8 Simple Ways to Teach Classroom Routines and Procedures During the First Month of School
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The first month of school sets the tone for the entire year. It’s an essential time to establish clear classroom expectations if you want to create a classroom that runs smoothly and is enjoyable for everyone. Use these 8 simple ways to teach classroom routines and procedures during the first month of school to ensure students understand what is expected in your classroom and have fun learning them!
- Role Playing
- Visual Aids
- Modeling
- Routine Songs or Chants
- Classroom Tours
- Routine Practice Sessions
- Storytelling
- Interactive Games
Why Teach Classroom Procedures and Routines?
You MUST give students clear expectations before you can expect them to understand exactly what you are looking for!
Focusing on the most important classroom routines and procedures before diving deep into academics makes it clear to your students that your classroom is a safe space where they will know what to expect each day. When students feel safe, they are more likely to be ready to learn.
The foundation you invest in early on will help build a positive learning environment and create the strong classroom management of your dreams!
8 Ways to Teach Classroom Routines and Procedures
Use these simple ways to teach classroom routines and procedures by making learning fun and memorable:
1. Role-Playing
First, let students role-play together! Have them act out different routines such as lining up, asking to go to the bathroom, or transitioning between activities.
Practice in small groups depending on the particular routine you are targeting. By practicing together, you can address small problem areas head-on before you actually need to implement these routines into your busy day.
Use the cards included in the Hallway Behaviors Social Skills Resource to make learning more memorable and engaging.
Role-play each routine as many times as you need to for success!
2. Visual Aids
Next, incorporate visual aids throughout your classroom for easy reference. Use posters, charts, and pictures that outline various classroom rules and routines.
The visuals in the Cafeteria Expectations Social Skills Resource will help your students remember how to line up quietly and with self-control, pay attention in line, use good manners, clean up, and more!
3. Modeling
Modeling is another very helpful way to teach your students important classroom routines and procedures. Demonstrate the expected behaviors yourself.
Show students exactly how to perform each routine—such as how to enter the classroom quietly or how to organize their desks.
4. Routine Songs or Chants
Next, create simple songs or chants for different routines like cleanup time or the morning routine. The rhythm of music helps students remember and children love music, so it only makes sense to add it to your teaching!
Use these FREE classroom management songs to keep things easy for you and fun for your students!
5. Classroom Tours
Give your students a guided tour of the classroom to help them familiarize themselves with your classroom and areas associated with important classroom procedures and routines.
As you go, point out important areas like:
- where to store backpacks
- where to find supplies
- where to put finished work
- where to sharpen pencils
These FREE Finished Work Signs are perfect to help keep student papers organized.
6. Routine Practice Sessions
Next, practice routines with your students!
Dedicate time to practice important routines as a whole group. Do so repeatedly until students become comfortable with them.
Routines to practice together:
- Lining up
- Walking quietly to the cafeteria, library, or art classroom
- Raising a hand before speaking
- Morning routine
Social skills stories (like the Cafeteria Expectations Social Skills Resource) are perfect to read prior to these dedicated group practice sessions to remind everyone of expected behaviors.
7. Storytelling
Also, use books that illustrate good behavior and classroom routines. Choose ones with kid-friendly language and pictures to keep learning age-appropriate and engaging!
Discuss the stories afterward to reinforce the lessons learned and clarify any questions students might have.
Grab this Back to School Routines & Procedures Mini Bundle and have social skills stories readily available for the following classroom routines and procedures:
- Walking in the Hallway
- Playground
- Cafeteria
8. Interactive Games
Finally, play interactive games that incorporate routines to get your students moving as they practice their knowledge of classroom routines and procedures.
Interactive Game Ideas:
- “Simon Says” with classroom procedures
- A scavenger hunt for learning classroom rules
- “What Would You Do?”: Playground Edition
- Charades
- Pictionary
These hands-on activities not only help students understand classroom routines but also make learning these procedures a fun and engaging experience— they won’t even realize they’re learning!
Teaching routines and procedures during the first month of school can be fun for everyone! By incorporating these 8 simple ways to teach classroom routines and procedures, you can create a positive and structured learning environment where students thrive. The investment you make at the beginning of school will pay off throughout the rest of the year— helping your classroom run smoothly and efficiently!
Let me know if you have any questions about anything you see here. Don’t forget to pin this post to refer to it later!
Other posts you may enjoy:
Most Important Classroom Routines and Procedures: What to Teach and How to Teach It
Surprisingly Easy Secrets For Prepping the Perfect Field Trip
Successful Tips How To Improve Student Behavior At Assemblies
TREAT YOURSELF TO STRESS FREE PLANNING FOR BACK TO SCHOOL WITH THIS
Free Back To School Routines & Procedures Checklist
Everything you need to remember for back to school in one convenient place!
Diane Romo
Thank you for being here! I love sharing ideas with other teachers! If you are looking to enhance your teaching and build a positive classroom community, you have come to the right place!
