This week, I welcome guest blogger Chaia from All Things Exceptional to the Letters and Ink Blog! She’s an awesome educator who has offered to share her expertise on how to reset classroom expectations because you KNOW our kiddos will need it after winter break! If you need some help setting expectations, be sure to check out this post: 5 Things To Do Before You Teach Content This Year.
Here’s why and how to reset classroom expectations after a break:
Routines and procedures need to be reexamined regularly to ensure that they are still beneficial to your classroom environment and students. Right before and sometimes during breaks, I reexamine ALL of my routines and procedures. Why? Sometimes I find that they need to be tweaked a little due to a change in classroom environment, size, additional help, etc. After I make a list of what stays, what needs to change, and what goes, I then determine how I am going to present this to my students.
It usually goes a little something like this:
Class, I’ve taken some time over the break to assess our progress as a class. I have found that we are doing some things well (the routines and procedures I am going to keep) and there are some things that we need to change. I then review those routines and procedures that we do well.
Then we discuss the ones that need to be changed. This part is truly a discussion – we talk about why the change is needed, how we are going to implement the changes and their feelings. I genuinely open the floor for the students (and paras if you have them) to share their feelings about the proposed changes and address any concerns (this ensures buy in). Sometimes this means I need to change something because they bring up valid concerns.
Once all concerns have been addressed and we have agreed to all of the changes, we begin practicing ALL of the routines and procedures. We practice them for at least two weeks before I assess how they are doing. If they are doing well, we keep going. If not, we repeat the process above. (Typically, we don’t have to repeat the process because they are invested due to me including them in the process.)
Remember your routines and procedures should be:
- Clear – anyone (teacher, parent, etc.) should be able to understand and follow your routines and procedures with little to no support. Visuals (especially posters and schedules) play a big part here!
- Consistent – Invest time at the beginning of the year to explicitly teach routines and procedures for everything. If you have help (paraprofessionals, assistants, student teachers, etc.) in your classroom ensure that they know the routines and procedures as well. Periodically, review these routines and procedures to ensure that everyone still remembers them. It is also important to review them when you get a new student or new adult in your classroom.
- Flexible – Things happen. Class sizes grow. The students are not getting it. You move to a different classroom with a different layout. You have to teach during a pandemic. I could go on but I think you get the picture. I typically teach and try a routine for at least two weeks before changing it because it isn’t working. I may stretch that out a little longer depending on the students that I have. There is nothing wrong with changing a routine. Your classroom needs to be functional for the students and you!
Are you still confused? Do you still have questions or concerns? Are you in need of advice related to your routines and procedures? If so, please know that I am here for you. Simply follow and message me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest or send me an email at allthingsexceptional2@gmail.com.
Check out my list of procedures and things to plan for here. It’s free!
