Resetting the Classroom Culture
At E4E we always say that if you don’t curate your classroom culture, culture will happen to you. You will look up and wonder how your classroom culture got so far away from what you were hoping for. The good news is that it is not too late! You can still cultivate a healthy thriving classroom culture, even if you are halfway through the school year. Here are three steps to reset your classroom culture.
#1 Create a new classroom culture plan
Having a plan is essential when you decide that you need a culture reset. Sit down and write (or type) a plan that includes the following:
A vision for what you want for your classroom
Ex: I want a classroom that is rigorous, yet warm and family-like. I want it to be organized, orderly, and for students to be clear about what is expected of them and how to succeed.
A list of the things that you want to keep in place
Ex: I want to keep playing music when the students enter the room. I want to keep the materials and supplies at each table and I want to keep the desks in groups, not put them in rows.
A list of the things that must change
Ex: I will stop letting students choose where they sit. I will stop assuming that they know what they should do.
A list of new systems, procedures, structures, etc. that you will put in place
Ex: I will greet students at the door. I will require students to submit their homework at the beginning of the class. I will ask students to raise their hands to speak. I will put a conflict resolution process in place.
A schedule for implementing the changes
November 1: I will implement the new seating chart.
November 7: I will create the homework box and place it at the door
November 15: I will begin greeting students at the door.
Click HERE for a FREE Classroom Reset Worksheet to help you get started.
#2 Declare that there will be a reset in classroom culture.
Next, you must, in front of your students, acknowledge that there is a problem. Share what you have observed, take responsibility for your part in the dysfunction, and tell them what your hopes were when the year began. Allow them to express what their hopes were and what they want to be different, even if it means that they have a critique of you and your leadership. This is a must to ensure that there is a clear break from the old way. Once you have finished unpacking and reflecting on the old way, share with them what will be changing. Share your Classroom Reset and give them a chance to ask questions. Remind students before you make the changes, that they are coming. For example, as students are packing up to leave, say: Just a reminder that tomorrow you will be placing your homework in the homework box that will be at the door. Make sure you take it out of your bag before you head to class.
#3 Reset the physical space
Before you launch your classroom culture reset, change the physical space as much as you can. For example, take down what’s on the walls and put up new visuals, change the seating arrangement, etc. This will help the students to make the mental transition when they return to class. Welcome them into the new class environment and review the changes that will be implemented that day.
Final thoughts…
Following these steps will help you to have a healthy transition. Keep in mind that this process will not be smooth. Change can be difficult. Be patient with yourself and your students. Here are some tips to making it less painful:
Forgive yourself if you forget to implement something. Remember this is new for you too! Don’t be afraid to admit to your students that you forget to do something but that you will do it next time.
Add extra time to your agenda for adjustments. The first few days that you implement the homework collection box, for example, it may take longer to get started. That is ok. Once you and the students are used to it as a system, it will be much faster.
You may have to purchase things to implement a new strategy or system. Put those things further out in your implementation plan.
Make sure that you are fully prepared to roll out a new strategy. For example, don’t implement the homework box if you don’t have the box yet or a space to put it.
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