Looking at the Learning Environment
We are about six weeks into the year. How is it going so far?
If you’ve had folks popping into your classroom for walk-throughs or just to see how things are going, one of the first things they look at is the Learning Environment. There are two basic things in that domain are routines and classroom management.
When it comes to routines, folks are looking to see if students can carry out the transitions and procedures effectively and efficiently. Do the students know what needs to be done, or does the teacher have to explain each step? Is instruction going smoothly with little to no time lost or is precious time being taken up with the teacher telling what to do next, where things should be found and stored, etc.?
Here are a few tips to make your learning environment run smoothly.
Use a strong voice when giving instructions. This means speaking clearly and confidently. Standing tall and using the appropriate volume to get students’ attention. When giving directions make the steps bite-sized. Keep them short and to the point. Scan the class to see if students are paying attention and following through.
Give students cues. Many teachers find an attention-getter a great tool. These can be both verbal and physical. For example, some teachers raise their hands as a signal to get quiet, but if students are not looking at the teacher, they may miss that. An even better way to do that is to give a verbal signal with the physical signal. I heard one teacher say, “A hush fell over the room…” When students hear this, they softly whisper, “Shhh” and look at the teacher. Once you have the student’s attention, you can give those bite-sized directions. You can also tell them how much time they have. Don’t forget to use a timer!
Teach/model what you want to see and hear. Show the students just what you want to see and hear. Have the students practice the routine until it is done smoothly. You’ll want to practice these routines after a holiday, too! Use positive reinforcement when they do it correctly. This celebrates the success.
Redirect any off task behavior. Proximity is your friend! Circulate and stand near those off-task folks! Use non-verbal signals and even a good “look” goes a long way to let the students know they are not complying.
You set yourself up for success when you establish routines and procedures early. If they are not as you wish, go back and revisit!
Have a great year!
