Optimizing Classroom Systems for Time Management in a FACS Classroom
You know the feeling, when you classroom seems choatic and out of control. Your well-planned activity goes awry. And students seem to think they run the show.
Creating strong classroom systems in a Family and Consumer Sciences classroom can make even the toughtest of classes have structure and routine.
Creating systems based on time is one way to keep students engaged and aware of expectations. It doesn’t allow for students to left with much free time.
What are classroom systems?
Classroom systems support the day-to-day operations in a classroom.
Likely, there are similar routines you and your students complete each and every day. The most consistent this is for students, the easier it is for students to operate through routine without you needing to play “whack-a-mole” for behaviors.
Systems can work for every aspect of the classroom. If you have spent any time teaching in an elementary classroom, you have spent a great deal of time at the beginning of the year teaching routines and procedures.
The same thing goes for junior high and high school. In fact, older students still love consistency.
Establishing classroom systems
One of the easiest ways to think about systems of operation in your Family and Consumer Sciences classroom, is to think about “what it should look like and what it should sound like”.
Explicitly teaching these routines takes the guesswork out of the system for students. The more clear you can make this, the better.
Keep in mind, students are visiting multiple classes each day. Each teacher runs their classroom on a different set of expectations, rules, and routine.
Should secondary students know how to behavior? ABSOLUTEY! Does that mean they always will? Not a chance.
Establishing classroom systems can be done at the beginning of the semtester. Explain the why behind the expectation and hold firm to it.
Time management is one of the strongest pieces for a series of strong classroom systems.
Students don’t always have a strong sense of time…or elapsed time to complete tasks. Creating a strong time-management classroom foundation will begin to strengthen your classroom managment.
Time management systems
Here are four easy to implement classroom systems you could start from day 1.
1. Classroom timers
This system of operation comes from my elementary years. My classroom runs on timers. A timer goes off 2 minutes before the bell rings and it is not until that timer can students start packing up.
I do not understand why students need to stand to put on a backpack to be ready for the bell, but they do. Have you noticed that?
Students in my building have 4 minute passing periods, which is more than enough time to get across the building. However, through feedback from students, they get anxious when teachers don’t allow them time to put away their supplies.
I can afford to give students 2 minutes to pack up at the end of class, which also allows me a chance to make sure I have my projector screen ready for the next hour, glance at email, etc.
Students are aware from the first day, they may not pack up early and must wait for the end of class timer.
2. Bell to bell
Another time management technique is teaching bell-to-bell. Students know they must be seated, in their assigned seat (even if they get free range to choose their seat) when the bell rings. I begin taking attendance within the first 2 minutes of class.
In case you missed it, you can ready more about how I use attendance questions here.
On the opposite end, I try to make sure teach or provide work time through the end of class. If there is more time than expected, students will complete an exit ticket- due at the end of the hour to help fill the time.
An exit ticket to fill the time could include, 3-2-1: 3 things you learned today, 2 things you were left wondering and 1 thing you would like to learn more about from today’s lesson.
I don’t love assigning homework, but in order for that to happen, students know they must use their class time wisely to get work finished.
3. Activity timers
Making a flip book where students cut and staple? Set a 5 minute timer.
Painting and creating during the interior design project? Set a timer 6 minutes before.
Getting ready to cook and worried about time? Set a digital countdown timer.
Project timers are automatically added to my phone. I wear an Apple watch and can turn off the timer from my watch.
Visual timers are great for students when completing a task. YouTube can provide a visual timer to create a sense of urgency for students.
Part of my daily directions for projects, such as the interior design shoebox project is letting students know there is a timer 6 minutes before the bell. No one leaves if the room is a mess and no late passes will be written. There is a sense of urgency to clean up.
4. Count tardies
A few years back a student knew exactly when the bell was going to ring. I knew what time the bell would ring, but not to the second. She showed me an Apple watch face included seconds and now that’s the face I always use.
Students who pass me in the hall know I can tell them about how much time is left before the tardy bell. And if you are coming to my class, that isn’t entering the classroom, it’s seated in your assigned seat.
I have no problem counting tardies. I even say “T’em up!” in the hallway, but then I follow it up with being glad to see them. Create a sense of urgency to get them in their seats!
It makes it so much easier for students to know when the tardy bell rings, my door is closing, and I’m announcing the attendance question.
Elective classes can have a tendency to be more relaxed. There isn’t a need to prepare for standardized tests. Time can be less structured.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Taking the time to create a game plan for time management operations for your FACS classroom in the fall is a great way to set yourself and your students up for success.
Before school starts back in the fall, create a list of time management headaches you want to eliminate. What should it “look like and sound like”? Clearly writing out how you want it to happen will make it easier to share those expectations with your students. Set them up for success and stick to the system!