Why Classroom Management Procedures are Important

Every time a teacher wants something done, they think of a procedure for how it will get done. For example, transitioning between activities. Procedures help students know what to do when the bell rings, when their pencil breaks, when they finish their work early, or when the need to use the restroom. A smoothly running classroom is the result of a teacher’s ability to effectively teach procedures for just about everything in their classroom.

From the time students enter your classroom, they must know your expectations. Classroom management strategies like procedures dictate what students are to do and how they will work. A procedure explains how you want something done, and it is your job as the teacher to clearly explain it. Procedures are necessary for several reasons. First, they are needed to effectively function in your classroom. Second, they reduce classroom interruptions and discipline problems because they tell students how things will work.

How to Teach Procedures

There are three simple steps to follow when teaching a procedure. You must explain what you expect of the students, then practice it, and lastly reinforce it until it becomes a routine. Beginning the first day of school, you must have procedures for the following:

• Being in the hallway
• When to sharpen your pencil
• Collecting papers
• Entering the classroom
• Leaving the classroom
• Asking a question
• Transitioning from activities

You must spend ample time during the first few weeks of school getting to know your students and introducing, modeling, and practicing procedures. If you find that students are not understanding and following a procedure, then reteach it, offer feedback, and rehearse until you find it acceptable. Remind the class of the procedure by saying, “Okay, class, I would like to remind you that when the bell rings we remain in our seats until I dismiss you.” Then practice with the students and have them experience it. When the bell rings, have the students look around and see that they are all sitting at their seats. Then thank them and tell them they did a good job.

Using the Steps to Teach All Procedures

Here are a few examples of how to use the basic three steps to teach specific procedures.

Procedure for using the restroom. Explain that when you need to use the restroom, you must get up quietly and take the hall pass and leave the classroom. Upon return, you must hang your hall pass back up and quietly go back to your seat. Next, model what you want it to look like. Then have a few students in the class practice what it should look like.

Procedure for seeking help. Explain that when a student has a question, they are to first think about it and see if they already know the answer; then their next step would be to ask someone next to them, and then finally raise their hand or flip their sign that is at their desk from green to red so the teacher knows they need help. Next, model what this should look like. Then have students take turns practicing what it should look like.

Procedure for entering the classroom. Explain that when students enter the classroom they will put their stuff away (if it is the start of the day) and go to their seats. Demonstrate for the students how you want it to look. Finally, have all of the students practice your procedure.

An effective teacher spends a lot of time teaching and practicing procedures. Once you have your procedures in place, you will find that it will become second nature to your students and your class will practically run by itself. Do not get discouraged if you find that students are not getting it. Just keep practicing, and they will get it in no time.

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