With everything that needs to get done, most teachers would agree that there are not enough instructional hours in the school day. Since every second counts, it is important to not waste any time. One of the best ways to do this is by maximizing learning time by quickening classroom transitions. Check out 5 fun strategies for managing classroom transitions below!
5 Strategies for Managing Classroom Transitions
Below are 5 tips and strategies for managing classroom transitions.
1. Establish Clear Expectations and Routines
The first strategy for smoothening and quickening classroom transitions is to establish clear expectations, procedures and routines. Establishing very clear expectations and routines from the very first day on is incredibly important. Think about the following questions: What does it look like for students to transition quickly and quietly? How long should it take to transition from one activity to the next? When will students transition throughout the day?
2. Set Class Goals
The second strategy for smoothening and quickening classroom transitions is to set class goals. Goal setting is such a valuable skill for elementary students. At the beginning of the school year, set a goal for how quickly your class can transition and have them work towards it. These goal setting videos would be a nice complement.
3. Utilize a Timer
The third strategy for smoothening and quickening classroom transitions is to use a timer. Pick one transition at a time to focus on. Perhaps you want them to improve on lining up for lunch. Maybe you are finding you are losing valuable writer’s workshop time because the students are taking too long to get their writing supplies and start writing. Whichever transition you select is the one you will stick with for a few days. Without drawing attention to what you are doing, time how long it takes the students to transition. Record the time where they can see it.
At a later time (such as during a class meeting) explain the problem and how you are going to work as a team to solve it. If you’ve been teaching your students about a growth mindset you could tie in the benefits of goal setting to your work in that area. Tell them how long it took them to transition and set an initial goal of beating that time.
The next time that transition occurs get their attention and review the procedures. Remind them not to run and to always work as a team. Start the timer and tell them to transition. When they have successfully transitioned from point A to point B I stop the timer and record the time. Discuss how the transition went. Talk about what was done well and address any areas to be improved further.
4. Introduce Incentives
The fourth strategy for smoothening and quickening classroom transitions is to introduce incentives. Keep track of how long a particular transition takes per day and encourage your students to strive to beat their best time. If they beat their best time, the class can earn a reward or some sort of incentive. If they don’t beat the time, just focus on how to improve. Once they show improvement in a specific transition, target another using the same process.
5. Use a Chime or Bell
The last strategy for smoothening and quickening classroom transitions is to use a chime or bell. Wind chimes are the perfect signal for alerting your students that it is time to clean up an activity and transition to the next. Upon touching the chimes, the procedure is to become silent, put away whatever was being worked on and quickly transition to the group area. This strategy can also be used with a bell.
In closing, we hope you found this post about classroom transitions helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in this classroom management bundle, as well as these posts:
- Classroom Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers
- Back to School Read Alouds for 1st-5th Teachers
- Behavior Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers
