Walking in Line


We've all been there... We start the year determined to teach our students to walk nicely in line. We are patient. We praise, reward, and repeat. A lot. All that time and effort in the beginning pays off later on. But despite our best efforts there are always those children who can't contain their rambunctiousness, and it is only a matter of time before our patience runs out and we end up holding their hand. 

I decided to change things around this year! Instead of holding the hand of someone who is misbehaving in line,

I hold the hand of a student who is doing a great job. 
Here is how it works:


  • I tell my kids that I will invite a few kids to hold my hand and be my guests of honor during our walk in the hallway. 
  • I tell them what I will be looking for in a guest.
  • I make my guest feel really special for a few moments, then I thank him and send him back to the line.
I have done this consistently, and I have tried to find the strength to catch my "jumpers-twirlers" before they act up. The impact that encouragement and positive feedback has had on them is really rewarding. The change doesn't happen overnight, but it is a step in the right direction!


For more classroom management tips check out these posts: