FTS Video Series: 1a. Establish Routines and Norms (Preparation)

Summary

This video script offers practical strategies for establishing smooth routines in the classroom. It emphasizes the importance of creating a routine that helps manage transitions between activities, which can be stressful for both teachers and students. Step one involves choosing a routine based on when transitions are most challenging. Step two breaks the routine into manageable steps, such as signaling time remaining and guiding students to stop and focus. Step three focuses on teaching the routine to students, while step four stresses the need for ongoing reinforcement. These strategies aim to create a more productive, harmonious learning environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Step 1: Choose a routine that maximizes learning time and reduces stress, especially during transitions between activities.
• 😀 Step 2: Break the routine into clear steps, ensuring it aids smooth transitions between tasks for both students and the teacher.
• 😀 Step 3: Provide clear time cues, such as informing students when there are five or one minute left to complete an activity.
• 😀 Step 4: Use a hand-raising signal to get students' attention and signal that it’s time to transition.
• 😀 Step 5: Communicate specific actions for students to take during transitions, such as stopping what they’re doing, focusing on the teacher, and raising their hands.
• 😀 Step 6: Practice the new routine with a few students before introducing it to the whole class to ensure clarity and effectiveness.
• 😀 Step 7: Teaching the routine requires explaining, showing, and practicing so students are clear on expectations.
• 😀 Step 8: Repeating and reinforcing the new routine over time is crucial for it to become a smooth and automatic part of classroom life.
• 😀 Step 9: Consistency in routines helps create a calm, productive learning environment where students know what to expect.
• 😀 Step 10: Well-established routines can transform classrooms into happier, more effective places for learning.

Q & A

What is the main goal of establishing routines and norms in the classroom?

The main goal is to create a happier, smoother, and more productive learning environment.

According to the script, when does the teacher experience the most stress?

The teacher feels most stressed during transitions between activities, when pupils move at different paces.

Why are transitions identified as an important area for establishing routines?

Transitions can cause confusion and disrupt learning when students continue previous tasks or switch too early, making it difficult to manage the class.

What is step one of creating a classroom routine?

Step one is to choose a routine that addresses a common challenge or area where learning time is often lost.

How does the teacher begin breaking a routine into steps?

The teacher mentally walks through the activity, reflecting on past lessons to determine the desired student behaviors during transitions.

Why does the teacher give pupils a warning before a transition?

Giving a five-minute or one-minute warning helps pupils prepare for the upcoming change without feeling rushed or surprised.

What signal does the teacher use to indicate that time is up?

The teacher raises their hand as a signal and waits for calm and quiet before proceeding.

What are pupils expected to do when they see the teacher raise their hand?

Pupils should stop what they are doing, look at the teacher, and raise their own hands to show attentiveness.

What is step three in the process of establishing a routine?

Step three is to teach the new routine explicitly by explaining it, modeling it, and practicing it with a few pupils before the whole class.

Why is modeling the routine important before class-wide practice?

Modeling helps pupils clearly understand the expected behaviors and reduces confusion during transitions.

What does step four involve?

Step four involves reminding and reinforcing the routine over time to ensure pupils remember and consistently follow it.

How do routines help improve classroom management?

Routines provide predictable structures that help pupils move together smoothly, reduce disruptions, and allow the teacher to give instructions more effectively.