2c. Managing Classroom Procedures

• Management of instructional groups
• Management of transitions
• Management of materials and supplies
• Performance of classroom routines
• Supervision of volunteers and paraprofessionals

Instructional time is maximized due to efficient and seamless classroom routines and procedures. Students take initiative in the management of instructional groups and transitions, and/or the handling of materials and supplies. Routines are well understood and may be initiated by students. Volunteers and paraprofessionals make an independent contribution to the class.

My colleagues and students will tell you-I am an extremely organized person. There is a place for everything in my classroom, typically color-coordinated, and I review all of these places with students at the beginning of the year. After the first few weeks, if I ask the students to turn in their homework, they know exactly where it goes without question, which smooths transitions within a class nicely. I like to involve students in the classroom organization as well. It helps at times to have students hand out the day's worksheet or collect the exit slips for me at the end of class. This is often a perfect opportunity to involve students who may struggle with behavior when presented with even a minute of downtime.