The 5/5 Rule

I teach graduate level ground-courses at The University of Phoenix. One of my favorites is courses with students preparing to be teachers... they are filled with energy, optimism, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of young people. I emphasize to them the importance of classroom management. One of the basics is the 5/5 rule.

The 5/5 rule addresses the first and last five minutes of their class time. Here's how it works. If a teacher can capture the first five minutes of every class period and control the last five minutes the middle is much easier and productive. Here are the rules to the 5/5 rule:

1) Preparation - before the students enter the classroom the teacher must be prepared with meaningful bell work on each desk or the whiteboard. There must also be quite music playing before the students enter the classroom. The music should be about 60 beats per minute and only instrumental. Classical piano, violin, or guitar have been my student's favorites.

2) Greet & instruct at the door - never let students enter your classroom until you are ready. Control their entry and exit and the middle part will be much easier and productive. Stop the students at the door. In a quiet but firm voice tell them -

"Students, when you enter the classroom I want you to do the following three things... First, enter the classroom quietly; Next, go straight to your desk; Then, begin on your bell work."

Then let your students enter the classroom. If they are unable to follow the three entry rules, have them practice the procedure again.

3) Closure - save the last five minutes of your class period for closure and an exit procedure. Your closure should heavily involve the students. There are many activities they can engage in for a quick and meaningful review of the main points. Further, give them a teaser of what's coming up in the next class period.

4) Instruct & Release - make sure students leave the classroom in an orderly manner. Once again, music assists with the tone. Quietly but firmly instruct the students -

"When you hear the music quietly pick up your backpack and line up at the door."

Start the music and coach them to begin. If the students are unable to follow the directions it is critical that you have them practice until they mastered the procedure.

Try it! I promise you, if you will control the first and last five minutes of your class the middle will be much more productive and your student academic time on task will increase. You will also find that the better you control the last five minutes the easier the first five minutes will be. And, logically, the better you control the first five minutes the easier the last five minutes will become.

Let me know how it works for you!

Dr. Brian