The rules and routines used in a school set up are a vital part of the school proceedings. The article “Set Up Rules and Routines; Give Yourself More Time To Teach,” describes the importance of rules and routines. According to the article, rules and routines are highly influential in the management of class. They are crucial in ensuring that the class is well managed and, therefore, allow more time for the teacher to focus on academics. According to the article, there are several ideas that can be used for the reinforcement and establishment of school rules and routines.
Rules refer to a set of instructional activities that can be demonstrated to the student and reinforced using certain mechanisms to ensure the smooth running of the class. Students who are in elementary school can have rules and routines reinforced through word of mouth loudly (Weinstein & Mignano, 1993). The other levels of school can be reinforced through privately and quietly. The article provides several procedures that can be used to set up rules. These includes; class involvement in making the rules, the rules should be made easy and short to comprehend, the rules should be phrased in a manner that is positive and rules which do not work should be changed. Additionally, the class should constantly be reminded about the rules, not only during misbehavior.
Rules are categorized according to the level of study of the individual. Students in elementary school have basic and clear rules such as; work quietly and be polite. Students in middle school have more general rules than those in elementary school. These include; raise hands to talk and enter class quietly. Rules at the high school level are more complex than those in elementary and middle school.
Routines, on the other hand, refers to certain activities and characters that are inculcated in the student’s learning process and are necessary for the provision of efficient and uninterrupted operations in the class. The importance of implementing routines is to ensure that time is saved for other academic purposes. Routines allow students to become responsible, and self-disciplined and can, therefore, focus on more academic activities than discipline cases.
There are several situations that are advised to be taught for an efficient teaching and learning process. These routines include; the passing of papers, pencil sharpening, leaving for the restrooms, completion of assignments, getting books and other supplies and attendance taking. There are administrative procedures that can be implemented among the learners. These procedures include the activities undertaken when the students are late, give excuse or even leave class early (Emmer, Evertson, & Worsham, 2009).
These processes are crucial within the class set up as well as the entire school. By having the appropriate rules, law and order can be maintained within the school premises. Proper discipline in turn allows for the academic staff to focus on more academic activities that are beneficial to the entire academic fraternity. Rules create a conducive environment that everyone is comfortable. Routines, on the other hand, help develop a student’s sense of responsibility and develop the means through which tasks are carried out. It encourages students to develop a sense of self awareness and what is required of them both in the school set up and outside school. It is through routines that the class develops a culture of carrying out its activities unsupervised and with a high efficiency (Brophy, 1983).
Conclusively, a school that implements its set rule and routines are destined for success unlike a school that neglects the basic rules and routines. It is, therefore, an important factor that all school administrators need to consider in order to ensure that there is order and sanity within the school system to allow for optimal student performance.