What to do when your classroom routines aren’t working anymore — resetting expectations without starting completely over.

This time of year can be a bit hard. The honeymoon is over, and students are comfortable. They are starting to hit some of your pain points, and you realize that your expectations need a reset. I know that this personally happened to me last week. Students were testing me throughout the day and by the end I was at my wit's end. I had to step back and look again at everything. 

Here's what I did to get us back on track.

First, we revisited our expectations. I went over the rules and what I expect of the students.

Next, I tightened up my consequences. I reminded myself that I cannot let students break my expectations without consequences. If so, the expectations might as well be thrown out the door. 

And...I spoke with students and parents so expectations could be reinforced at home.

Expectations are definitely important and when they fall apart, you need to stop and get them on track. It will save your sanity and make your teaching time more effective.