Area of Behavior

A Common Expectation or Procedure

A.  Student use of classroom space and facilities

The teacher needs procedures to handle reporting absences and tardiness.  Students need to know what behaviors are expected of them while the teacher is completing administrative procedures.  Some teachers begin the period with a brief warm-up or anchoring activity.

Students should know what to do when the tardy bell rings, behavior during public address announcements, what materials are expected to be brought to class each day and how materials to be used during the period will be dispersed.

B.  Procedures during whole class instructional activities

1.  Student talk

Many teachers require that students raise their hands in order to receive permission to speak.  Sometimes teachers allow chorus responses (everyone answers at once) without hand raising, but the teacher then needs to identify and use some signal to students that lets them know when such responding is appropriate.

2.  Use of the room by students

Students should know when it is appropriate to use the pencil sharpener or obtain materials from shelves or bookcases, and if and when it is appropriate to leave their seats to seek help from the teacher or other students.  Unclear expectations result in some students spending their time wandering about the room.

3.  Leaving the room

Some procedure needs to be established for allowing students to use the bathroom, go to the library or school office, etc.  Usually the school will have some specified system.  We have noted that teachers who are free with hall passes frequently have larger numbers of students getting in trouble outside the classroom.

4.  Signals for attention

Frequently teachers use a verbal signal or a cue, such as moving to a specific area of the room, ringing a bell or turning on an overhead projector to signal students. 

5.  Grading Policy

Students should know what components will be included in determining report card grades and the weight or percent of each component.

1.  Student use of teacher's desk or storage areas

Generally these are kept off-limits to students except when the teacher gives special permission.

2.  Fire and disaster drills

Students should be informed early in the year about what they are to do during such emergencies.  Typically, the school will have a master plan and will conduct school-wide drills.

3.  Procedures for ending class

Expectations regarding straightening up the room, returning to seats, noise level, and a signal for dismissal may be established.  When cleanup requires more than a few seconds, teacher usually set aside the necessary time at the end of the period to complete the task before the bell rings.

4.  Interruptions

Students need to know what is expected during interruptions.