By Alusine Fullah
Yes, some will say that it does not until the teacher gets all the students in their seats, with the materials prepared, and starts explaining the opening of the session. But actually, the class starts at the moment when the students/ pupils and the teacher are entering the classroom. The first few minutes of the class can influence the whole course of the session and often determine its success.
Every classroom should have an entry routine designed to make the most of the learning time, but also reinforce the behaviour expectations for the students since the beginning and of course keep building the relationship among the tutor and the pupils.
There are many ways on how to start your class session. I still remember when I was teaching at St. Theresa Primary School Upgun. I was opportune or privileged to teach all the classes (from nursery to class six). During my service, I use the concept of threshold. I used to meet students/ pupils at the door and greeted them with hands shake. I used that as my class routine because I knew it could reinforce positive expectations before my pupils entered the class.
As a teacher, be the first to enter the classroom. When it is the students who are in the classroom and the teacher is the one who comes to it, there is no threshold as such. This can be implemented in cases where the teacher is the first to enter at the classroom and the pupils are the ones who arrive later. Don’t be too proud to meet and greet students. A good teacher does not have ego to meet and greet his/her pupils. It can simply be a general greeting to the class that signals to the students/ pupils the beginning or standing up and move a little to catch the pupils’ attention. Sometimes even a broad smile can be a positive start for your pupils. Smile to them!
Greet students in a welcoming way, conveying love and acknowledgement. I used to acknowledge my pupils before the lesson started. For instance: I love your hairstyle Aminata. You look very great today. Amara, you did very well in yesterday’s test. Keep is it up my super Amara. Alima I love you voice. I noticed that when you were asked to sing the second stanza of our national anthem. You are good singer!
Yes, I know you probably won’t have the time to acknowledge all your pupils/ students, but you can select a few each day. You have shook hands with them. You have acknowledged them for a job well done on their academic performance. Now, the next step is for to start proper business.
You are longer on the playground or in the street and from now on you expect them to behave in classroom. The next step now is to engage them academically. Tell now that we are now in class and it is time for learning. To make it effective, you can give them five minutes classwork.
Classroom routines are very key for effective classroom/ lesson start. Put simple, establishing stress-free classroom routines is necessary for the smooth functioning and orderliness of any classroom, especially on the first day of school and throughout the initial weeks of school. The teacher must allocate ample time explaining and demonstrating the routines and procedures, with clear instructions on following them. Once implemented, they help children navigate physical and online learning activities with ease and instil confidence in them.
