Developing and Teaching Classroom Expectations
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This document provides guidance from an experienced teacher, Mark McLeod, on developing classroom rules, procedures, and expectations for a first-year teacher, Ms. Smith. It includes examples of positive classroom rules focused on respect, as well as detailed procedures and expectations for various classroom situations. Mr. McLeod also provides an accountability checklist for Ms. Smith to develop her own procedures. The overall purpose is to help Ms. Smith establish a well-managed learning environment and positive classroom culture from the first day.
Developing and Teaching Classroom Expectations
- 1. 2013 North Carolina Middle School Association Annual Conference Developing and Teaching Classroom Expectations Session Eight - # 150 Meadowbrook Tuesday (11:15 – 12:15) Mark McLeod 99 James Switzer Road Purvis, MS 39475 (601) 270-8914 Cell (866) 654-2363 Fax
- 2. E-Mail: MTMCLEOD66@AOL.COM Case Study 3 1. Read the case study silently. 2. Answer the questions of the case study on the back of this sheet. My name is Ms. Smith and I am a first year teacher. I am very excited about my new career, but I need your help in developing a community of learners in my classroom. I know you are quite busy, but I have a few questions for you. What rules and procedures do I need? I do not want to bore my students on the first day, but I am adamant about the starting the year off on the right foot. How exactly do I teach rules and procedures? I want it to be fun for the students and want them to like me, but I also want them to know that I’m serious and expect them to comply to the rules and procedures. Should I allow the students to help me make the rules and procedures? If so, how do I let them? I have begun working on class rules and wondered what you thought about the following (I will put it on a laminated poster): Class Expectations Respect for Self I will always do my best. I will positively participate in all classroom activities. Respect for Others I will stay on task without disturbing or distracting others. I will not use “put downs” or make fun of others. I will respect other people’s differences and opinions. Respect for School I will be seated when the bell rings. I will raise my hand for permission to speak or leave desk. I will enter and exit the room quietly. I will actively listen when the teacher is speaking. I know most educational professionals will tell you to keep rules to a max of 6. Do you think the above is too much? I really like how positive they are, and how they all revolve around respect. I want to be the best teacher I can be and make a difference in the lives of my students. Please help me!!!! 2
- 3. Examples of Classroom Rules 1. Be on time! Be in your assigned seat working on your bell activity before the tardy bell rings. {No warning!!} 2. Be prepared for class. Make sure you have your notebook, textbook, pencils and calculator (if allowed). {No warning!!} 3. Receive permission to speak or leave your desk. 4. Food, drinks, candy and gum are not allowed in the classroom at any time. {No Warning!!} 5. Be respectful to yourself, your classmates and your teacher at all times. (This includes words and actions.) 6. Keep your book/notebook open and continue to work until the bell rings. 7. Follow directions the first time given. 8. Do nothing to hinder the educational process. 3
- 4. Examples of Classroom Procedures/Expectations 1. Enter the classroom quietly and in an orderly manner. 2. As you entered class, you were assigned a seat. This will be your permanent seat unless I move you. 3. Always sit up straight in your desk facing forward. 4. The day’s date can always be found in the same place everyday: the top right – hand corner of both marker boards. 5. Our attention getter will be the ringing of my bell. Expectations are for you to stop what you are doing (talking, group activities, visitors, etc.) and give me active listening. 6. Please raise your hand and sit quietly to ask/answer a question, to comment, sharpen your pencil, or get permission to leave your desk. Do not blurt out answers or questions. 7. Please take care of restroom/water breaks between classes. You will be given 2 restroom passes for each 9 weeks for use in an emergency. Use them wisely! If you do not use them, you will receive two homework grades of 100. If you do need to go to restroom after you have used both of your passes, you will be allowed to go, but you will have to make up the time you miss before school, at break, after lunch, or after school. 8. If you need to purchase any type of supplies (pencils, paper, etc.) make sure you do so before the tardy bell rings. Supplies will not be sold during class. 9. Make sure you have two sharpened pencils every day. “Pop pencil checks” will be conducted throughout the year. 10. You will have an assignment (5 Min. Check, Bell Activity, in-class writing, etc.) on the board/overhead projector every day before the bell rings for class to begin. Immediately begin this assignment as soon as you are seated. If you had homework the previous night, have it out and ready to check. There should be no talking during this time. 11. You are responsible for keeping your work area clean. You may not get up during class to throw things in the garbage can. You may do this on your way out the door at the end of class. 12. If calculators are being used, make sure you get your calculator before the tardy bell rings. 13. Please do not write on the desks. I will check each desk after each period. If you write on your desk, you will clean every desk in the classroom. 4
