1. Foster Student Buy-In
I do this with a class discussion of – “What should our classroom be…?” I record as students give ideas, adding a picture (remember that this was in August and our 1st grade friends don’t read yet). Using our class brainstorm, I’m able to ask – If this is what our classroom should be, how will we make it happen?
Stemming from this conversation, we are able to agree that in order for our classroom to be neat, ready to learn in, and clean we must all do our part. Student buy-in is critical. Without it, you’ll find yourself nagging and reminding – resenting the whole process.
2. Model Explicitly
Our students all come from different backgrounds and homes, so it’s important to show students exactly what the classroom should look like and a reason behind it. A reason is critical because it provides context for students and helps them make it a priority.
We place clipboards back-to-back, so all 24 fit into the tub. That way when we go to Work on Writing, we don’t have to worry about tripping. We keep the things in our desks stacked neatly, so we don’t have to waste learning time searching for our things.
Our students are amazing human beings and love rising to a challenge.
3. Build the Routine
Although I truly believe students should be responsible for some/most of the straightening in the classroom, I also don’t believe this responsibility should take away from academic learning.I would never want students to miss core learning to sharpen pencils. So, a part of keeping an organized classroom is building the habits and jobs into the daily schedule of the classroom. Just like Angela says in the 40 Hour Work Week, you maximize those “spare” moments in the classroom. Transition times are a fabulous way to channel non-learning time into something productive. (Read more about my classroom organization systems here.)
In our classroom, students fulfill their role after our End of Day Reflection. Students bring their reflection sheet for me to check, pack their backpack, put their backpack on the carpet, and complete their responsibility before partner reading. In these 3-4 minutes before we load the buses, my 1st graders each assume a small role in getting our classroom ready for the next day. This allows me to use my after-school time for planning lessons, making positive phone calls home, and reading writing journals.
4. Release the Power
Now that students feel that keeping a tidy classroom is important, have a model for keeping the classroom organized, and know the routine – it’s time to decide what jobs to release to the students.
Jobs that I release include – straightening clipboards, collecting read-the-room cards, hanging lunch tags in cubbies, returning all behavior clips to green, watering our class plants, stacking classroom technology, straightening our classroom bookshelf, organizing classroom book bins, placing our classroom mailbox slots back in their places, turning off the SMART Board and projector, closing the window, straightening the learning nook in the hallway, picking up trash off of the floor, stacking stools, collecting and setting-out new pencils.
In terms of accomplishing all that needs to be done you have 3 main options – (1) Informally ask students to complete the jobs – different students completing different jobs each day (2) Assign students to certain areas of the classroom (3) Have students apply for the jobs that most interest them.
I use a combination of all three. For the jobs that require extended training (stacking technology, watering the plants, collecting read-the-room cards) students are hired for these positions. (Snag a free classroom job application here.) They are welcome to ask a friend to help them, but I do expect the hire-e to assume the leadership position in the relationship. The other jobs I let students naturally fill but most of the time students find one job and make it their niche. Amy always stacks the stools, Sanders picks up trash off the floor, etc.
5. Get Rid of the Pencils
If there is any procedure that causes me to take deep breaths and want to jump out of my skin, it’s pencil sharpening. It’s loud, takes forever, always happens during guided reading, and it is really my least favorite part of 1st grade. So, to alleviate this stressor, when students have broken or dull pencils they put them tip-down. Then, students grab a new pencil from our drawer. Each Friday I rubber band the pencils and send them home (and a pencil sharpener) with a student.
And like MAGIC they come back sharpened – voila! #winning
This routine alone makes my life so much happier. But friends, Rule #5 is my rule. Just like Ron Clark’s Dorito Rule, you need to pick a #5. What is the one routine/procedure/issue/thing in the classroom that makes you count to 10 and take deep breaths. Whatever it is, find a way to outsource it or build a procedure around that item.
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So, friends – are these routines that you’ve built into your daily schedule? If not, how are you planning on giving students more responsibility in caring for the classroom? What’s your Rule #5? I’d love to hear your feedback and ideas!
For other time-saving tricks and tips to save you time and help you maximize your time in the classroom, check out Angela Watson’s 40 Hour Work Week!
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I love having students apply for jobs at the beginning of the year! I would love to start incorporating a 3-4 minute time at the end of the day for students to do their job like you do… going to try that when we go back tomorrow!
Love student jobs…I am more in love with you 'Job Application' form (the jobs that require a bit more training). Jumped over and read your post on student reflections.
Thank you,
Kelly
http://www.learningintwolanguages.com
your
Oh my gosh, I love your pencil sharpening routine!! I'm sure the child loves to be in charge of sharpening the class' pencils! Brilliant! Thanks for the great organization reminders!
Pencils drive me crazy too! I have a broken pencils and a sharpened pencils cup, then I have an older student come in and sharpen them before school. One less thing I have to worry about!
You are my organizing hero! Pencil sharpening drives me crazy…I love the idea of doing it just once a week (and outsourcing the labor to a student!). I totally agree with having students apply for a classroom job. I was always forgetting to change my helpers, so I do it just once a quarter. Plus the students are really able to "specialize" their skills. Love your blog!
Julie
TheHipTeacher
I have decided this year that we don’t have jobs. We all pick up after each other. I have so many students that love to help clean up and love to choose a friend to help them. The only thing that is assigned is door holder. Every student has a number-assigned according to their last name (ABC order) so they line up that way the only time we don’t use number order is on the way to music/pe.
We are a Leader in Me campus. We all have jobs. Ha! But some are everyone’s jobs – like keeping the room clean, lunch table clean, picking up at the end of the day, chair stacking. I have messenger, line leader, caboose, door holder, librarian, mathematician, big book holder, calendar helper, restroom monitor, water fountain helper/monitor, adding nurse next year to give out band-aids or help with that. They love having jobs and cheer when it is time to change jobs.
Pencil sharpening is the thing I hate the most too!! I might have to try out your idea. Do you send home your electric sharpener? Do you send a letter home asking for volunteers?
Also, I purchased your first grade math stations, and I’m going to work on getting them together over break these next few days. Love your blog!
Hi Julie! This is so bad, but I actually don’t send home a letter. I teach my students how to do it, and ask they work on it over the weekend. It’s probably a risky strategy, but I’ve had good luck with it – ha!
I trade pencils once or twice a week for this past year. It worked wonderfully. I love your idea of sending pencils home over the weekend. In fact, great idea! I give students 2 pencils at the beginning of the week, and maybe on Thursday I call them to trade pencils by table groups. If they have special pencils, I sharpen at the manual sharpener. I don’t want to ruin my good sharpener. Ha!
Thanks for all you do!
In my classroom, I use the infamous “Magic Scrap.” I tell the kids that I have a Magic Scrap in mind, and whoever finds it is declared the winner and gets a small reward. The magic scrap is ANYTHING that is not in its place and is laying on the floor. It could be a pencil, an eraser, a piece of yarn, etc. My classroom floor has never looked so clean!
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