10 Classroom Morning Routine Ideas

Below are 10 classroom morning routine ideas for elementary teachers.

1. Greet Students at the Door

Whenever possible greet each student individually. Use eye contact, smile and let the children know you are happy they are there. For many children, the transition to school is challenging (even many months into the year). The greeting not only welcomes them back to school but also makes a connection and shows that you care. It is also an opportunity for you to assess each child’s mood and be proactive in addressing a situation that could otherwise impact their learning for that day.

Ideally, I recommend standing in the doorway and greeting each child as they enter. Position yourself so you can see both the students in the hallway and the students who have entered the classroom already.

As the students are settling in and doing their morning work, you can walk around and briefly chat with each child. With some kids, you will need to ask specific questions because “how are you” typically elicits “fine” or “good” even if it isn’t true. Instead ask, “What did you have for breakfast?” or “Is there anything you want to tell me about what happened since I last saw you?”

You could also start the day by saying, “Show me with your thumb how you are feeling this morning.” A thumbs up indicates they are feeling great, a thumb down represents that things aren’t good and a thumb to the side means something may be wrong. Alternatively, you can make this part of the morning routine where children automatically greet you as they come in with a “thumb signal.” This will let you know who you should check in with. The discrete, non-verbal nature of the act often enables kids to open up even if they weren’t prone to approaching you to share the news.

2. Play a Morning Soundtrack

The second classroom morning routine idea on this list is to play a morning soundtrack. There is always a buzz at the start of the day. Students have to put things away. They want to share stories with you. They have tasks to complete to be ready to learn. It can be chaotic. To “calm the chaos” I implemented the use of a “morning soundtrack” and it worked great!

As the children enter the classroom, I start a song. They have until the song ends to complete the process of unpacking and getting settled. They became familiar with the songs and anticipate how much time they have. This system not only allows students to pace themselves, but it also gets our day started in a very timely manner.

I play a different song each day of the week. I consider the following criteria when selecting the songs that are played:

• Use songs that are appropriate for the classroom.
• Pick songs that appeal to the developmental age you teach.
• Create a playlist that is upbeat and catchy to set a positive tone and fill the room with energy for the day.
• The song(s) should provide just enough time to get everything on the morning to do list checked off and get settled and be ready to start the day.

3. Have a Place for Everything

Some teachers have the kids go directly to their locker, cubby, or the coat closet. I, however, do not recommend this because space is often tight. It can be too crowded and the noise level may get really loud. I find it is better to have the students proceed straight to their seats where they have a bit more room to spread out and get settled. In my classroom, the students walk to their table and take their lunch boxes, snacks, homework, folders, and library books out of their backpacks. They then take off their outerwear and put hats and gloves into the sleeve of their coat to keep everything together. The children are then responsible for putting everything in the designated spots and starting their morning work.

You should have designated spaces that are consistent for each of the following:

• homework
• parent communication folders or binders
• snacks
• lunch boxes / lunch money
• library books
• outerwear
• backpacks
• musical instruments (if applicable)

Each of those should be clearly labeled and consistent and you may want to assign select students some specific jobs to ensure the morning runs smooth and that everything is organized.

It’s important that the children have a few moments to chat with their friends which means you will need to find the perfect balance of time to accomplish the necessary tasks and still be settled in for morning work.

For me, the morning song mentioned above really helps to define the allotted timeframe and when used in conjunction with clear and consistent expectations of the unpacking routine, the classroom runs itself and each day begins on a positive note.

4. Take Attendance

It is important to keep accurate attendance records not only for documentation on report cards, but also to ensure a child has arrived safely at school.

Taking attendance is something you will need to do as soon as possible each morning. I have experimented with many different methods for taking attendance and have found that in addition to being a mandatory task, it can also be a great activity to help you get to know your students better or to embed some math practice.

5. Collect Homework and Notes

To simplify the steps of the morning routine, you can set up a “check-in” station. Below is some advice for how to do this.

• Set yourself up at your small group teaching table.
• Have a clipboard for lunch count and attendance.
• Put out a container for communications from home (dismissal changes, parent notes), a container for forms and money (field trip permission slips, book orders.), and a container for homework.
• Have each student approach you as part of the morning routine. Greet the student personally, check their folder, place items into the sorted container and take their lunch order.

This process moves quite quickly yet enables the teacher to take care of all business while still connecting with the children. It also increases accountability for turning in homework which in turn increases the likelihood that a child will complete the homework. This method will also let you make sure students who have brought a lunch from home remember to place it into the laundry basket.

If you decide to try this method, a great option is to use plastic drawers that slide all the way out of the box. You can place each on the table for the students to put their things into and then slide them into the box to save space and stay organized.

6. Update Dismissal Info

The sixth classroom morning routine idea on the list is to update your dismissal information. Be sure to notify the office and update your classroom dismissal chart when a student brings in a note with a change in dismissal. If additional changes come in via email or a phone call during the school day, you will need to update them again.

Always confirm that the child knows about the change as soon as you learn of it. Just because a student hands you a note stating he is not taking the bus home doesn’t mean his mom remembered to tell him. Check with the child as soon as you read the note and review the dismissal changes just prior to the students leaving the classroom.

7. Take Student Lunch Counts

Oftentimes, the classroom teacher is responsible for collecting and communicating the lunch count to the cafeteria. The goal should be to decrease the amount of class time used to collect lunch orders and to create a system that limits disruption. Read this post all about classroom lunch count ideas for elementary teachers.

8. Start Each Day the Same Way

Oh my goodness… Aside from dismissal, this has been the time of day that I have tweaked more than any other. I found that each of the following had an important place and time in our classroom, but first thing in the morning just wasn’t it:

• journals and writing prompts
• math morning work
• unfinished work from a previous lesson
• free choice
• math vocabulary work

Instead, consider having students complete a spiral review math activity, followed by independent reading.

