Teaching classroom procedures at the beginning of the year is one of the most important things you can do to guarantee a successful school year. The good news is: it doesn’t have to be dry and boring! It can actually be activities that students ask to do over and over all year!
Check out these fun games and activities and include them in your planning from day one!
1. Procedures Race:
Divide students into teams. Then, design and create a relay race where each team must complete a series of classroom procedures correctly. For example, setting up a desk, sharpening a pencil, and returning materials. The first team to complete all of the procedures accurately wins.
2. Procedure Charades:
Write various classroom expectations of students or classroom tasks on slips of paper and place them in a hat. Have students take turns acting out the procedure they drew while their classmates try to guess what they are demonstrating. This activity reinforces procedural understanding in a fun and interactive way.
3. Procedural Simon Says:
Play a classic game of Simon Says, but instead of using body movements, give instructions related to classroom procedures. For example, “Simon says line up silently,” or “Simon says clean up and organize your materials.” This can be a great transition between activities, a review of the expectations, or even just a fun body break throughout the day!
4. Procedural Puzzles:
Create puzzle pieces that depict different classroom procedures. Mix up the pieces and have students work collaboratively to assemble the puzzles correctly. This activity reinforces procedural knowledge and teamwork.
5. Procedures Sorting:
Create cards with pictures or descriptions of different classroom procedures. Provide students with sorting mats labeled “Correct” and “Incorrect.” Have students work individually or in pairs to sort the cards based on whether the procedure shown is correct or incorrect.
6. Procedure Relay:
Set up stations around the classroom, each representing a different classroom procedure. Divide students into teams and have them rotate through the stations, practicing and demonstrating the procedures correctly within a set time limit.
7. Procedure Puppet Show:
Have students create hand puppets, or use finger puppets to act out different classroom procedures. They can put on short skits, or role-play, to demonstrate the correct way to perform the various tasks and expectations for their classmates.
8. Procedural Memory Game:
Create a memory game using index cards. Write different classroom procedures on pairs of cards. Students take turns flipping over two cards, trying to match the correct procedure with its description. This game reinforces procedural memory while adding an element of fun.
9. Procedure Dance Party:
Select a few catchy songs and create dance moves to represent different classroom procedures. Play the songs and have students perform the corresponding dance moves while verbally describing the procedures.
10. Procedural Bingo:
Create Bingo cards with different classroom procedures in each square. Call out procedures randomly, and students mark off the corresponding procedures on their cards. The first student to get a line or a full card wins.
11. Procedures Relay Race:
Set up a relay race where students have to complete specific classroom procedures correctly at each station before passing the baton to the next teammate. This activity combines physical movement and procedural practice.
12. Procedural Board Game:
Create a board game that incorporates various classroom procedures as spaces or cards. Students move through the game, following the instrutions indicated on the board or cards they draw. This interactive game makes practicing enjoyable for everyone!
13. Procedures Pictionary:
Divide students into teams and provide each team with a whiteboard or large piece of paper. Give one student from each team a procedural card to draw while their teammates try to guess the correct procedure. Rotate roles within the teams for multiple rounds.
14. Procedural Relay Race: Sequencing Edition:
Create cards with jumbled-up steps of a specific classroom procedure. Divide students into teams and have them race to put the steps in the correct order. The team that correctly sequences the procedure the fastest wins.
15. Procedures Sculptures:
Provide modeling clay or playdough to students. Assign each student or pair of students a specific classroom procedure to sculpt. Students can then display their sculptures and explain the procedure they represent to their classmates.
Incorporating fun activities to practice classroom procedures not only makes learning enjoyable but also reinforces them in order to help your classroom run smoothly. By making procedural practice a fun and collaborative experience, teachers can set a positive tone for the school year and establish a strong foundation for a well-managed classroom environment.
Looking for more tips and tricks to help manage classroom behaviour? Check out my blog and head on over to my section specifically about Classroom Management for more ideas!
