There is a simple way to improve classroom culture that works fast but actually moves the needle. To be clear, by improving culture, I’m referring to raising levels of . . .
Respect
Politeness
Empathy
Responsibility
Work Habits
The strategy I’m going to share with you also creates a greater sense of teamwork and community.
It’s not a miracle and won’t by itself transform your class from chaos to the calm of a Kansas wheat field. But it’s guaranteed to make a considerable difference. That is, if you’re not already doing it.
As a side note, it’s been shown to work in neighborhoods to reduce crime and to improve clarity and focus within office work environments. So what is it?
It’s neatness.
It’s to create and then have your students maintain an impeccable learning environment. Practically, this involves two areas. The first is their own work space, whether a desk or portion of a table where they keep their materials.
It must be perfect.
Backpacks in the same spot, aligned and hanging in the same way. Desk or table clean of dirt and erasure marks. The floor picked up. Every tool kept in the same and proper spot for easy retrieval.
The second area is the classroom as a whole. You must model, expect, and demand that everything be stored and returned to a specific and correct location. Every post-lesson activity needs to be spruced up and the room restored to its previous and well-organized state.
Your students alone must do this. You are only the supervisor—except in the case of your own desk and work area, which should be an exemplar of neatness.
Maintaining an immaculate classroom must be taught.
Therefore, you must have a clear vision for what it should look like. Take photos if it helps, but you need to know when the room is and isn’t right.
Now, inevitably there will be naysayers who will claim that you’re not allowed to ask students to clean up. That it’s not their job. That it’s pedantic, authoritarian, petty, etc.
Hogwash. When students make a mess and adults clean up after them the worst kind of message is sent:
You are entitled. And the world revolves around you.
—Which directly results in . . .
Carelessness
Callousness
Incivility
Rudeness
Disrespect
Once you and your class get the hang of maintaining order, it doesn’t take much time or effort.
In fact, the pride gleaned in contributing to the welfare of others feels good and becomes a habit students will hopefully sustain for the rest of their lives.
A tidy, uncluttered environment, especially if you endorse the SCM vision of a Spartan-like appearance in its before and after-school state, also improves attentiveness. It eliminates distraction and will raise your students’ mood just by walking in the door.
It’s counterculture to the common mess we see in our cities and towns.
It communicates that learning is sacred and should be treated with respect. It also tells students in a way they recognize immediately that they’re safe and that someone cares about them—including their friends and classmates.
Doing just a little extra to promote and demand neatness isn’t difficult. It’s a low-hanging discipline that boosts classroom culture and saves time. It just requires your commitment and desire to show your students what excellence looks like.
And that they’re worthy of it.
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Brilliant! I’ve been trying to do this (reasonably successfully) for years. You’ve managed to put the whole ethos of a neat working environment into words, so eloquently.
Love it!!
All true! My Art students have a color coded system for how to collect sketchbooks at the end of class and how to distribute them for the next class. (1 through 5 for each seat, red through purple for each table). The last class of the day puts the 5 “Aday” bins away and takes out the “Bday” sketchbook bins for the next day AND wipes down every table. They think it’s fun. They know they are helping in a meaningful way. They do it quickly. I set a timer on my phone for a 10 min clean up, there’s a 5 timer on the smart board. On painting days we have about 8(!) helpers who manage cleanup and set up for the next class. Students wave their hands to be picked. I (usually) end with a short fun video related to content of the day, then they line up for dismissal. Each student must stand on a fluorescent pink stripe (printed w an art question & taped to the floor, spaced 3 feet apart). I know I’ve been especially successful if I get to sit in a “Mindful Moment” chair by the door for 30 to 60 seconds! 🙂 Thank you, Michael Linsin!
Omygoodness this is fabulous..I’m sharing in my book study group
I had a student early am class that would arrive 15 mins late daily.
When I phoned the parent, the father defended the students behavior because she had a full plate of after school activities and sports .
I explained how disruptive it is to my lesson and how other students observe this behavior and think, “ if she can be late, I will too”
So when parents are condoning lateness and cell phone use , teachers are swimming against the currents.
This is going to be a real challenge for me. I have a brain like a junkstore and I own one…….a junkstore ….and a brain.
I’m glad you brought up the point of tidiness. I agree 💯. It’s magic when there is order and all students are aware of how to keep things neat and simple.
I have ADHD and cant stand to be in a cluttered, messy room. I teach my kindergarten class to clean up by themselves after every activity and then put their heads down to show me they are ready for the next activity, Our room has a lot of things in it but everything has its place. It seems like it helps my students a lot. And we do have a really positive, loving classroom culture where we all show respect to each other and everyone has responsibilities to take care of. I do think it helps a lot.
I agree! I love the idea of taking pictures. This will help to show my second graders of what the areas and desks should look like.
I teach transitional kindergarten. Teaching children to develop habits of nearness and organization are so important to their future academic journey. I do demand complete and total restoration after each play period. I give them 3 minutes to work together, clean and organize calmly and be in their seat. They meet my expectations 85% of the time. The 15% is usually a bin put away without the label facing outward, or a play food vegetable put in the play fruit bin in the dramatic play area, or three tiny crumbs of play dough left on a table. But no matter how small, the infraction noted and immediately corrected by a student. It is amazing to see how much pride they take in being able to put the room back together perfectly after an extended play period. Double the pride when rugs and tables are covered in the learning materials from 24 learners, and the romm is restored in perfect order. Some teachers ask how I get them to clean up so well. And I say, “Because I demand it, and they meet my expectations.”
I have an Engineering space with a lot of tools. And clean-up has been a weakness of mine… I was happy enough to see students working and involved. This year I simply identified the jobs and gave everyone a task and the classroom now cleans itself in less than 10 minutes. It was easy to implement once you identify the tasks that need to be completed. And kids never complain… they may skip their job from time to time and that’s why your role as a supervisor ONLY is so important. Now I need to work on MY DESK space. Thanks Michael for another great idea in the classroom… its nice to know I am heading in the right direction.
Grade 5 x It took me a long time to realize that students didn’t know what it meant to clean/organize their desks. I started “hards on the right, soft s on the left” mantra – which they learn day 1. The hards are binders and the softs are flats – easily stacked, like folders, planner, Chromebook. When you look at the inside of anyone’s desk, everything is found in the same place. I also take a lot of time and explicit directions when putting things away. Yes, there are a few that still struggle, but that’s easy to manage. I also offer desk cleaning lessons at recess. Surprising how quickly they learn… 😉
I tell my 3rd graders that my ADHD won’t allow the messy distractions and that I need them to be “autonomous.” That means not having to be “told what to do.” They are very much aware if there’s a mess under their chair. They step right up and take care of everything, knowing that we won’t be dismissed until everything is clean and tidy before we leave. They take pride in managing themselves and helping other to do the same. My janitor LOVES it:)
What amazes me is that the students (7th grade) love to sweep! They actually fight over it. They don’t have chores at home, don’t or aren’t allowed to clean at home, so having that job in school becomes a reward. Wiping down the tables at the end of class is another job they fight over. Getting to clean at the end of class is now a reward for my more difficult behavior students.