9. Hold a Morning Meeting

The ninth classroom morning routine idea on this list is to hold a morning meeting. Having your entire class routinely come together to begin each school day is essential to creating a strong classroom community and a positive learning environment.

Now, with that being said, I truly believe there is no right or wrong way to hold a class meeting. Instead, it is a matter of finding what works best for you and the cohort of students in front of you each year. That means that now only will your meeting be unique to you, but it may also look different each and every year.

10. Review the Schedule

There are so many benefits to displaying a visual schedule in the classroom. I have found that it not only keeps me focused and on track but also greatly decreases behavior issues by reducing the anxieties some students feel when they don’t know what to expect.

I feel it is important to not only have your schedule in view of the students, but I also think it should be interactive. Consider the following advice:

• Discuss the plan for the day at the close of morning meeting.
• Note any specialists or changes to the routine that may occur.
• Reference the schedule throughout the day by reminding students what will come next.
• Mark the schedule like a visual checklist to show what has been accomplished and what is left to do.
• Review the schedule and reflect on the schedule at the close of the school day just prior to dismissal.

Once you and your students have completed each of the steps listed above, you can start your day, roll up your sleeves, and jump into the instruction, activities and everything else that makes the day productive and meaningful.

In closing, we hope you found these classroom morning routine ideas helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these posts:

• 20 Back to School Read Alouds for Elementary Teachers
• How to Set Up Your Whole Group Meeting Area
• 8 Things Elementary Teachers Need to Do on the First Day of School

The post Classroom Morning Routine Ideas for Elementary Teachers in 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

Putting together a classroom management plan, thinking through the details and creating classroom resources to make sure the room runs smoothly is a big undertaking. I’ve spent months putting together resources that will save you a lot of time while improving your classroom management skills.

What is the Classroom Management Bundle?

The classroom management bundle is a collection of resources for elementary teachers to help them effectively manage their classroom. It includes a classroom management guide, editable teacher workbook, and 30 individual classroom management resources.

What does this Classroom Management Bundle Include?

This classroom management bundle includes the 80-page Clutter-Free Classroom Guide Management Made Easy, 57-page Editable Classroom Management Teacher Workbook, and 30 individual classroom management products. It is filled with tons of tips, ideas, and printables that will help you perfect your classroom management skills.

Classroom Management Guide

This guide not only lists out everything a teacher will need to manage, but also describes in detail tried and true methods for managing each that have been used successfully in real classrooms for years

Teacher Workbook

This workbook complement the guide. It will walk you through the process of thinking about classroom management via prompts and reference to the eBook. It includes designated space for organizing your to do list and supplies needed to put the plan into action. There are even notes in the workbook directing you to the pages in the eBook specific to that topic as well as a note identifying when there is an included product to help you.

30 Individual Classroom Management Resources

These 30 classroom management tools are some of my best-selling resources. These tools have been used in many classrooms with great success. Most of these resources include multiple versions so you can elect to use one with clip art or not and the majority have editable components to enable you to customize them for your own classroom.

Why Teachers Love this Management Bundle

Some of the reasons teachers love this classroom management bundle include:

• This bundle reduces student anxiety and maximize student learning time because of the consistent routines and procedures suggested in it.
• Implementation of the resources results in an easy transition for students when a substitute teacher is there because the classroom runs itself.
• It includes the tools and information you need to be a more less stressed, productive and efficient teacher.
• It streamlines all of your classroom management procedures.
• There are editable resources, so you can customize them to fit your needs.
• It provides a comprehensive collection of resources so you won’t need to purchase other classroom management resources.

How to Implement this Classroom Management Bundle

Fill out the workbook and use it to reflect on your current and future practices. Read the classroom management guide and apply tips and ideas to your classroom. Print and post 30 printables in your classroom. Teach classroom management procedures and routines.

In closing, we hope you found this information about these classroom management tools helpful! If you did, then you may be interested in these other posts:

• Classroom Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers
• Classroom Procedures and Routines for Teachers
• Helpful Ways Teachers Can Use Timers

The post Classroom Management Tools for Elementary Teachers in 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

5 Types of Timers for Teachers

Here are 5 types of timers for teachers:

1. Online Visual Timers for Teachers

These days I use an online timer and really feel it helps my friends better manage their time. Check out this Online Egg Timer. The counting down clock is a great tool for keeping them on task. I feared the visual would be distracting, but it hasn’t been a problem. We use it for everything from snack time to guided reading. I keep it running on my desktop computer since I’m never at the desk. Setting the clock at the start of a lesson is one of the jobs I assign to a student. I like it in fullscreen mode.

2. Visual Timers for Teachers

This type of timer provides a great visual for even the youngest learners. It is especially helpful for the students who sometimes need some assistance staying focused to complete a task. It really helps teach them how to manage their time.

I didn’t initially purchase it for the classroom. I bought it for my son during the summer that he boycotted naps, yet I needed my sanity. We implemented a 30 minute “quiet rest time” and I bought this to help put an end to the constant questioning of, “Is it time to get up yet?”

I don’t use timers during parent/teacher conferences, but I know a lot of teachers do. I think this would be a great tool for that purpose. It won’t make a rude buzzing or beeping sound to signal time is up, but it will be obvious.

3. Hand-Held Timers for Teachers

A hand-held timer is great for when students need to use the timer. Examples of this are when they are heading to the library during your reading block in a small group and have to be back within a certain period of time or when they are working on fact fluency in a small group.

4. Magnetic Timers for Teachers

A magnetic timer makes it easy to keep track of your timer. You can display it on your white board or students can stick it on a designated are like the side of your metal teacher desk or anything else magnetic.

