Sometimes learning, reviewing, and practicing classroom procedures can seem overly redundant and unnecessary, but as most elementary teachers will tell you, you can’t go over them enough.
Classroom procedures are the skeleton of the classroom experience and environment. When students know how to find supplies, when they are allowed to use the restroom, how and when they can ask questions, and what to do each morning when they walk into the room, the chaos that could be the elementary classroom suddenly feels much more manageable.
In this blog post, we go over the ultimate list of classroom procedures to consider for your classroom, so if you haven’t nailed down your procedures to teach for this upcoming school year, you may want to head over to that post as you brainstorm.
You can also grab the FREE Classroom Procedures Checklist and Game below! This checklist includes many of the items on the ultimate checklist, and it also includes a card game you can use in lots of different ways!
Practicing Classroom Procedures in Stations
One of the ways you can go about practicing classroom procedures is through different stations. Below we have outlined a variety of station ideas you could try during the first couple of days of school to help your student review different classroom procedures.
#1 | Supplies Station
In this station, students will practice getting and putting away supplies. Set up a table with pencils, erasers, and other necessary supplies. Have a checklist for students to follow, such as getting only one pencil at a time or putting the supplies back in their designated spot when finished. You may even have them complete a specific task (like coloring, cutting out, and pasting a picture) before cleaning up and putting supplies away.
#2 | Restroom Station
In this station, students will practice going to the restroom and washing their hands. Set up a sink area with soap and towels. Have a checklist for students to follow, such as only going to the restroom one at a time or washing their hands for at least 20 seconds.
#3 | Technology Station
In this station, students will practice using technology and following technology procedures. Set up a computer or tablet with a specific task, such as logging into an educational website. Have a checklist for students to follow, such as logging out when finished, putting it back in its numbered spot, plugging the computer back in, or asking for help if they need it.
#4 |Classroom Library Station
In this station, students will be practicing classroom procedures related to the classroom library, including borrowing and returning books from the classroom library. Set up a bookshelf with a selection of books. Have a checklist for students to follow, such as only borrowing one book at a time or putting the book back in the correct spot when finished.
#5 | Clean-Up Station
In this station, students will practice cleaning up the classroom. Set up a designated area for trash and recycling. Have a checklist for students to follow, such as throwing away trash or recycling materials in the correct bin or pushing in chairs when finished.
#6 | Line-Up Station
In this station, students will practice lining up and walking in the hallway. Set up a designated area for lining up and have a checklist for students to follow, such as standing quietly in line or keeping their hands to themselves while walking in the hallway.
#7 | Snack Station
In this station, students will practice eating snacks and following snack procedures. Set up a table with snacks and have a checklist for students to follow, such as only taking one snack at a time or cleaning up any crumbs or spills.
#8 | Morning Routine Station
In this station, students will practice coming into the room with their stuff from home. They will have a checklist of things they need to complete, including hanging up their bags, removing their take-home folders, putting them in the bin, and moving their names on the lunch chart. They may also have a bell ringer task to pick up and complete, like the Holiday of the Day Writing Prompts.
Try to have a station for all of your most common daily tasks. For the tasks students will complete independently, consider making a game of the task. For example, if you have a Morning Routine station, students may have to hang up their bags, remove their folders, put their names on the lunch chart, and pick up their Holiday of the Day Writing Prompt. After practicing this station, turn it into a competition and time them as they race around the room, getting everything done. Maybe you set up scenarios where things go wrong; for example, the writing prompts aren’t set out yet. This would be a good moment to test the kids to explain what they should do in the situation.
Teaching, reviewing, and practicing classroom procedures in elementary school is a big responsibility and (let’s be honest) not the most fun part of the school year, but when you do it well, it makes your whole year so much easier!
