2.0.

Being Punctual
Teachers should try to model the behaviour they expect from their students. You should aim to be
in the classroom 2-3 minutes before the class is due to start, and be at the door to welcome your
students with a smile as they come into class.

2.1. Starting Class

Proactive classroom control begins with setting the tenor in your room in the first few
minutes …. If you miss the opportunity for a smooth, controlled start, you will spend more of
your time trying to calm things down and regain control. (Discipline by Design – The Honor
Level System)

It is a good idea to set up a routine with your students (adults or young learners) whereby they
have a daily start-up activity which can be done individually or in pairs. This should be an activity
which provides practice in skills the students already know and requires no instruction and very
little explanation. It could be something as simple as comparing their homework, reviewing the
previous class individually and in silence or preparing for a 2-minute spelling test. As the rest of
your students arrive over the course of several minutes, they see that their classmates are already
working and, because this routine is well-established, they will do the same. Thus, when you are
ready to start class, you are not having to bring the class “to order” and battling to get the
attention of students who are chatting and “waiting” for the class to begin.

Your classes should always start on time, even if only one or two students have shown up
punctually. This indicates to the latecomers that their tardiness is unacceptable and that they will
miss out if they don’t come to class on time. Do not interrupt what you are saying/doing for
latecomers, but do acknowledge them with a nod or a smile. With younger learners in schools,
there may be official policies on coming late to class, which you will be expected to enforce.

2.1.1. Finishing class

Similarly, you should always end your class on time out of respect for your students and any
teacher or class that may be following you.
Make sure to stop any activity, even if students haven’t finished, so that you allow time to “end”
the class – to reflect on what has been learnt, to assign homework, and to answer any questions or
doubts your students may have. A well-prepared teacher will even allow a few minutes at the end
of each period, enlisting the help of your students where necessary, to get things ready for the
next class. For example, make sure that any chairs/desks that have been moved are put back in
place, your whiteboard has been cleaned and you have your materials for the next class ready to
hand.

As your students leave, you should again be standing at the door to wish them a warm farewell
and remind them of any work that is due.