5. Phone Timers for Teachers

Your phone has one of the best timers for teachers and you may not even realize it! You likely have several students who have pullout services in your classroom. It can be hard to manage it all! I found that my phone timer was an effective strategy for notifying me when it was time to send a student down to OT, PT, speech, etc.

5 Ways to Use Timers for Teachers

Here are 5 ways to use timers for teachers:

1. Managing special education and RTI pull-out services

If you have a lot of students in your classroom who receive support throughout the school day outside of the general education classroom, it can be difficult to track who needs to go where and when.  The best strategy for managing this is the use of timers on your phone.  Most phones now come with a timer on it.  At the beginning of the school year, consider programming your students’ pull-out schedules in your phone so that the timer notifies you when it is time to send a child to a service or support session.  Your students will never miss a service again!

2. Managing Guided Math and Guided Reading Rotations and Centers

Your schedule is tight – I totally get it!  As a result, it’s important to monitor the length of time you are spending on each part of your school day.  Consider using an online timer, magnetic timer, or your phone’s timer to help you keep within the time constraints of the school day.  The online timer can be projected on the board or wall so that students can see how much time they have left to work on their task.  Similarly, the magnetic timer can be placed on the board so it’s visible to students.  Your phone timer is a third option.

3. Managing Student Library Trips

If your students go to the library on their own, consider having them take a hand-held timer with them to make sure they don’t stay too long.  This is particularly helpful for when the library is one of the centers in a workshop framework, where there are time limits allotted to each center.

4. Managing Fact Fluency Practice

Some school districts require timed practice tests with regards to addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts.  If this applies to you and you have a math center designated to timed fact practice, consider having students use a hand-held timer at that center.

5. Managing Reading Fluency Practice

Hand-held timers can also be helpful for monitoring and assessing reading fluency.  Reading fluency, an important part of becoming a proficient reader, involves the ability to read with 1) speed, 2) accuracy, and 3) proper expression.  Timers are a very helpful tool for this.

In closing, I hope you found this information about timers for teachers helpful! There are tons of options out there, so shop around and see which one is best for you and your classroom. If you found this post helpful, then check out these other blog posts:

• How to Improve Classroom Management using Hand Signals
• Tips for How Teachers can Save Money on Groceries
• How to Improve Classroom Management using Checklists

The post Timers for Teachers: 5 Ways to Use Them in Your Classroom in 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

What is a Fast Finisher Activity?

A fast finisher activity is an activity that is prepared ahead of time for when students complete a task before the rest of the class.  They can take on many different formats (e.g. worksheets, task cards, games, and books), be aligned to any content area (e.g. literacy, math, social studies, and STEM), be closed- or open-ended tasks, and be short term or long term projects (link to blog or product).  Fast finisher projects, as you can see, can take many forms but they all share the same idea. They are either prepped ahead of time or are no-prep. Students can work on these independent learning experiences quietly when they finish a task early.

Why Should I Use Fast Finisher Activities?

Fast finisher activities are an essential classroom management strategy for all elementary classrooms.  Your classroom will run a lot smoother if you have fast finisher activities prepared and a routine in place so students know what to do when they are done with a task early.

15 Fast Finisher Ideas

Below are 15 ideas for fast finishers.

Fast Finisher Ideas for Anytime

• Independent reading
• Crosswords
• Puzzles
• Brain teasers
• Logic puzzles
• Coaching classmates
• Helping the teacher
• Spiral review packet of previously learned concepts and skills
• Project Based Learning Tasks and other long term projects
• Writing packets

Content-Specific Fast Finisher Ideas

• Reading books about the concept you are teaching
• Extension activities based on what they are learning
• Extra reinforcement worksheets or task cards based on the topic you are covering
• A review packet on what you have learned so far during your current unit
• Games based on the topic you are working one

5 Fast Finisher Management and Organization Tips

• Create a bulletin board, poster, display, or station designated to show students what they can do when they are finished with their task.
• Store fast finisher activities in bins, baskets, folders, or binders.
• Write fast finisher activities on popsicle sticks and store them in a labeled cup.
• Post a grid with options of fast finisher activities student can work on.
• Post expectations for when students are doing these types of activities (e.g. work independently and work quietly).

4 Fast Finisher Resources

Below are 3 tasks that are perfect for students who finish early.

1. Spiral Review Math Activities

These spiral review activities are great tasks for students to work on when they finish early.

• 1st Grade Spiral Review Activities
• 2nd Grade Spiral Review Activities
• 3rd Grade Spiral Review Activities
• 4th Grade Spiral Review Activities
• 5th Grade Spiral Review Activities

2. Logic Puzzles

Another great resources to use for students who finish their work early are these sets of logic puzzles.

• Addition and Subtraction Logic Puzzles
• Multiplication and Division Logic Puzzles

3. Reading Activities that Go with Any Book

This set of reading activities that can be used with any book are awesome! Their open ended format also allows them to be used over and over again through the school year.

4. Monthly Writing Journals

The final fast finisher resource on this list are the monthly writing prompt journals. Prep them one month at a time or for the whole year and you will be good to go!

In closing, we hope you found these fast finisher activities and ideas helpful! Be sure to check out the resources above to save you time and energy prepping tasks for your students who finish early.

The post Fast Finisher Activities and Ideas for Elementary Teachers in 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

10 Classroom Pencil Management Tips

Below are 10 tips for managing classroom pencils.

1. Provide Each Student a Standard Yellow Number 2 Pencil

Provide a standard issue, yellow, no-frills, number 2 pencil to use to each student. This alone will eliminate a lot of distraction – It will end the disputes over who the Avengers pencil belonged to and put a stop to the kid who would spend the better part of the day refilling his mechanical pencil with lead. Ticonderoga pencils are the best!

