One thing I learned this week is the importance of going over classroom expectations. When coming into a new placement once the year is already half-way over, its easy to settle into the fact that your cooperating teacher has already set up the classroom expectations for students. Although this is true, it does not mean that the students are good to go for the rest of the year.

Throughout my placement, I have found myself re-teaching the classroom expectations on multiple occasions. First grade students are young and need reminders of what is expected of them. Although it seems repetitive, it makes a huge difference in your classroom management. Expectations for students at the carpet are one thing I have found really beneficial to go over. The students and I made a list of things they should be doing at the carpet such as being quiet, sitting on their pockets, etc. It’s important to keep these lists positive, writing things such as “Sit quietly” and “Sit on your pockets” rather than “Don’t talk” and “Don’t shout out”, where the statements sound negative and more like rules than expectations.

I have also found myself going over expectations for guided reading, daily 5, bathroom breaks, and math lessons. Role playing, creating lists, and having students remind others of what is expected are all ways you can reteach expectations to students in order to ensure the best learning environment possible for students.