I got to teach two extra weeks’ worth of material to my students without working a single extra day. Here’s my secret!
One morning I walked out to bring my students into the classroom. They were chatting away in line as usual, some with their backs to me, others clumped in groups. Most standing placidly, not thinking about anything in particular. On a whim, I suddenly called out in a commanding voice, “Soldierrrrr straight!” while slapping my arms against my sides, standing tall and proud. I said it with the sing song call and response tone that made everyone impulsively repeat it in the same manner, copying my words and my actions. Suddenly, I had 29 still, silent, serious, and focused students.
I looked at the students, pleasantly surprised, and they stifled smiles, trying to look serious as they stood erect and at attention.
I sly smile crept across my face and I ducked my head down as if to tell a secret and whispered loudly, “AWEEESOMMMEEE. NOW LET’S SEE IF WE CAN GO IN THE CLASSROOM LIKE WE’RE SOLDIERS– QUIETLY AND IN FORMATION!”
They marched in like we’d been practicing this for weeks, sat in their seats, and even managed to fold their hands on their tables as if I’d asked for it. I hadn’t. They were all ears, ready for the next thing.
In my head: AWEEEESOMMMEEEE. WE ARE ALWAYS DOING THIS.
And we did. From that day on, I made it a new routine to greet the students, follow up with “Soldiierrr straight!” They would line up like a little army, quiet and at attention. I’d give them instructions for what to do as soon as they entered the classroom, and then we’d walk in, and they’d get started. Somehow, it never got old.
Why bother? So glad you asked. I have a few reasons:
- It helps them reset. They’re usually coming in from recess when I get them. Some are thinking about the last spat they just had with their friend, while others are replaying their awesome soccer moves on the field. Most of them are not thinking about academics, so this is a nice way to reset their brains and get them in academics mode again before we enter the classroom.
- It’s fun. It’s fun for me to wield that little bit of commander power, and it’s fun for them to pretend they are my little army. Kids enjoy seeing that, as a mass of people, they can do something organized and neat and cool like that.
- It buys you a lot of instructional time! As a teacher who likes to squeeze the most out of every instructional minute, this is the most compelling reason to me. This simple exercise prepares students to come in and get started on work right away. Instead of having them amble in, find their way to their seats, get them to quiet down and then give them instructions, I train them to walk in and start. After I have their attention in line, I say, “When you walk in the classroom, drop off your homework in the bin and then start your morning work. There shouldn’t be any talking– just take it out and start right away.” Students know exactly what to do. They drop off their homework as they enter, take out their morning work, and get started. Early in the year I use raffle tickets to train them and make this habitual. Eventually they just know the routine and get started. There’s no side chit chatting, dilly-dallying, “What are we doing now??” or repeating instructions. It literally gives you back 5 minutes of instructional time. Do this after early morning recess, after mid-morning recess, and after lunch, and that’s a savings of:
15 minutes a day x 180 days a year = 2,700 instructional minutes.
Which comes out to about 45 hours, which is nearly TWO INSTRUCTIONAL WEEKS (once you take out lunch, recesses, P.E., library, assemblies, etc.)!
…I KNOW RIGHT??
By the end of that first year, I found ways to save even more time. I usually have a Star Student each week who gets special privileges, including a special show-and-tell at the end of the week. This student also got to be the line leader for the week. With this new procedure, I made it so that the Star Student knew to watch for me when the students lined up at the end of recess. As soon as they saw me approaching, they would be the ones to call out, “Soldier straight!!” and the rest of the class would follow suit. This way, when I walked up to greet my students, they were already ready, focused, and at attention. After I gave instructions, the Star Student got to pick the straightest, quietest line to enter the classroom first. The kids loved having this little bit of power, and, to my surprise, even the shyest students loved doing this.
It’s a simple thing– two little words. Yet it adds a fun and time-saving twist to an otherwise useless, lifeless daily routine. See if your kids enjoy getting soldier straight!
10 responses to “How to Gain Two More Weeks of School (Without Working a Single Extra Day!)”
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I loooove it! I’ve decided that you are a genius… I’m not a teacher, just a mom of 7 kids under 12, but I love reading about your thoughts & ideas/ideals.
Reading this makes me want to pass it on to my kids’ teachers- or do you think that’s inappropriate? (As if to day they don’t have things under control?) I adore them, & have had several of my monkeys duplicate teachers (love, love, love!) but I don’t want to seem offensive. Thoughts?
Thank you for yet another excellent post!!!!!
Mom of seven!!! WOW!!!
I would think that if you passed it along with the same sentiments you shared here– you adore them and don’t want to seem offensive, just seemed like a fun idea or something– they wouldn’t mind! The best teachers I know are always happy to learn new things.
Thanks for sharing :D.
Ohhhh, I like that idea! I can so very much see my Kinder, 1st & 2nd graders LOVING this! I think I will pass this on with your advice. My kids have been blessed with incredible teachers, and I’d be beyond thrilled if I could share your post with them and help their mornings get focused ‘that much’ faster!!!! Thank you for your fast reply, and again for this seriously adorable, time/learning enhancer!
I’ve had this running through my mind all day… I think I’m going to try this with my kids when we do our Saturday chores, too!
Gosh I’m glad my FIL sent me your “apology” post months ago!!!!! (Changed my life)
😀 So glad you found it helpful! Hope it works well! I am also thrilled to hear that the apologies have been working well for your family!!! 😀 Means a lot to me, so thanks for sharing that :).
And I thought line tag was brilliant? 😉 I always wondered how you started this. Thanks for sharing! I will totally try this when I return to teaching.
It IS brilliant!! =D Thanks, Rachel :]. I wanted to pick your brain on some things, too– will PM ya!
Children (at least all the was through grade school – that’s my experience) are so easy to lead if you just have FUN! It’s in the voice and body language – they are experts at reading both, so don;t try to con them. Find YOUR fun and let them join. Figure out THEIR fun and set it up for them. It’s all good.
Thank you for your positive motivational sharing!
It’s totally true! If you’re having fun with it, they will totally catch that and have fun, too!! Agreed!
It’s always so interesting to read about your methods in the classroom… I always learn something even though I’m not teaching! If I ever end up homeschooling, just thinking about the idea of creating habits will help tremendously. 🙂
I’m so glad you still find them interesting! If you do homeschool, I can’t wait to hear about those adventures!