Routines are best installed at the start of the academic year
However, there are times when a routines needs to installed or re-visited mid-year:
- When behaviour and/or routines has started to slip
- You realise a few weeks/months into the year that there's something you wish you had made routine from the outset
Tips for Resetting Routines
1. Transparency
Briefly explain the 'why' behind hitting the reset button - this will generate buy-in from the students:
Example of a script for resetting a routine
'Sometimes we can all get a little sloppy with our execution of class routines. This is normal but it does mean we our losing important learning time during the lesson'.
'We are going to review this routine and practise it with the aim of doing it perfectly to save learning time moving forward'
2. Model and Describe
There are a number of ways you can model and describe a routine
- Teacher demonstration
- Teacher with a small number of students demonstration
- Students only (use your professional judgement to pick these students)
3. Precise Praise Follow Up
- Acknowledge progress and improvement in the execution of the routine
- Praise students who exceed expectations - those that do it quickly and sensibly with no fuss before the allocated time has finished
- By praising students and/or the whole class you show them the reset is not a punishment but rather your belief in their ability to meet your high expectations