How would you like a supply teacher telling you that they didn’t really need to
be there first thing in the morning since your students knew exactly what to
do? There’s no better time to start these
classroom routines than the first day back to school.
Entering the classroom
I start by showing my students how I
expect them to enter the classroom which is single file in the order in which
they arrive outside the classroom. Relate this behavior to real world
expectations such as lining up at a bus stop and ask them how they would feel
if a person who arrived at the stop after them pushed to the front of the
line. I practice this routine all year.
Morning routines
Once inside the classroom make sure you provide clear instructions of what
is expected. For example, I tell the students that they are expected to
place returned work into designated bins and letters to the teacher or money
envelopes in a bin on the teacher’s desk. The students must then return
to their desks and write in their agenda the work of the day which has been
listed on the board.
They then get their literature box, which is a magazine file for each
student, where they keep all their reading e.g. silent reading book, writing,
grammar etc., from a central area, and place it on their desk. If
necessary, they exchange their silent reading book from the classroom
library.
They then go and sit at the carpet
where the chart stand is located and work on the Grammar Morning Work Activity.
I use this grammar activity to help students with punctuation, phonics, spelling rules and more.
This routine is repeated daily which keeps the students focused and
permits the teacher time to do morning attendance and check agendas.
Walking as a class
With the class, I discuss and practice walking the hallway in an
appropriate way. I ask the students what our class should look like
to others as we walk down the hall. We jointly come up with a list
of behaviors such walking in a straight line, being quiet, not
pushing each other etc. This can be done in a lighthearted way by
the teacher demonstrating an inappropriate behavior is an exaggerated
way and then ask the students if this is the proper way.
Washroom rules
To prevent behavior issues with more
than one student leaving the classroom at the same time as well as students
constantly asking to leave the class, my students are allowed two washroom
breaks each day during classroom time. I try not to allow breaks during
instruction time except for an emergency. This does not include recess, lunch,
and snack time. Students do not have to ask to visit the washroom during
non-instruction time. Only one boy and one girl are allowed to go at the
same time. 
I have a chart with a
pocket for each student in the classroom with washroom cards at the top. A student will place a card in their pocket to indicate they are in the washroom.
When they return to class, they return the washroom card and put a popsicle
stick in their pocket to indicate they used one of their two washroom
visits. One of the classroom jobs that are assigned to students
for the end of the day is to remove the sticks from the pockets to ready the
chart for the next day.
Get your Free washroom passes at my TpT store, Laurie’s Classroom.
Fire drills
Again, I use an interactive approach to jointly develop the rules for
responding to fire alarms. This includes how to line up to leave
the classroom, where to stand outside and what to do if they are in the
washroom.
Asking for help
I start by asking the students how they
would get my attention to ask for help. For example, a student will say they
should put their hand up. I would then raise my hand and wave it back and
forth while loudly saying my name and then ask them if this is how I should do
it. This approach is fun for the students and gives them a sense of being part of
the rules development.
By implementing these simple techniques and reinforcing them throughout
the year, you will be a supply teacher’s dream come true and you will have the
time to do your morning routines.
Numbers, not names
While not an activity for the class, one administrative technique that I find really
helpful on the first day is to assign each student a number based on
alphabetical order. There are numerous benefits including:
- collecting material from students since it allows the teacher to quickly determine if someone has not handed it in;
- recording attendance, marks etc.
- behavior charts in the classroom are anonymous;
- organizing any activity that involves placing the students into groups.
As new students come into the class, rather than renumbering all
students, I add letter suffixes and prefixes.
For example, if the new student should be numbered as 17 based on
alphabetical order, I would number them as 16A. If the new student is now number 1, they are
numbered as A1 and the former number 1 student remains as number 1.
My next blog will deal with how to develop long and
short range plans to help you cover all required expectations for the year.
Want to make this year even easier? Visit my TpT store, Laurie’s Classroom, for
lesson plans, daily activities and more free teaching materials: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lauries-Classroom.