“8:30 am ~ With resolute eyes, she stares at the door, waiting for the inevitable. The distant sound of a tornado is drawing closer with each passing beat of her heart. The sound becomes deafening as she approaches the door to meet the monster head-on. She reaches for the cold steel of the handle and is propelled backwards as the tornado rips into the room blowing past her in a terrifying rush. Furniture is tossed aside; paper is thrown about as the tornado settles into a horrific windstorm.
She leans against the door and sighs, “Why can’t they just enter the classroom quietly?”
Why don't the students enter classrooms quietly? It is not in their nature to do so... they are, by nature playground creatures! Entering a classroom quietly is abnormal. Until we proactively teach and reinforce the procedures of our classroom they will continue to act normal.
Characteristics of Proactive Procedures:
- Are proactive - thoroughly thought out before students arrive.
- Use wording that is positive, “start,” and simple.
- Are taught and practiced at the beginning of the year.
- Wording is specific, measureable and observable.
- Practiced until automatic and routine with students.
If you need any assistance or ideas, look on The Principal's Office calendar to register for an upcoming "Putting Away the Paddle" workshop.
Brian
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