Setting up Routines and Expectations (Term 1, 2018)

I found out fast that setting up routines and expectations is important. I have always heard how the routines you set up in the first few weeks are the routines you set for the entire year.
This weeks focus was on setting up routines and expectations that align with the school-wide expectations and making sure this was done clearly and frequently.
Over the first week we touched on the school tool kit to refresh all of our thinking, and started working on our classroom treaty.
Week two we completed our treaty which has already been used as a management strategy. It is a great tool to use as we came up with our own treaty ideas pulling a part each one. We explored what each idea looked like, felt like, and sounds like, to make it easier to remember when we refer back over the year.

When week 3 came around I felt as though I knew my students well, at least in regard to how they react in situations socially and in their learning. This has helped to set up appropriate behaviour management strategies. I was able to use a common school 'attention grabber' where my students mostly respond and quieten down however, they are not always completely settled. I have added strategies like counting down which usually attracts the rest of the class. This strategy works for my class and allows students to learn to manage themselves and also step up and make sure their classmates are doing the right thing too.

Setting up routines has been a little trickier. A saying that keeps going through my head is "I don't know what I don't know" as I find it hard to know everything to set up, which is leaving me frustrated with myself. There is so many things going through my head however, every day is clearing many doubts I have. I have so many resources I can use within my reach and I keep asking myself how can I work smarter not harder. I have learnt two main things, one, that I do not have to start everything from scratch! I can use already exisiting ideas and adjust them according to my learners, and two, just to relax and take everything on board as it comes so I don't get overwhelmed with information.

Once we start to get familiar with the routines and expectations I would like to start thinking about a rewards system for my class. This will give my students something to work towards and motivate them in their learning.
So far positive cards are doing a treat and most of the time expectations are being met however, we are still continuously practising classroom routines and having to go back multiple times before we get it right. Maybe by establishing a larger goal they will think about their actions and decisions, and feel a sense of achievement when they succeed in their weekly or monthly goal.