2. Write Students’ Numbers on Their Pencils

Write the students’ numbers at the top of the pencil with Sharpie. They typically do not smudge off, but if it is a problem you could also give it a quick swipe of clear nail polish.

3. Lead Class Discussions about Responsibility

Explain how it was their job to try and make a pencil last for an entire month. Setting this goal will eliminate the desire kids have to always have “the best pencil.” You’re likely going through your supply rapidly and finding less desirable pencils scattered around the classroom.

4. Use a Silent Hand Signal for Communicating about Pencils

Teach students to use a silent signal to let you know that their pencil is broken or dull. At the start of the year, make a big show of “inspecting the pencil by holding it up to the light, squinting to look closely at it, testing it on a scrap of paper, etc. to determine if it really needed to be sharpened or not. This helped students quickly understand the difference between needing to sharpen a pencil and wanting to sharpen a pencil.

5. Assign Pencil Sharpener as a Classroom Job

Instead of letting everyone sharpen their own pencil, make it a classroom job. Use two cups in your classroom with pencil labels – one for pencils that need sharpening and one filled with loaner pencils that could be borrowed. The loaner pencils can be marked with tape. The student assigned to pencil sharpening not only can they sharpen the pencils, but also return them to the owners’ tables and desks at the end of each day.

6. Keep a Supply Caddy at Each Small Group Table

Never have your students travel with their pencils when they would move around for centers. Instead, keep a supply caddy at your small group table for them to use. You can also leave supply caddies at each center location that students can access.

7. Employ the Help of Volunteers

Ask parents who are not able to come in and volunteer to sharpen and prepare pencils for you at home. They can sharpen 2 months worth at a time and label them with the students’ numbers for you. This is a time-saver and helps build relationships with families.

8. Invest in a High Quality Pencil Sharpener

The cheaper pencil sharpeners stop working quickly. You won’t regret splurging for a high quality one! I recommend this pencil sharper from Amazon! This is an affiliate link.

This is by far the best pencil sharpener for the classroom. It’s as quiet as a pencil sharpener can be. It’s lightning fast which makes it a  teacher time saver. Best of all it sharpens pencils in a way that provides a perfect point that doesn’t easily break.

My former neighbor had one and I always bypassed my sharpener and went next door to use the one in her classroom. She moved to a different school and sadly took it with her.

I’ve been wanting to order one of my own for awhile and I’m embarrassed to say that the only reason I finally logged on to do so was because the ridiculous hand held sharpener (you know the ones that don’t even catch the shavings) I have been using at home for years (sadly I’m not exaggerating) lost a battle with my daughter’s crayons and could no longer be used to (sort of) make a point on a pencil. Seriously, a whittling knife would’ve worked better.

Imagine my delight when I went to finally order the sharpener I’ve been coveting for years and noticed it was on sale for 55% off. Woohoo!

9. Store Your Surplus Stash of Pencils Together

Keep them in a cupboard or drawer that you can easily access each month to restock the pencils in your classroom.

10. Use Fun Decorative Pencils for Special Occasions

Using plain boring yellow pencils on a regular basis also provides the added opportunity to let students use a decorative pencil as a special treat. Let your students use special pencils on their birthday or when they are student of the week. The key is to have students take them home at the end of the day.

In closing, we hope you found these classroom pencil management tips helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these posts:

• How to Keep a Clean and Tidy Classroom
• Back to School Read Alouds for Elementary Teachers
• Classroom Management Strategies for Teachers

The post Classroom Pencil Management Tips: How to Solve All Your Pencil Problems appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

5 Tricks for Lining Up Students and Walking in the Hall

Below are 5 tricks for lining up students and walking in the hall.

1. Assign Places in Your Line

The first step in managing a line is to assign a consistent place in the line for each student. Lining up students in a structured way will prevent them from running and pushing their way to the door when it’s time to line up. Some teachers have their kids line up alphabetically or in number order. This is a great start because it does eliminate the pushing and shoving. The benefit of lining up this way is that you can easily take attendance during a fire drill.

I did this for a few years and it certainly was an improvement. However, my recommendation now is to assign spots in line strategically so that students are located next to peers who are “a good match” for them and are placed in positions which help them make positive choices. Any time they need to line up as a class they do so in “line order.” We practice this as one of our routines/procedures at the start of each year and within a few days they do it automatically without fanfare.

How to Assign a Line Order

Start by dividing your class into three groups: friends who need assistance in making good choices, friends who always exhibit role model behavior and friends who fall in the middle.

Use your list of students who need support in making positive choices to identify the two students who need the most support. Make them your line leader and your caboose. There are several reasons for this.

• Having them be the line leader and caboose means they will only be next to one other peer.
• It places them on an end of the line which is ideal if you are leading your line into an assembly because they are easily accessible on the ends.
• It gives them a sense of purpose.

I really play up the importance of the roles of being in those positions to those students. For example, I tell my leader that they are responsible for remembering to stop at designated places for our line to regroup. I tell my friend at the end that he/she plays an important role. Since I am not at the end of the line it is his/her responsibility to give me a thumbs up when the back of the line is quiet and ready to continue walking. That student is also responsible for shutting the lights off and shutting the door. These added tasks provide those students with a feeling of importance which turns the energy that may be used for off task behavior in the hallway and channels it into a helpful task.

Next, place another student from the list of friends who need support in the center of your line and then stagger the remaining names at equal intervals apart within the line.

Finally, add in those friends who were on your third list. The decisions on where to place them should be based on who you feel they will behave most appropriately with.

