Now that you have completed the lessons, answered the scenario-based questions, and analyzed your responses, you will create a plan on how you will establish routine and stability in your classroom.
Make it as detailed as you feel comfortable with, and feel free to customize the slides to what best fits you. This will work as your reference for when you are starting your first year of teaching.
