Classroom management is something teachers must pay attention to all day. Its part of the job requirement! Here are some simple classroom management procedure ideas for when students leave the classroom to go the bathroom, nurse, office or for services. If you’ve got students leaving the room then you may feel the need for some levels of accountability, especially from older students. Hopefully these ideas from creative teachers will help give you a system or spark and idea that may work for you.
What’s your classroom system? We’d love to read about it – upload it to the Teach Junkie community so we can ooh and ahh over your brilliant, simple idea. Most often we know that simple makes the best systems. If you have a blog, be sure to leave your link so we can read more there if you have more to share. {wink}
Magnetic Board
Create a magnetic board for a general education classroom. This works best in primary classrooms where students aren’t switching classrooms regularly. Giving a magnet to each student means that they can use it to sign in and out of the classroom. Teachers can create whatever categories work for them and their class and it can even be used for more functional things like taking attendance and lunch count.
At a glance a teacher can see who is out of the classroom and where in the case of an emergency. This example uses a large oil pan and duct tape to create bright sections making a functional board.
Sign Out Sheet
We all know that sometimes students don’t end up where they set out to go or end up spending waaaay more time than they should in the hallways. Here is a simple way to integrate accountability into your classroom management system. Students can use this sign out sheet that will become your friend.
You can provide documentation should you ever need it and all you have to do it add a pen or pencil next to it and you’re set to go. Teach it, use it, lessen problematic areas. {Free download}
Bathroom Sign Out
Simple works in many classrooms. Take this weekly sign out sheet for example. If you want students to track how frequently they are using the restroom and build accountability, this idea may work for you. This version is very quick and may work if you don’t need to document the time students spend outside of the classroom.
Pass Clips
Students can use passes and clip them under the correct boys/girls category. This simple poster and pass method allows you to see which student is in the restroom at any time and is also a visual that other students will need to wait. Some teachers will use sign language so that students can ask to use the restroom discreetly. This offers another way for students to ask discreetly. They can hold up their pass that is stored in their desk to receive permission. {Free download below}
Hopefully these ideas from creative teachers will help give you a system or spark and idea that may work for you. Thanks creative teachers – your ideas will make many many classrooms run smoother! Feel free to grab the “I’m a Featured Teach Junkie” blog button as your creations are definitely worth the shout out.
More Classroom Management
- Teaching Tips for Pencil Management
- Back to School Lunch Procedures
- Positive Behavior and Procedures in the Classroom
- Partner Picking Made Easy
- Classroom Management: Developing Community and Character
Leslie {aka the original Teach Junkie} loves learning new things to make teaching easier and more effective. She enjoys featuring creative classroom fun when she's not designing teacher shirts, making kindergarten lesson plans or planning her family's next trip to Disney World.