2. Have a Lining Up Procedure

The second tip is to have a lining up procedure for your students. Once you’ve determined the order for your line of students, you’ll want to establish a systematic method of walking. In my classroom I call the students to line up in three different groups in the following order:

• outside row
• middle row
• and inside row

The inside row lines up against the wall so I call them first. Once they are “in position” I call the middle row. The middle row lines up in front of the door next in between the outside and inside row so I call them second. The inside row then lines up closest to the main area of the classroom. 

Lining them up this way serves a few purposes:

• They are able to walk directly to their space in line without weaving through other students.
• When they need a reminder about the expectations for lining up I can add in a bit of friendly competition by saying I’ll be watching to see which row is best demonstrating the expected behavior.
• Because the total length of each line is only 1/3 of the class, I don’t need to reserve the entire length of the classroom. Since lining up takes up such a small portion of the school day, I can instead place a student table there for math workshop / guided math rotations.

3. Set Hallway Expectations

The expectation once they are in the hallway is that they are ALWAYS silent. They have ample opportunity to talk throughout the day. We talk a lot about the importance of respecting other learners in the building and how we can help them stay focused by not disrupting them as we go by. That has more impact than just telling them to be quiet in the hall.

To help them meet the hallway expectation I build in several stops that I refer to as “checkpoints.” At these designated spots the line stops, I glance up and down it and when it looks ready to go I give them a thumbs up and we continue. This really takes no time at all.

I always have the line stop at a corner. The reason I do this is so that I can position myself at the corner so that I can see the entire line at all times. As the last student rounds the corner I walk with them again. If a teacher walks with the line around a corner, there is going to be a span of time when several students are not in her sight.

Upon returning to the classroom, the line leader is expected to stop at the door and the line stops behind him. This step is important because it give the teacher time to catch up and prevents students from being out of her line of sight. You never want students to be unattended in the classroom.

4. Facilitate Practice Opportunities

Just like any other procedure and routine you have in your classroom, you’ll need to set aside time for students to practice lining up and walking in the hallway. Review the expectations ahead of time, provide feedback as necessary, and debrief after you return to the classroom.

5. Introduce Incentives

It would be great if kids met the expectations just because they were expectations, but sometimes they need a bit of incentive. Here are two things I’ve had outstanding success with: Class Compliments and Secret Walker.

Class Compliments

If my class received a compliment from another adult in the building for how well the line is working together, I added a link to our Classroom Teamwork Chain, which is available individually or as part of my Classroom Management Bundle.

Secret Walker

Before we leave the classroom, I always selected a “secret walker”. I told them I would be paying extra close attention to that friend as we progressed to our destination. I made sure he faced forward, walked quietly, and kept his hands by his side. When we got to the destination I revealed the name of the secret walker. However, I only told the class who it was if the secret walker met all the expectations for the entire walk. The kids loved this and it was highly effective.  Instead of having to single out a child to say, “turn around” or “remember to be silent in the hallway” I simply said to the entire class, “I’m checking to see if my secret walker is a) facing forward, b) ready to walk, or c) walking quietly”.

If I was using a clip chart as a behavior system, I let the secret walker “clip up”. I also gave the child a certificate for the secret walker to bring home to show his or her family. I gave them the entire width of the paper which includes a certificate to take home and a raffle ticket. They wrote their name on the ticket, cut the slip on the dotted line and deposited it into a container. I drew a name from the container when I needed a student or students for special tasks. An example is helping the kindergarten class in the computer lab.

In closing, I hope you found these tricks for students lining up and walking in the hallway helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these posts:

• How to Teach Procedures and Routines to Elementary Students
• Classroom Management Strategies that Work
• Back to School Read Alouds for Elementary Teachers

The post 5 Tricks for Students Lining Up and Walking in the Hallway – 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

5 Strategies for Managing Classroom Transitions

Below are 5 tips and strategies for managing classroom transitions.

1. Establish Clear Expectations and Routines

The first strategy for smoothening and quickening classroom transitions is to establish clear expectations, procedures and routines. Establishing very clear expectations and routines from the very first day on is incredibly important. Think about the following questions: What does it look like for students to transition quickly and quietly? How long should it take to transition from one activity to the next? When will students transition throughout the day?

2. Set Class Goals

The second strategy for smoothening and quickening classroom transitions is to set class goals. Goal setting is such a valuable skill for elementary students. At the beginning of the school year, set a goal for how quickly your class can transition and have them work towards it. These goal setting videos would be a nice complement.

3. Utilize a Timer

The third strategy for smoothening and quickening classroom transitions is to use a timer. Pick one transition at a time to focus on. Perhaps you want them to improve on lining up for lunch. Maybe you are finding you are losing valuable writer’s workshop time because the students are taking too long to get their writing supplies and start writing. Whichever transition you select is the one you will stick with for a few days. Without drawing attention to what you are doing, time how long it takes the students to transition. Record the time where they can see it.

At a later time (such as during a class meeting) explain the problem and how you are going to work as a team to solve it. If you’ve been teaching your students about a growth mindset you could tie in the benefits of goal setting to your work in that area. Tell them how long it took them to transition and set an initial goal of beating that time.

The next time that transition occurs get their attention and review the procedures. Remind them not to run and to always work as a team. Start the timer and tell them to transition. When they have successfully transitioned from point A to point B I stop the timer and record the time. Discuss how the transition went. Talk about what was done well and address any areas to be improved further. 

4. Introduce Incentives

The fourth strategy for smoothening and quickening classroom transitions is to introduce incentives. Keep track of how long a particular transition takes per day and encourage your students to strive to beat their best time. If they beat their best time, the class can earn a reward or some sort of incentive. If they don’t beat the time, just focus on how to improve. Once they show improvement in a specific transition, target another using the same process.

5. Use a Chime or Bell

The last strategy for smoothening and quickening classroom transitions is to use a chime or bell. Wind chimes are the perfect signal for alerting your students that it is time to clean up an activity and transition to the next. Upon touching the chimes, the procedure is to become silent, put away whatever was being worked on and quickly transition to the group area. This strategy can also be used with a bell.

