Here is another question that was sent in by one of our readers. The reader wanted to know: What is the least and most efficient classroom procedure that you have used? I receive questions like this from time to time, and for some, I send a direct reply, and for others, I write a blog post about it. In this case, of course I am choosing the latter. So, let’s dive right into my answer.

This is a very hard question for me to answer. Why? Because I have been out of the classroom for 12 years, and although I have fond memories of my time in the classroom and all the people I worked with, it just seems like a lifetime ago.

When it comes to my least efficient classroom procedure, it would be one of my group procedures. You see, I purchased a stoplight that flashed 1. green when the noise level in the classroom was within an acceptable level; 2. yellow when the noise level in the classroom was approaching an unacceptable level; and 3. flashed red when the noise level had eclipsed an acceptable level.

The problem was that the device was buggy and glitchy and was prone to false positives and false negatives. Overall, the device was a piece of junk and made group work a classroom management nightmare. This is what made my students struggle with regulating their noise level during group work. However, it was an easy fix, as I modified the procedure by policing the noise level verbally.

As far as my most efficient classroom procedure, it would be class dismissal. At the end of each class, I dismissed students by rows. I would put up one finger for row 1, two fingers for row two, etc. The procedure created an orderly classroom dismissal and prevented the possibility of students bumping into each other as they scrambled for the door. This procedure worked well because, despite what they say, students love rules and procedures. It makes them feel safe and secure.

I hope my answer helps some people think about classroom procedures and how to use them efficiently. Sometimes, a procedure that you think is going to work, ends in disaster. Sometimes that classroom procedure just needs a few weeks and sometimes you need to reflect on what went wrong and go back to the drawing board. On other occasions, you get it right the first time and all is well.

Well, thanks for reading. If you want to tell us about the least and most efficient classroom procedures that you have used in the classroom, leave your response in the comments section below.