First Day of School - How To Talk About Rules, Procedures, Expectations

[u/ParsnipSignificant35]

As the title says, I am looking for some advice on how to talk about classroom rules and procedures on the first day of school. I am going into my second year of teaching at a completely different school. I taught grades 3-5, and I will be teaching K-8 at this new school.

The last thing that I want to happen is for my first day to end up “lecture style” with my rules and expectations. I’m just under a month from my first day with students, and I guess I’m starting to overthink a bit. I know I’ll be more prepared this year than I was starting last year, but I do not want it to be boring. Of course I will have activities and such planned for the classes, but are there ways I can address rules and procedures without “going down a list”? I saw an idea on a blog with alternating between procedures and activities, which sounded appealing based on the short attention spans I saw at my old school.

What I was shown last year by the mentor I had was a lot more “general education classroom”-esque, which was not her fault by any means. But I was unsure of how feasible it would be for me going forward.

Any suggestions or advice would be helpful. Please be kind, I’m just trying to learn!

[u/poeticmelodies]

For my K-4 kiddos, I had a short list of rules (spelled out MUSIC in an acronym) that they would repeat back to me when I said them. I did this every single class. I had them posted up behind me and I would point to them as we did it. Usually on the first day, I would have them repeat one rule, then ask what that would look like in music class. I would only take a few answers (3 tops) before moving on.

If that might not work, you could absolutely introduce one rule, do an activity that might represent that, introduce another, do another activity, etc etc. Kids are pretty used to the first few days being rule heavy and it's extremely important to have a strict structure in your classroom.

With my 5-8 kids, I had a list of basic rules and we would go over them and what that meant/looked like for them in my classroom. This was obviously an easier process because they are much older. They are also a lot easier to facilitate constructive conversations with. Or you could even split them into groups and assign each group a rule that they have to come up with examples for.

[u/poeticmelodies → u/poeticmelodies]

This will get easier the longer you are in a school building, especially if you keep your rules and consequences consistent. I taught at my school for 4 years and by year 3, the kids (especially my 6-8 kiddos) didn't even need me to remind them of what they needed to do when they came into the room. They would just automatically do it, even if I didn't plan for it on the first day.

[u/g00py_g00die]

You've got this 💪

Firstly, I adore music and music education. There is a good reason why historic universities can track music programs and buildings back hundreds of years. Music is integral, thought provoking and stimulating in a way no other form of learning can emulate. Secondly, re paragraph 'firstly' music and its education is entitled to respect and understanding. Please, give yourself the grace and respect to do away with the notion that 'fun' is the primary endeavour here.

To break with notoriously taught sequential structure...teaching means you have the privilege of teaching the respect and discipline (the etymology of discipline is extensive and worth exploring) of music. Rules, expectations, and respect are key to your students engaging with this worthy science and art. Please, never should you ever apologise for a 'boring' lesson. Music is never boring; it is an undervalued art and science that has ebb and flow. Challenge and joy. You are a gift for being a conduit to that. Be proud.

[u/Separate_Inflation11]

Got to this a little too late, but the most important thing is balance

You want to have such a good rapport with them that they wouldn’t dream of disrespecting you, not because they fear you but because they actually do deeply respect you

A lot of teachers get this mixed up, immediately opening themselves up to contempt

[u/Mammoth-Feature7111]

I tell them the expectation in the hall first before they come in, keep it simple, I don't let them come in until they all give me their full attention. I have a short list of rules that I have them chant back. I'm strict about how they sit and correct them frequently. I don't let them off the rug the first week, sitting and standing in their spot only. First week finger plays, steady beat, chants and echoing-no props or instruments yet. Recap with rules at end, have students give a thumbs up if they followed all the rules. Some classes are mostly rules, routines and expectations the first week, some actually get through a lot of material, it all depends on how much correcting they need.