In closing, we hope you found this post about classroom transitions helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in this classroom management bundle, as well as these posts:

• Classroom Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers
• Back to School Read Alouds for 1st-5th Teachers
• Behavior Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers

The post 5 Strategies for Managing Classroom Transitions in 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

When I graduated from college, I worked as a classroom aide for the first and second-grade level team. There was one first grade teacher who amazed me. Her room would be all aflutter with little people chatting and moving and everything else that comes with being 6 years old. And then this teacher would just start talking. She would simply say, “Boys and Girls…(insert whatever she needed to tell them)” and the entire class would freeze, look and listen. Just by talking in a normal tone at a conversation volume. WHAT? I still don’t know what kind of voodoo spell she cast over them to make that magic happen, but I assure you, I have never seen it replicated anywhere or at any time.

I gave up trying to figure it out and instead worked on developing creative ways to get my students attention (including the attention grabber examples I will share below) and fine-tuning the art of only teaching when the students are focused and on task. To master this you need to be consistent in your expectations and classroom management skills and invest time in making sure the items below become second nature to your students. 

What is an Attention Grabber?

An attention grabber is a signal you use to get students to focus their eyes and ears on you so you can teach or give directions. It is one of the very first things you should teach each school year. Attention getters are also used when the class has become loud or off task and you need to redirect them. The level of noise, your location at the time and the specific situation will determine the type of attention getter you will want to use.

Why are Attention Grabbers Important?

Attention grabbers are important to have because they help you get your students’ attention in the case of an emergency. In addition, they help you manage your classroom more easily.

Attention Grabber Examples

Below are some attention grabber examples you can use with your students.

Beginning of the School Year

Because you will have not yet formed a relationship with the students or know what to expect of them as individuals, you will want to first introduce a method of getting their attention that is obvious.

1. Shutting Off the Lights

One method I always found to be most effective is shutting off the lights. It cuts through the noise and commands their immediate attention. Instruct them to freeze and turn to you when they hear it. Practice a few times immediately.

2. Ringing a Bell

Another grabber for the beginning of the year is ringing a bell. It’s another one that cuts through the noise and commands their immediate attention. Instruct them to freeze and turn to you when they hear it. Practice a few times immediately.

3. “If you Can Hear Me…”

The next signal I introduced (and the one I used most often throughout the year) was a verbal cue. I would quietly say, “If you can hear me clap once.” The nearby students would clap which alerted other students. I would then say, “If you can hear me clap twice.” The students would clap two times and the clapping got the attention of the other students. There were noisier times when I would need to tell them to “stomp three times” or I would tell them, ‘If you can here me say ‘whooop whoooop!” This silenced the room fast. When we were in the hallway or another area where clapping and stomping was not appropriate I would say, “If you can hear me touch your nose” or “If you can hear me whisper, ‘shhhh.”

Throughout the School Year

As the year goes on, strive to find ways to keep things new and interesting. Introduce call back phrases and signals. Elementary students love these types of attention grabbers! Let your specialist teachers know which attention getter works best with your class. They probably have their own methods, but sometimes it is nice to have consistency if it is a challenging cohort.

1. “Macaroni and Cheese… Everybody Freeze”

An example would be the teacher saying, “Macaroni and Cheese” and the class responding with “Everybody freeze!”.

2. “Alligator, Alligator… Chomp, Chomp, Chomp”

Another example would be the teacher saying, “Alligator, Alligator” and the class responding with “Chomp, Chomp, Chomp” while clapping their hands like an alligator.

3. Clapping Pattern

Another popular method is to clap a pattern and have the students repeat it.

Other Listening Strategies

Below are 3 other listening strategies to add to your classroom management tool kit this year.

1. Active Listening Skills

In addition to using lots of attention grabber examples, you will need to explicitly teach your elementary students active listening strategies.

I’ve often heard teachers say, “You need to pay attention.” I’ve said it myself. However, in order to expect children to be focused and attentive, teachers need to take some time to specifically explain to the students what that means.

When I was going through the process of becoming a National Board Certified teacher I needed to plan, record and analyze specific lessons. The lesson had to include not only the content area material I was focusing on but also a social skill to target.

I had to show evidence of that skill in the video, so I started by recording several of my lessons. I positioned the camera so that it captured all the children from the front. If you have never done this I highly recommend it. You will be amazed at what you learn about your students and your teaching when you view it from the outside.

For me, I noticed that although my students were meeting behavioral expectations and following the routines, many were not actively listening. I made that my social skill target goal and based on the success I saw with that cohort, it became a skill I set aside time to teach every year after.

2. Whole Body Listening

Whole body listening is a way of listening and responding to another person that improves mutual understanding. I began by letting them know what it means to be a“whole body listener.” We discussed how our bodies should look, what we should be doing and how we should be responding when we are listening. We brainstormed reasons why the skill was important and the risks of not doing it.

To help them better understand, I read them a story I knew would not be familiar to them. I told them that when I was reading I wanted them to be looking at me and sitting quietly, but I also wanted them to be thinking about other things. I even gave them topics. The story was about a boy’s birthday party. As I began to read I asked them to remember a really fun birthday party they attended. I told them to replay that party in their mind while I read. Afterwards, I asked them questions about the passage. I pointed out how hard it was to answer the questions because even though it looked like they were listening, they were actually focused on something else.

Check out this classroom management resource!

Next, I specifically explained and modeled how to listen with the whole body. I created a chart showing how they should look and referenced it as a reminder before each lesson. As time went on I could simply cue them by saying, “This is important. I need you to listen with your whole body.”

