2.

BEING PUNCTUAL

2.1 Being punctual

Teachers should try to model the behaviour they expect from their students. You
should aim to be in the classroom 2-3 minutes before the class is due to start, and
be at the door to welcome your students with a smile as they come into class.

2.2 Starting class

Proactive classroom control begins with setting the tenor in your room in the first few
minutes …. If you miss the opportunity for a smooth, controlled start, you will spend
more of your time trying to calm things down and regain control. (Discipline by Design –
The Honor Level System)

It is a good idea to set up a routine with your students (adults or young learners)
whereby they have a daily start-up activity which can be done individually or in
pairs. This should be an activity which provides practice in skills the students
already know and requires no instruction and very little explanation. It could be
something as simple as comparing their homework, reviewing the previous class
individually and in silence or preparing for a 2-minute spelling test. As the rest of
your students arrive over the course of several minutes, they see that their
classmates are already working and, because this routine is well-established, they
will do the same. Thus, when you are ready to start class, you are not having to
bring the class “to order” and battling to get the attention of students who are
chatting and “waiting” for the class to begin.

Your classes should always start on time, even if only one or two students have
shown up punctually. This indicates to the latecomers that their tardiness is
unacceptable and that they will miss out if they don’t come to class on time. Do not
interrupt what you are saying/doing for latecomers, but do acknowledge them with
a nod or a smile. With younger learners in schools, there may be official policies on
coming late to class, which you will be expected to enforce.

2.3 Finishing class

Similarly, you should always end your class on time out of respect for your
students and any teacher or class that may be following you.
Make sure to stop any activity, even if students haven’t finished, so that you allow
time to “end” the class – to reflect on what has been learnt, to assign homework,
and to answer any questions or doubts your students may have. A well-prepared
teacher will even allow a few minutes at the end of each period, enlisting the help
of your students where necessary, to get things ready for the next class. For
example, make sure that any chairs/desks that have been moved are put back in
place, your whiteboard has been cleaned and you have your materials for the next
class ready to hand.

As your students leave, you should again be standing at the door to wish them a
warm farewell and remind them of any work that is due.