January usually marks the mid way point of the school year for most schools in North America. That means you are halfway to summer! YAY!
However… just because we may be starting to count down the days doesn't mean we can be more lenient in our classroom management. In fact, this is the time that many teachers start to lose control of their classrooms.
So, what do you do?!?
R-E-F-L-E-C-T!
(I really hope you sang that to the tune of “Respect”, because I sure did)
Why You Need to Do a Mid Year Reflection
Yes, it's time to do a little reflecting on your classroom management practices. Reflection is an important practice that you can use in your personal life, as well as your job. Today, we are going to focus on ONLY procedures and routines. We want a smooth flowing classroom because that will cut down on many behavior problems and organization issues.
Not sure where to start? I am going to walk you step by step on how to do this. Make sure you have about 10-15 minutes of quiet, uninterrupted time, grab a pen and notepad, and let's begin!
Mid Year Classroom Management Reflection
Here are a few questions to think about. Really try to picture it in your mind or even take these with you to school and observe.
Procedures:
- Where do your students put their unfinished/finished work? How does work get sent home? Are you finding papers in the wrong spot consistently?
- What do your students do if they finish their work early? Are you constantly trying to find something for them to do at the last second?
- Do you have class jobs? Do your students remember their class jobs and actually do them? Are you switching class jobs too often?
- How do you dismiss to centers/next subject? Do your transitions flow smoothly or does it look like a circus?
- Think about how your students line up, use the restroom, ask a question, get supplies, etc. What drives you nuts? How could you fix that?
Routines:
- What does your morning routine look like?
- Are students bumping into each other, talking a lot, going back and forth from one area of the classroom to another?
- What do they do for morning work?
- What does your afternoon routine look like? Do your students help clean the classroom as part of it (if not, make sure to start that now!)
- Do you feel frazzled by the time you are walking to dismissal? How can you change that?
What's Next in your Mid Year Reflection
Once you answer those questions, now decide what IS working and what needs some work. If you need to try a new procedure for how kids line up, then try it! You don't want your procedures and routines to be chaotic the rest of the year. I find that I always had to tweak things as the year went on. Maybe what worked at the beginning of the year is no longer working. And that's okay! Go with the flow!
Make sure to read my blog post all about routines and procedures here. This will give you the tools you need to tweak what needs to be better.
You can also print this FREE Procedures and Routines checklist here! Use it to reteach procedures and routines or to help you brainstorm a new way if something isn't working.