3. Establish a “Listening Look”

Teaching active listening skills and “whole body listening” takes time. The problem is that you need their attention from day one.

To start, simply establish a “Listening Look.” This shows that the students are focused on the speaker. In my classroom, a listening look includes hands clasped together (so as not to be touching/fidgeting with anything) with eyes and ears on the person speaking.

I certainly don’t expect the class to be in this position throughout every lesson and conversation. Instead, I save it for important messages and guests. For example, if the principal came in to tell them something I would say, “Friends, please stop what you are doing and give Mr. _ a listening look.”

I also use it to signal heightened importance or to redirect them if it is getting a bit chaotic. It’s much nicer to say, “I need a listening look” and have a hush fall across the room than to point out that it’s too loud…too crazy…too whatever.

This poster was something I purchased during my very first year of teaching. It took residence in 2 states, 4 schools, and 8 classrooms before being retired. We now create an anchor chart using a photo of my actual class sporting the listening look.

Stand at the front of the room and have your students give you their best listening look. Snap a photo. Print it as large as you can. Label what is happening (hands clasped, facing the speaker, mouths closed, etc). It’s effective. I like being able to say, “You should look like your picture.”

Classroom Management Resources

I hope you found this information about attention getters and all of the attention grabber examples helpful! If you did, check them out below, as well as my other classroom management resources.

In closing, we hope you found these attention grabber examples helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these posts:

• Classroom Management Strategies for a Chatty Class
• Classroom Management Strategies for 1st-5th Grade Teachers
• Behavior Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers

The post Attention Grabber Examples & Other Listening Strategies appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

What are Classroom Hand Signals?

Basically, instead of a student raising his hand, waiting to be noticed and called on, and then verbally requesting to use the bathroom, sharpen a pencil, or get a drink of water, he instead holds up a specific number of fingers. This shows the teacher what he needs and she can simply acknowledge him with a nod. This system is effective throughout the entire school day, but is especially useful when you are conferencing with a student or teaching a small group lesson.

What are the Benefits to Using Silent Signals?

Have you ever found yourself sitting at your small group instruction table fully engaged in an amazing lesson only to find a student, who is not part of that guided math group, has wandered over to ask to sharpen a pencil? Perhaps you have been reading a story to the class and you ask a meaningful comprehension question and when you call on a student with his hand raised for the answer he instead asks, “May I use the bathroom?” These common problems can be completely eliminated with the use of hand signals.

In the past, I have experimented with simply allowing them to move around as needed, but there were always a few students who took advantage of that. They would get off task and wander the room to get a drink or a tissue to avoid working on something. This then distracted others from their work. The hand signals are an added step to prevent off task behaviors. Knowing that I am aware of their actions eliminates impulsive behaviors associated with wandering.

How to Use Silent Hand Signals

The students communicate their basic needs using five numbered hand signals. This eliminates the need to interrupt the class while allowing me to be aware of the location of each student at all times. By using the hand signals, students are able to let me know what they need by holding up a specific number of fingers. I am able to simply look at them and nod to acknowledge their request. I can do this without stopping what I am doing. This is important as I am frequently working with other students. Below is advice for how to use hand signals during lessons and group discussions.

How to Use Hand Signals During Lessons

Here’s how it typically goes down. You’re in your meeting area with all of your friends gathered around. You’re executing a riveting lesson and ask a question of the group. Hands go up. You’re psyched. You call on one and the child says (in a sing-songy voice), “This one tiiiime…” He then launches into a story that doesn’t relate to your lesson. You call on the next raised hand and hope that she will provide the answer you so anxiously await. Instead you hear, “Why does the…?”

I use student participation hand signals during my lessons to identify what my friends want to verbalize, so I can pick and choose who to call on to maximize instructional time.

Instead of simply raising their hand to let me know they want to speak, they hold up a letter sign to let me know what it is they want to say.

• I represents, “I have a question.”
• A represents “Answer.”
• C represents “Comment.”

There are two benefits to this. The obvious is that I know what they are going to contribute and can call on someone with an answer instead of a comment. It also lets me know who has a legit question as opposed to who wants to tell me something that may or may not relate to the topic.

The other benefit is that it gives the students the ability to identify what they want to say. It makes them aware and really cuts down on distraction and commentary that can set us off task. They don’t just shoot their hand up. I’ve also found that it eliminates the raised hand followed by “uuhhhh… I forget.”

How to Use Hand Signals for Group Discussions

You know how a student will say something and 15 other hands shoot up because they make a personal connection? The “me too” sign allows those 15 youngsters to let you and everyone in the room know that they also did whatever the speaker did or that they also like whatever the speaker likes. It’s a great way to keep everyone on task, yet it lets them “be heard.”

When a child says something like, “I like pizza,” other students give them the “me too” sign which lets them know they like pizza too.

I also use it when a child answers a question. Other students who had the same answer or agree with the speaker will give the “me too” sign to show that they are in agreement.

How to Implement a Classroom Hand Signals System

Using hand signals in the classroom helps to create a learning environment with minimal distraction. I’ve been using them for as long as I can remember and they are an essential part of my classroom management system.

1. Download the Classroom Hand Signals Resources

The classroom hand signals resources are part of my classroom management bundle. Both are available in my Clutter-Free Classroom Teachers Pay Teachers store. They are editable and have been used by thousands of teachers with great success.

Another option is to make them yourself. Begin by creating a hand signal for each of the basic needs that students typically have. I have found that holding up a specific number of fingers works best for this purpose. In my classroom, I used the following number system:

• 1 = May I use the bathroom?
• 2 = May I get a tissue?
• 3 = May I sharpen my pencil?
• 4 = May I get a drink of water?
• 5 = I have a question.