- 5. 14. When you receive your textbook, check it for any type of damage. Make a list of all damage and turn it in. If your book is damaged and you do not turn in a list, you will be responsible for that damage at the end of the year. Make sure your textbook is always covered with a book cover. 15. If you are caught cheating on an assignment/test, you will receive a zero. If you use someone else’s homework, you and the other person will both receive a zero. 16. Write all assignments/upcoming tests or quizzes on your assignment calendar. Your assignment calendar should look like the assignment on the board. 17. When completing a homework assignment, always put your name, the page # and problems to work at the top of your homework paper. (Pg. 82 # 10 – 30 E) 18. If you miss an assignment of test due to an absence, it is your responsibility to arrange time to make up this work. Please discuss this with me before or after school, during break or before class begins. 19. You will receive one homework pass at the beginning of the year. This pass may be used once to receive full credit on an incomplete homework assignment. Additional passes will be given to all students who do not receive a warning for violating a classroom rule from the beginning of the 9 – weeks through progress report OR from progress reports to the end of the 9 – weeks. 20. In case of a fire, the bell will have short rings. We will quietly and calmly line up and exit the building to the right of the classroom door. We will remain in a group and walk to the fence around the field. There should be no talking during this time. 21. In case of severe weather, the bell will have long rings. We will quietly and calmly exit the classroom and line up against the wall/lockers by the classroom door. We will be on the floor facing the wall/lockers with our heads covered. There should be no talking during this time. 22. We will work from bell to bell in this class and you may not stop to rest or put your head down at anytime. No writing or passing notes in class. 23. If you are allowed to leave the room, please do so quietly and without disturbing other students. Remember we are in a learning environment. 24. When the bell rings to end class, wait for me to dismiss you. Then you may gather your belongings, clean your work area and quietly leave the room. To dismiss you, I will say something like: “Have a good day.”, “See you tomorrow.”. etc. 25. When announcements are made, you will listen carefully. There will be no talking during announcement/morning messages. 5
- 7. Situation What is your procedure/expectatations? Students entering/leaving class • entering before/after tardy bell • leaving before end of class The day's date - location Room set-up - How will you work the room? Bell activities - What/Where/Graded/Timed Checking attendance Students who are tardy Student receiving permission to speak/ comment/ask questions/leave desk/etc Students needing materials - pencil or pen/paper/textbook/etc Students coming to attention - signal/expectations Student needing to go to restroom - signal/expectations Student needing to throw paper away Student needing to sharpen pencil Student needing tissue Student work: • heading of papers • passing in papers • use of pen or pencil • writing on back of paper • neatness • incomplete work/late work • due dates • makeup work for absent students • notebook expectations/grading 7 • homework - when/how much/grading/turning in
- 8. Situation What is your procedure/expectations? End of class dismissal Teacher pacing of instructional time Class Movement - going to PE/Library/Computer Lab/ Lunch/Assembly/Carousel - class changes/hallway expectations - transitions in class Student expectations for intercom announcements/calling of students to office Student expectations - emergency • fire/evacuation • bad weather • lockdown/etc Student expectations for • visitor in room • principal in room • head counter from State Department Student needing to go to • office (referral/phone/etc.) • sick/nurse • counselor (behavior in hall) Collection and Distribution of student work Ask-Pause-Call Volunteers to answer Choral Response Signal Response White Board Response Going to board - expectations Substitute expectations - teacher/students Random questioning of class Think-Pair-Share
- 9. Group work expectations 7 Situation What is your procedure/expectations? Food/drink/candy/gum in classroom How will student assignments be posted? Breaking of rules • signal • consequences/discipline ladder • writing referrals • how will you keep up with Students exchanging/grading papers Students keeping progress report Positive Incentives for students • Student of the Week (criteria/announcing/etc) • Other incentives/rewards Communication with parents • back to school letter • materials students will need for your class • positive contacts • parent contact log • planner/agenda Grade book maintenance • determining report card grades • recording grades • extra credit Posting of student work Students working on other assignments Students writing/ passing notes 9
- 10. Rules and Procedures Test for your class Notes ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ 10