Keeping routines strong through the very last day


It is easy for classroom routines to start to slip as the last days of school come near. It might seem like it is too late to change bad habits. It might feel like there is no point in revamping routines now. There are only ____ days of school left.

There is an amazing opportunity, though, at the end of the year. You can reteach routines in a totally positive way. Want to hear the trick? You are going to let students know that they are going to help YOU create a routine for next year’s class. You are going to use their expertise as (insert your grade here) students to create a modified routine for next year.

At this point - you can take whatever routine you want to modify or firm up, and reteach it. Here is a script for what I might say to the students. I’m going to give an example of a specific routine, but really it could be any routine.

The bold is what I would say. I normally actually read these out loud one to three times and then sometimes practice once more on my drive to work in the car. It might be silly, but it helps me feel confident and calm. It also let’s me focus on how students are reacting and behaving, because I really know what I’m saying.

You know class, I have been thinking that I really want to try something new next year. I want to change how I get everyone’s attention. This year we mainly did (count back from 5, clapping or whatever.) Next year, I want to try saying, “May I please have your attention.” (or a new clapping pattern, or using the lights or whatever. You want to change the routine just enough that you can do a full reset. Or you could be trying a totally new routine all together.)   
I would like you to imagine that you are new students. I would like you to behave normally, but just imagine that you are new to the grade. Since you are seeing this for the first time, I’m going to really act out all of the details. I want you to pay attention to what things you like about the modeling and what you would change. By asking student to watch with new eyes, you are giving them a reason to pay focused attention to the routine. That is your real goal - but be open to learning something new from your students! They will often surprise you.

So, I am going to pretend I am a student and _______ is the teacher. When I raise my eyebrows like this, I would like you to say, “May I please have your attention.” Let’s try that. I’ll raise my eyebrows, and you say the phrase. Raise your eyebrows. Correct or try again if necessary.
Ok, I want you to say “May I please have your attention” every time I raise my eyebrows until I ask you to stop.

Sit in a student chair so students can see you. Pretend to be reading a book Look at student and raise eyebrow. Then look at teacher.

Notice how I put down my book, moved around so I faced my teacher and had my eyes on his/her face. This is the correct way to do it. Let me show you the incorrect way.

Sit in a student chair so students can see you. Pretend to be reading a book Look at student and raise eyebrow. Continue to look at the book. Over act it a bit. Have some fun.

Really, you should model the types of problems you are seeing this year. If they are talking with a friend and keep on chatting - model that. If they continue to walk around the room - model that. If they stand at the library and continue to look through the books - model that. You can model a few things. Just keep it light and fun.

Notice how I didn’t look at the teacher right away and kept on reading my book. That is not how we give attention.

Could I have a few other students teach the rest of the class how to do it?  You’ll get to be the student now, to model everyone else how to do it correctly. _____ could you be standing sharpening your pencil when I ask for attention?

Have student walk over to sharpen pencil. If needed, whisper in their ear to make sure they know exactly what you want them to do.

“May I have your attention please.” Yes - that is the way to do it.

Everyone, I want you to talk with someone next to you. You could talk about what superpower you would like to have, or anything else is fine too.

Give students a good 2-3 minutes to talk.

“May I have your attention please.” That was pretty close to what I want. Let me model what I saw that wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. Remember - I want you to give me feedback on how I can make this clearer so my students understand exactly what I want next year. So, let me know how I can make my instruction better.

What I didn’t want was for students to do this. Act out - but not in a way that would embarrass anyone. Model what they did that was incorrect.  Here is what I wanted to see. Let’s try that again.  You could talk about something you like to do when it is hot outside, or anything you want.

Give students a good 2-3 minutes to talk.

“May I have your attention please.” That was correct. Thank you.

Ok - let’s talk about what went well and what you would have me change if I was teaching it again next year. Turn and talk with a partner for 2 to 3 minutes about what was good and what you would change.

“May I have your attention please.”

This is a test!!! Remember, if they do not do it 100% correct, repeat this otherwise skip till you see the  lines:

-------------------------------- Reteach
“May I have your attention please.” That was pretty close to what I want. Let me model what I saw that wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. Remember - I want you to give me feedback on how I can make this clearer so my students understand exactly what I want next year. So, let me know how I can make my instruction better.

What I didn’t want was for students to do this. Act out - but not in a way that would embarrass anyone. Model what they did that was incorrect.

Let’s talk again with another person. Talk about ____ or anything else you want.

---------------------------------- End of reteach

Please raise your hand to let me know about a few things that went well. Call on some students. Please raise your hand to give me some suggestions on how I could change that routine. Students might give totally wacky suggestions that are silly here. I would respond by saying - something like - while that is really silly, or sounds fun, it doesn’t help me ---- (your concern) be able to do all of our fun activities or some other reason. Does anyone have an idea on how I could improve this, and also get everyone’s attention quickly so we can move onto other fun lessons?

I would like us to try the routine out for a while so we can perfect it. I might even try reteaching it so I can get some extra practice with a group that already knows me.  You are going to practice reteaching if there continue to be problems!

If you have any ideas later about how the routine could be improved, feel free to write me a note. I really appreciate your feedback.

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