By Beth and Shannon at Southern Schoolhouse
By day 3, we begin switching classes. This requires a lot of practice and modeling. Where do backpacks go? What materials do you need? Where do you line up? How do you switch with the least amount of issues?
Every student has a homeroom and that is the place where they are assigned a cubby. That is where the belongings they don’t need for class are housed, for example their lunch box. Two years ago we began using binders with folders for each subject, a homework/notes home folder, and a zippered pencil pouch for supplies is also kept there. These binders go with students to all their classes, and classrooms also have community supplies. There will be no back and forth (this will need to be emphasized heavily at first) Backpacks go on the back of the chair. If you have two or a three block rotations, a desk has to be shared so no belongings are kept in the desk. That is why this routine is critical to start and stay consistent with from day one.
When it is time to rotate, a close partner can be signed to check each other’s desk to make sure no belongings are left. Beth wrote an article called the “Pencil Problem” that also helps with organization of materials. Routines have to be established when lining up in the classroom and in the hallway as the students line up to go to the next classroom. I would make the line up expectations in each class and the hallway the same just to make it easier for the students. Don’t get discouraged if this process doesn’t happen the way you want it to after the first week. Sometimes it takes a full nine weeks for it to look like you want it to especially if this is their first time switching classes.
Every teacher is different and the degree of expectations is going to be different. My advice is to make the daily routines as similar as possible across classrooms. That way when students move from one room into another the expectation is similar. Routines inside the classroom can vary based on teacher style (where to put finished work, process of when to sharpen your pencil, etc) and the needs of the class based on the subject being taught, but if the big routines are similar things will move smoothly throughout the day.
Overall the big take away is to be proactive. It is crucial to have your routines and expectations in place from day one and consistency is key. If things begin to go off course (this WILL happen from time to time), slow down, take a step back, remind the class of routines and expectations and practice, practice, practice. We hope these tips for the first 3 days will help you begin this new year with a plan for success!
