It is so
important to set expectations for your students at the very beginning of the
year. If you want to learn how to start
your year on the right foot with setting good expectations…then you are in the
right place! I have listed some ideas
and activities below for you to think about for the new school year!
Why should I set expectations at the beginning of
the year?
I can tell you
from experience that it will make your year more fun and less stressful. Students actually like having a routine and
knowing how things should be done. For
example, if you want your students to have a smooth transition in the morning
you need to have expectations and procedures in place. It could be as simple as come in quietly, put
your backpack in your locker, sit at your seat, and begin your morning
work. Make sure you have your students
to practice the expectations that you establish them. After practicing and modeling for them, they
will be able to repeat daily. At the
beginning, they will mess up. Let’s face it.
It’s just a fact…but keep in mind that they are learning…it will take a
while but it is so worth it!
Which expectations should I teach?
Some of the
obvious procedures include how to enter/leave the classroom, transitions, voice
levels, lining up, turning in assignments, etc.
You should reflect on your previous year of teaching and thinking about
what was hard for you. For example, one
year my students had trouble with knowing what to do when they needed
supplies. I made an area for supplies
and taught expectations. It was no
longer a troublesome area for us. As the
year goes on, I would reflect each week about what your students are struggling
with to do at your expectations. Then
you should think about and set those expectations for students. You can even involve students in this
process. You could ask “What can we do
to be quieter during transitions?”. They
can help you brainstorm ideas that will work for your class. My last piece of advice is to just remember
that you set the expectations that your class needs. Your expectations may look completely different
from your team.
How can I review expectations throughout the year?
Make sure to
have students practice throughout the year.
You can continue to model and have other students model the
expectations. Make sure to review
expectations when you come back from any school break or holiday. When your students forget the expectations
that you set, have them to do it again.
One of my favorite expectations was coming to the carpet quietly. My students would forget randomly and I would
have them go back to their desks and try again.
This really helps them to remember and prevent misbehaviors that could
happen.
The following
are starter lists of expectations that you should think about establishing for
the following locations in your school building and classroom.
Setting Classroom Expectations
Entering the
Classroom
Leaving the
Classroom
Transitions
Carpet Behavior
Desk Behavior
Morning Routine
Lining Up
Turning In
Work
Setting Cafeteria Expectations
Noise Level
Going through
the Line
Table Behavior
Lining Up in
the Cafeteria
Setting Recess Expectations
Lining Up to Go
Outside
Lining Up on
the Playground
Playground Do’s
and Don’t’s
Setting Restroom Expectations
Number of
People to Enter
Amount of
Paper Towels
Time for Running
Water
How Much Soap
to Get
Hallway
Behavior
Setting Library Expectations
Noise Level
Number of
Books to Get
Hallway
Behavior
Getting
Library Card
Want to learn
more about how to teach some of these expectations….check out my Setting
Expectations pack that includes 5 read alouds you can use to introduce these to
your kiddos! They are also editable and
can be personalized to best meet the needs of your students.
If you have
not already, sign up for the Flying into Learning Newsletter by clicking HERE! You will immediately receive a freebie. The freebie is a sort that you can do as a
class to go over good versus bad behaviors in the classroom and school
building. Take a look below!!!
Thanks for
Flying By! Let me know how I can help
with engaging resources to help your students SOAR! Pin the image below for later!!!
