10 Classroom Routines Teachers Can Establish To Make Teaching Easier And Learning Better
One of the secrets of effective classroom management is having established routines.
You should not have to struggle every morning to get learners settled, organise activities or maintain order in your classroom.
When learners understand what is expected of them and know what to do at different times, teaching becomes easier, classroom disorder reduces, and learning becomes more organised.
Here are 10 important classroom routines every teacher should establish.
- MORNING ARRIVAL ROUTINE
Establish what learners should do immediately they enter the classroom.
Teach them to:
- Greet their teacher.
- Arrange their bags properly.
- Bring out their books and writing materials.
- Settle down quietly.
- Begin an assigned morning activity.
Example: Write three revision questions on the board for learners to answer immediately after settling down.
- LESSON STARTING ROUTINE
Do not allow every lesson to begin with unnecessary noise and confusion.
Develop a consistent way of introducing your lessons.
Example: Begin with a short revision of the previous lesson, ask two introductory questions, and introduce the new topic.
This helps learners understand that learning begins as soon as the lesson starts.
- ATTENTION-SEEKING ROUTINE
Establish a signal that tells learners when to stop what they are doing and pay attention.
Avoid shouting repeatedly before you can get their attention.
Example: You can raise your hand, clap a particular rhythm or say, “Eyes on me,” while learners respond with an agreed phrase.
Practise the signal until learners become familiar with it.
- QUESTION-AND-ANSWER ROUTINE
Teach learners how to respond when questions are asked.
They should know when to raise their hands, when to speak and how to listen when others are answering.
Example: Establish a rule that learners must raise their hands before answering, avoid shouting out answers and respect different opinions.
This encourages orderly participation.
- MOVEMENT AND TRANSITION ROUTINE
Learners should know how to move from one activity to another without creating unnecessary noise.
Example: When moving from individual work to group work, give clear instructions about how to arrange their seats, collect materials and begin the activity.
You can also give them a specific time to complete the transition.
- DISTRIBUTION AND COLLECTION OF MATERIALS
Do not waste valuable teaching time distributing books, worksheets and other learning materials without a system.
Assign responsibilities to learners.
Example: Appoint two responsible learners to distribute exercise books and another two to collect them after the activity.
This makes classroom activities more organised.
- CLASSWORK AND INDEPENDENT WORK ROUTINE
Learners should understand what to do when you give them individual tasks.
Establish expectations concerning noise, time management, asking for assistance and submission of work.
Example: When you give a written exercise, learners should write the date and topic, read the instructions, attempt the questions independently and submit their work when instructed.
- GROUP WORK ROUTINE
Group activities can become noisy and disorganised when there are no established procedures.
Teach learners how to work together.
Example: Assign group roles such as group leader, writer, timekeeper and presenter.
This helps everyone understand their responsibilities and reduces unnecessary arguments.
- CLASSROOM CLEANLINESS ROUTINE
Do not wait until the classroom becomes dirty before reminding learners about cleanliness.
Make it a daily responsibility.
Example: Before break time or dismissal, establish a routine for picking up litter, arranging desks, cleaning the board and checking the classroom environment.
A clean classroom creates a more organised learning environment.
- LESSON CLOSING AND DISMISSAL ROUTINE
Do not end your lessons or dismiss learners in a disorderly manner.
Establish a proper closing routine.
Example: Before dismissal, ask learners to mention one thing they learnt, give necessary assignments, allow them to arrange their books and ensure the classroom is properly organised.
This helps you end the school day on a structured note.
TEACHERS, WHICH OF THESE 10 CLASSROOM ROUTINES DO YOU FIND MOST CHALLENGING TO ESTABLISH?
