Procedures are the foundation of any well-functioning classroom. If this idea hasn’t fully sunk in yet, stop everything and read this article. Once you’ve absorbed it, come back here to continue reading. Beyond being foundational, procedures bring organization, predictability, and help children understand what is expected of them. But, are your current procedures working as effectively as possible? Let’s explore some key points to help you assess and, if necessary, adjust your classroom procedures.
1. Are your procedures clear?
Clarity is essential for children to understand what to do. Confusing procedures, such as “get a chair for circle time” followed by “sit on the rug for circle time,” or inconsistent sequences like “wash hands, then line up, then put on shoes” one day and “put on shoes, line up, then wash hands” the next, can cause delays and frustrations for both you and the children.
Examples to assess clarity:
- “It’s time to clean up.” Do the children know how and where to put items away? Use visuals or music to guide them.
- During snack time, if you say, “Sit down and wait for your turn,” do the children know exactly where to sit and what they could do while they wait?
- During transitions, you might ask, “Who remembers what to do when we hear the guitar?” reinforcing the procedure.
If you notice hesitation or frequent questions about what to do, it may be time to review how you’re presenting instructions.
2. Are you consistent?
Consistency is key to making procedures automatic and internalized. Changing approaches or giving children independence one day only to take over the task the next can lead to confusion.
Evaluate your consistency:
- Do you use the same commands daily for lining up, snack time, or circle time, such as “Line up behind the red line”? Predictable patterns create reliability.
- During transitions, do you always play or sing the same song? Consistent signals help children understand it’s time to switch activities.
- Is your classroom setup consistent? Constantly reorganizing materials can disrupt predictability, which is essential for children’s confidence and success.
Consistency doesn’t mean rigidity. It’s about creating clear, reliable patterns that make daily routines smoother.
3. Are procedures taking too long?
Efficient procedures should be quick and functional, maximizing teaching time and interaction. If you’re still repeating “how to wash hands” halfway through the year, revisit points one and two. Clarity and consistency help automate necessary tasks without eating into your time.
Ways to evaluate timing:
- If tidying up takes over 10 minutes, assign subgroups specific tasks. For instance, one child might supervise putting away toothbrushes.
- Organizing backpacks? Try enlisting older students or adult helpers to assist younger children.
- During circle time, start with a short song as children settle in to keep the transition moving smoothly.
For one or two days, time how long major procedural blocks take and analyze their impact on your schedule.
4. Can all children follow along?
Procedures must be accessible to all children, regardless of their age, language proficiency, or abilities. Take time at the start of the year to plan for the diversity in your group and ensure your procedures are within everyone’s reach.
Examples:
- If you say, “Push your chair under the table,” but some children don’t understand, model the action and have the whole group, or a small group, practice.
- During snack time, provide visual aids, like cards with “wash hands” or “sit down,” for younger children or new language learners.
- Encourage gestures or keywords for children still developing oral language skills to participate in oral-heavy procedures.
If some children are falling behind, consider offering additional support or adapting the procedure for their specific needs. Buddy systems are a great solution!
5. Do your procedures promote language use?
As a bilingual teacher, every procedure is a language learning opportunity if you plan it that way. Thoughtful planning integrates language learning seamlessly into routines.
Ways to incorporate the target language:
- During classroom organization, encourage phrases like “Where does this go?” or “Can I put it here?”
- Use questions to stimulate language, like “What do we do next?” or “Who remembers the next step?”
- Gently insist children use the target language in daily interactions. For instance, if a child uses their native language respond with, “Can you say that in English? Say: I want water.”
- Integrate songs or phrases tied to actions, like this hand-washing song.
These strategies help children learn language naturally and meaningfully.
6. Are you collecting feedback?
Knowing what works and what doesn’t is vital for refining procedures. Older children, with greater reflective abilities, can help assess routines. You can even create graphs together to analyze data as a class. Good classroom management is everyone’s responsibility!
How to gather feedback:
- Ask the group: “Did everyone understand what to do? What can we do better next time?”
- Observe how children respond to your instructions. Do they seem confident or confused? Do they go directly to tasks, or do they get lost along the way?
- Seek feedback from colleagues or coordinators. Ask them to observe a specific procedure to offer suggestions for improvement.
Feedback refines procedures continuously. We can’t notice everything ourselves!
7. Are you documenting and analyzing?
Maintaining records of your procedures and adjustments—along with your reasoning—helps identify patterns and areas for improvement. Documentation supports thoughtful changes that enhance classroom functioning.
Examples of useful records:
- Make quick notes on challenging transitions or moments to reflect on later. If specific children or groups struggle, write down their names to plan individualized strategies.
- Record children’s progress in understanding and executing procedures. Share these insights with the children to boost engagement and accountability.
Use this data to fine-tune your planning and strategies.
Reminder: Procedures are more than commands—they’re educational tools that structure the environment and foster learning. Regularly assessing and adjusting your routines not only makes daily life easier but also creates a welcoming and effective space for children’s development. Ready to start your evaluation today?
