3 Engaging and Effective Ways to Review Science Classroom Procedures

When and how do you review science classroom procedures? You’ve taught them at the beginning of the year, so that’s good enough right?

No!

Procedures, routines, expectations- they all need to be reviewed throughout the year. Reteach them when students need correction. Review them after each long break from school. And be sure to review when you have a roster change or new student.

But how? That’s what this blog post is all about- reviewing science classroom procedures.

In This Post

We will go over different procedures and routines that students should be following in science class. Then I’ll share a few ideas on how to review these procedures with them. You can tell them the procedure and you can get them engaged in it. Remember to enforce the procedure so they continue to follow it.

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What are some science classroom procedures?

Students should be following any procedures and lab safety rules you’ve taught them.

Aside from safety rules, here are some procedures students should know. They should know what to do when they walk into the classroom, how to work together or independently, what to do when they need to use the restroom or get a drink, and how to end the class period.

You can read more about it in this blog post, 10 Common Classroom Procedures to Teach for a Great School Year.

And in Science Classroom Procedures Review, I’ve included a longer list of procedures and a reflection sheet to prepare for reteaching.

When should I reteach or review science classroom procedures?

When do I review or reteach science classroom procedures? After a break, new student, correct the procedure

Reteaching or reviewing should take place whenever students are not following a procedure correctly or when you have a new student. In this case, reteaching is a quick, on the spot strategy to ensure students are following procedures correctly.

You should also review them after any break, such as fall, winter, or spring break. Some students will need a review after a 3-day weekend. I recommend writing down your science classroom procedure review days in your calendar ahead of time, so you don’t forget. And jot down the activity you will use if you are using Science Classroom Procedures Review.

It shouldn’t take very long to reteach a procedure. If you are reviewing a set of procedures after a break, that should take about 20 minutes or so of a class period.

How do I reteach or review science classroom procedures?

There are a few ways to reteach. I’ll share how to reteach at any moment, and give you different ideas to get kids engaged in the review of science classroom procedures.

Teach, practice, reinforce, correct

You’ll want to make sure you teach students the correct way to do a procedure in class. For example, when students enter the room, they should go to their seats and start their bell work.

Teach that by telling students what is expected of them when they enter the room. I like to do this in the hallway with the class lined up so they receive the same instruction.

Give students a chance to practice the procedure. Most will follow it the first time, but others may need help.

Reinforce students when they do this correctly. Use language such as, “I noticed you went to your seat when you walked in. Thank you for following the procedure.” Or something along those lines.

Correct students when they don’t do this correctly. You can address it with the whole group, or talk to the student privately. When you correct, be specific and direct, and remind them of the correct way to do the procedure. Here is an example, “I noticed a few of you did not go to your seat when you walked in. What should you do when you walk into the classroom? (students answer). That’s right, you should go to your seat and start your bell work. Let’s try it again.”

When correcting, have the students practice again.

This is an ongoing process, and one that you may feel like you do every single day. But it’s okay. Eventually most, if not all, students will begin to follow the procedure on their own. Now, if a procedure isn’t working, it may need to be revamped, and that’s okay. Just be sure to teach, practice, reinforce, and correct it.

Science Classroom Procedures Review Ideas

Take some time to reflect on the procedures that your students need to review. Some procedures my students need to review include cleaning up at the end of class and working around the room. They have been very messy lately.

But remember, we also need to enforce the procedure. I admit, towards the end of the quarter before Winter Break, I got more relaxed. So, when we return from the break, it’s time for me to get back on track and get my students back on track.

After you reflect, use one of these ideas to review them with your students after a break or a long weekend. Rather than telling them the procedures, let’s get them engaged and have them recall what to do during class.

Science Classroom Procedures Review Powerpoint

picture of a powerpoint slide for a whole group review. Engage students by having them work in pairs; use whiteboards to write their responses; discuss with partner; share their ideas

You can use a Powerpoint that reviews your classroom procedures as a whole group review. To get kids engaged, have them work with a partner and give each pair a white board. When you present a question about a procedure, give them an opportunity to discuss and jot down an answer. Once students show you or tell you their answers, review the procedure with them. You can edit the Powerpoint in Science Classroom Procedures Review.

Science Classroom Procedures Posters or Skits

picture of students working together to share correct and incorrect ways to follow a procedure.

Give pairs or groups of students a procedure you want to review. Then have them create a poster to show how to do the procedure correctly. Then have students share their posters with the class. While they share, review each procedure with the class to make sure they have the correct information. A way to modify this is to have students create a short skit for the procedure rather than make a poster.

Science Classroom Procedures Review Game

Picture of a powerpoint slide; Play a game! Fun way to review procedures; Kahoot, Gimkit, or Blooket; Show What You Know About...Science Classroom Procedures

You can play a review game with your class to go over classroom procedures. You can create a Kahoot, Blooket, or Gimkit and have them play on their laptops. Or, you can play this trivia game!

Show What You Know About…Science Classroom Procedures is a really exciting way to review procedures. You can play it in groups as a complete trivia game, or you can adjust it to a sit down review activity. If you decide to use this game, you may want to edit some of the answers so it follows your own classroom procedures.

To play, you show the Powerpoint on the screen and give each group an answer sheet. Showing one question at a time, students write down their answers and bring their sheet to you. Before showing the actual answer, review the procedure, especially if some students got the wrong answer.

If you want to use this as a sit down activity, have students work in pairs and give them a whiteboard. Rather than writing their answer on the sheet, they write it on the whiteboard.

You can get this game in the Science Classroom Procedures Review.

Wrap Up

Teaching, reinforcing, and practicing science classroom procedures is really important, and reviewing them is just as important. We talked about when to review procedures with your students. They should review as needed throughout the year and after breaks or even long weekends.

When reteaching throughout the year, remember to teach, practice, reinforce, and correct. When reviewing after a break, use some engaging activities to review procedures. All of the activities (Powerpoint, poster, and game) are included in Science Classroom Procedures Review.

Your Turn

What are some procedures your students need to review? How will you review it with them? What are some ways you like to review? Reply and let me know!