Years ago when I did student teaching, my cooperating teacher had me observe classroom rules, routines, and procedures from a variety of teachers. This was one of the single most important things she had me do.

It was an effective task where I was able to observe and note not just how I wanted my future classroom to run, but definitely how I did NOT want it to run.

When I decided to develop my classroom management system it wasn’t even as close to how elaborate it is today. I just knew that I wanted my routines and procedures to be implemented with daily practice and ease.

back to school toolkit

First these are the basic questions to ask yourself when building your classroom routines and procedures:

  1. How will you gain student’s attention?
  2. How will students signal that they want help/attention?
  3. How will students obtain needed work materials and books?
  4. How will students transition to cooperative group work?
  5. What are the procedures for students needing to use the restroom or getting a drink of water?
  6. What will students be expected to do when they finish assignments early?
  7. What are your procedures for tardies or early dismissals?
  8. What are your procedures for turning in homework and passing homework and assignments back to students?
  9. What are your procedures for turning in late homework?
  10. How will you make sure your student understand the expected behavior?
  11. What will the consequences be if your students don’t follow the classroom expectations?

However, when you start working on your classroom rules (now called ‘agreements’) you want to decide if you will involve your students writing them together as a class.

Now, I tried this early on in my teaching career, but it didn’t stick. I no longer write classroom rules as a class and post them up anywhere in my classroom. You can read more about that here: Simple Strategies for Managing Classroom Behavior

Every teacher’s routines, procedures, and expectations are going to be different based on the student age group, school-wide rules – I mean agreements, and really just personal preference. The classroom routines and procedures for elementary school are going to look a lot different at the high school level.

While, I substitute taught every grade level and content area, my procedures and routines for middle school have led to a lot of positive classroom success. You honestly might have to try out a few things every year or even switch it up in the middle of the year if you find a certain routine just isn’t working – it’s okay. I’ve done it.

back to school checklist

But always try to implement either at the beginning of the school year. If you do decided to change things up, let your student know that there will changes coming either at the beginning of a new quarter, semester, or after a break. It’s easier to implement this way, than to just spring it on them without notice.

Once you have all your routines and procedures together, put it in a presentation. I make mine in PowerPoint but you can use whatever presentation methods you feel most comfortable with.

The first day of school is when I always start my routines and procedures presentation and but as I go through as a class we practice and implement for a week. Then I give a partner/group quiz on paper or Kahoot and go over all expectations again but this time a lot faster while having students respond with answers.

Classroom Routines and Procedures Examples

This is a list of routines and procedures I put into my presentations:

  • Entering/Exiting the classroom
  • Turning in assignments & late work
  • Attendance/Absent/Tardy procedures
  • Lunch and/or Recess
  • Bell-work/Do Now/Entry Task
  • Finishing work early
  • Use of classroom library
  • Independent work time – asking for help
  • Use of technology – laptop, tablet, cell phone
  • Transitions and moving in the classroom
  • Pencil Sharpening
  • Organization (being prepared)
  • Group/Project work
  • Getting supplies
  • Handing out papers
  • School-wide expectations and rules
  • Eating, drinking, chewing gum
  • Emergency drills
  • Heading papers and assignments
  • Dismissal
  • Bathroom policy
  • Homework
  • Assigning classroom jobs
  • Behavior management – warning, action, contacting parents/referrals/infractions

Do you have a routine or procedure that you can add to the list? Please comment below!

For related readings, check out how I set up and organize my classroom!

Download a copy of my procedures template >>CLICK HERE!