2. Prep the Classroom Hand Signals Resources

Print the classroom hand signals resources on card stock, cut them out, and then laminate them. Printing them on card stock and laminating them will help increase durability so that you can use them year after year.

3. Designate a Spot to Post the Hand Signal Posters

You will want to display the chart showing what each number represents, so students can refer to it if they forget. Having these posters displayed serves several purposes:

• They become a visual reference for students who may not remember them.
• They will be necessary for substitute teachers.
• Classroom aides, parent volunteers, and support staff can easily see what a student needs.
• If a child forgets to use the hand signal and instead blurts out, you can simply point to the hand signal posters, and hold up the correct sign as a non-verbal reminder.
• They become a visual reference for students who may not remember them.
• They will be necessary for substitute teachers.
• Classroom aides, parent volunteers, and support staff can easily see what a student needs.
• If a child forgets to use the hand signal and instead blurts out, you can simply point to the hand signal posters, and hold up the correct sign as a non-verbal reminder.

I recommend posting them in your whole group area so students can refer to them as needed during whole group instruction.

4. Introduce the Silent Hand Signals to Your Students

On the first day of school, I explain that we are going to use an exciting secret language in our classroom. I tell them that we will sometimes be communicating with our hands. I explained the reasoning and introduced the chart.

We practice together as a group in two ways. First, I hold up 1-5 fingers and they tell me what it means. Next, I name one of the needs (bathroom, tissue, etc.) and they show me how to ask using the nonverbal signals. They always pick it up rather quickly.

It is important to let them know that if there is a bathroom emergency, bloody nose, or a sneeze gone bad, they may need to quickly get to the restroom or tissue box without using the hand signal. However, to limit disruptions so more learning can take place, and so an adult always knows where everyone is, they are expected to use the hand signals.

5. Post the Classroom Hand Signals Posters

After you have introduced and practice the hand signals, post the posters at the location you previously selected. Refer back to them as needed.

5 Tips for Using Classroom Hand Signals

Below are tips for using hand signals in your classroom.

1. Reteach and Review the Posters as Needed

If a child forgets to use the hand signal, and instead asks verbally or blurts out a request, you should redirect him. Say, “Don’t forget we use hand signals, so we don’t disturb the class. Please look at the chart and ask again using the signals.” This reinforces the procedure while also reminding them there is a resource available if they forget.

2. Share the System with Specialists

Share the system with the specials teachers. They may have their own system for their classrooms, but still let them know what you do. It is highly likely that the hand signals will become routine and the students will use them when they are at specials. Those teachers will appreciate knowing why a child is sitting and holding up three fingers.

3. Explain the System in Your Sub Plans

Be sure to reference the system in your sub plans accompanied by a brief explanation.

4. Teach Anyone who Works in Your Classroom about the System

Let paraprofessionals, parent volunteers, or your student teacher working in the classroom know what the hand signals mean.

5. Set Clear Expectations

I ask that they do not request to get a drink or use the bathroom (unless it is an emergency) during read alouds, whole group instruction, or when they are working in a small group with me so that they do not miss part of a lesson. It is important to discuss what an actual emergency entails or you will have your friends claiming that it is always an emergency. The majority of my instruction is done in the form of shorter mini-lessons, so this is never a problem.

In closing, I hope you found this post about classroom hand signals helpful! If you did, you may be interested in learning about more helpful classroom management tips and resources. I highly encourage you to check out my popular Classroom Management Bundle. It includes a detailed guide to classroom management, a teacher workbook, and a HUGE collection of printable resources that will make managing your classroom simple and enjoyable. Be sure to read through the feedback from teachers like you who have used it to see how effective it has been. If you would simply like to grab the editable hand signal signs I’ve created those are available too. Both are shown below.

The post Classroom Hand Signals that Improve Student Engagement in 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

5 Classroom Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Below is a list of ideas for classroom arrival and dismissal procedures and routines.

1. Greet and Say Goodbye to Students

Whenever possible, greet and say goodbye to each student individually as they enter and leave the classroom for the day. Use eye contact, smile and let the children know you are happy they are in your class. Consider standing in the doorway to ensure you don’t miss a student.

2. Play Music

There is always a buzz at the start and end of the day. It is usually a fairly unstructured time, but students have tasks they need to do. Use a song to signal how long students have to get ready for the school day or to pack up to go home. Students love music and you’ll love how it calms the chaos.

3. Start and End the Day the Same Way Each Day

The third idea on this list of classroom arrival and dismissal procedures is to start and end the same way each day. By having a consistent arrival and dismissal routine, students quickly learn what is expected of them and these parts of the day will practically run themselves. Maintain your routines throughout the year and you’ll never have to worry when a substitute teacher covers your room.

4. Hold a Meeting

Consider holding a meeting at the beginning and end of your school day. Having your entire class routinely come together to begin and end each school day is a great way to create a strong classroom community and a positive learning environment. There is no right or wrong way to hold a class meeting. Instead, it is a matter of finding what works best for you and the cohort of students in front of you each year. That means that not only will your meeting be unique to you, but it may also look different each and every year.

5. Invite Students to Engage in a Quiet Activity

Whether you are starting or ending your school day, invite students to participate in a quiet and relaxing activity or read aloud a book to them. At the beginning of the day, it helps students make the transition from the hustle and bustle in the hall to being ready to learn. At the end of the day, it provides an opportunity for students to decompress and hear the announcements with ease.

In closing, we hope you found these classroom arrival and dismissal procedures and routines helpful! If you did, then you may be interested in my classroom management bundle, as well as these posts:

• Classroom Dismissal Procedures and Routines
• Classroom Morning Routine Ideas for Elementary Teachers
• Back to School Read Alouds for Elementary Teachers

The post Classroom Arrival and Dismissal Procedures and Routines for Elementary Teachers – 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.