We as teachers rely so heavily on behavior in our classrooms, but what are you doing to ensure your student’s success around the school? While we might not want to admit it, our students’ behavior around other areas of the school is often a reflection of us as well. You’ve worked hard on the behavior in your classroom, now let’s look into ways that we can make sure our expectations continue even when your students are out of your classroom.
Students should have the understanding that all teachers around the school should be respected.
So what does this look like? Well, it is having honest conversations with your students about why this is important. Mini-lessons and read-alouds are great ways that you can introduce this concept. Sometimes it may seem like common sense to us that students should know to behave as well as they do in other classes as well. Alarming enough, to some of them, they might think that expectation is only for your class. When they leave, it is the green light for them to have fun and go wild like they would at recess.
Instead, opt to review different areas of the school and why it is important to withhold your classroom expectations for behavior around the school.
Library
Expectations in the library can differ from your own classroom which should be discussed a few times before going to the library.
In a lot of cases, some students have never even been to a library before. Even those who have probably never been with a group of friends before! Add long aisles of books and colors, and it seems like a fun time running up and down with everyone. Yeahhhh we should probably try to avoid that if we can.
Talk to your students about what they plan to see and experience at the library. Practice in your classroom and have visual cues available. Each time before you go, do a quick review with your students. Before you know it, your students will be the most well behaved ones there!
School Restrooms
Okay, but what about the areas that don’t have teachers to be respectful to? Yeah, those areas can be tricky. So what should we do? Yup, you guessed it, more visual cues.
Be very clear about your expectations and why they’re important. The bathroom is there for one thing, and one thing only. Your students need to know and understand that. As always, have conversations with them and practice, practice, practice! Go to the bathrooms and practice washing hands and getting done in a timely manner.
Post visual reminders around the bathroom that will show your students how they should and should not be behaving.
If you have been around my blog long enough, you know that I am all about visuals and acting out situations with our students. Taking time in the beginning to focus on what needs to be done will ensure that you have a much more successful year ahead.
Music Class
Like the library, there might be specific expectations for this classroom but your students can still be prepared going in with respect.
Like you did with the library, review respect and what that might mean when it comes to sitting in the classroom.
It would also be good to remind them that this particular teacher might have their own rules that differ from yours. Either way, the basis of respect will remain the same.
I hope these tips help your students be successful with behavior around the school! Make sure to sign up for my email list to get more classroom management freebies, tips, and recommendations!
