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Building Classroom Expectations & Community

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Warm UP:

The Why

Please reflect on your warm up sheet:

Why is it important to build classroom expectations and community? How do these areas influence student learning?

Option 3

Attendance

https://forms.gle/FPJ43VbkbUHihwj28

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Why are classroom expectations important?

An effectively managed classroom is one that runs smoothly
Minimal confusion and downtime
Maximizes opportunities for student learning
Rules and procedures refer to stated expectations regarding behavior

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Classroom Community

Students thrive when they know you care and they feel part of a community (just like adults)
Students feel empowered to contribute and take risks if they feel part of a trusted community
Clear expectations help build positive relationships with students
Teaching values, respect, and responsibility help promote a positive classroom community

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Classroom Contracts or Norms

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https://www.teachervision.com/blog/morning-announcements/importance-building-community-classroom

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Procedures Not Rules

Consider this as your one and only rule: �

“You can do anything in the classroom as long as it does not cause a problem for me or anyone else.”

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Procedures NOT RULES

How do I wait in the hallway?

How do I enter the room?

When am I tardy?

What do I do when I enter the classroom?

How will the teacher get my attention?� How do I talk in the room?

How do I ask questions?� How do I wait for help?

How do I move within the room?

When can I leave the room?� How do I leave the room?

What do I do when I am finished?

Where do I turn things in?

Where can I go if I need supplies?

When do I know if I am dismissed?

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The When

Teach procedures when you need them!

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The When

Teach procedures when they are relevant. � For example, you don’t teach procedures all the first day of school, but when the students need to access them.�
Plan to give time for the students to practice the procedures. � Offer feedback and then let them try again.�
Review the procedures every. single. time.� Assuming students “know” what to expect will disappoint you every. single. time.

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Areas to consider procedures

BEFORE CLASS

Drop cell phone off into the holder
Pick up handouts in a designated area
Start warm up activity: exercise, puzzle, instructions, warm up, etc. is on the board prompting students to begin work as they enter the classroom

DURING CLASS

Group work: have clearly defined roles so students are engaged e.g. recorder, speaker, etc.
Transitions: Use bells, chimes or timers to signal the start and stop of activities.
Explicit instructions: Explain when it is appropriate to use computers
Assignment Inbox: Make it clear where to turn in assignments e.g. physical inbox (container) or Managebac
Bathroom procedure: Where to sign out, where to grab a pass
Classroom supplies: Where to find supplies, reminders about how to access and return
Fire and weather drills: Where to go and line up, quiet behavior
Classroom participation: Raise your hand to speak unless small group discussions; wait to be called on

END OF CLASS

Reminders whole group
Reflect on learning
Exit slips

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Expectations --an example

Come to class ON TIME and READY to learn.
LISTEN and FOLLOW instructions.
Raise your HAND to speak.
Be respectful of PEOPLE and THINGS.
Ask QUESTIONS.
Always do your OWN best work.
Use technology RESPONSIBLY.
Work HARD and have FUN.

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Ideas for Routines & Community Building

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Greet students at the door & work toward building relationships

Greet students at the door as much as possible

“In a study published last year, greeting students at the door helped teachers set a positive tone for the rest of the day, boosting academic engagement by 20 percentage points while reducing disruptive behavior by 9 percentage points—adding roughly an hour of engagement over the course of the school day.”

Link to article

“Strategies for establishing, maintaining, and restoring relationships—such as regular check-ins, and focusing on solutions instead of problems—can reduce disruptions by up to 75 percent.”

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Greeting Students: Can you think of any others?

ASK

Ask how their day is going

NAME

Use the student’s name as you greet him/her/them

HIGH FIVE

High five students as they enter

FIST BUMP

Fist bump students as they come in

SOMETHING GOOD

Ask kids to tell you something good about their day

ENGAGE

Engage students in the lesson through questioning or problem solving as they enter.

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Speak when it is quiet

Speak only when students are quiet and ready
Reinforces the need for students to be respectful and listen when you speak
Avoid talking over students because they will think it is okay and will continue to do it.
It is worth the wait!

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Use hand signals and other nonverbal/verbal communication to get the students’ attention

Create procedures the first week of school, so students know what to expect

Holding one hand in the air and looking at the students to get them quiet
Countdown from 5: 5 - 4 -3- 2- 1 and then start speaking (raise your hand)
Clapping your hands
Flicking the lights
Tapping a bell
Saying, “Eyes on me”
Saying, “Give me five” with hand raised and having students raise hands and look at you