Lesson Plan
Expectations Check-In
Students will be able to identify and apply the steps of a daily check-in routine for classroom expectations and unexpected behaviors.
Establishing a routine for checking in on expectations helps create a predictable and safe learning environment where everyone understands what is expected, leading to fewer disruptions and more focused learning.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and guided practice.
Materials
Google Slides presentation Expectations Check-In Slide Deck, Teacher Script Expectations Check-In Script, Warm-Up activity Daily Behavior Warm-Up, and Cool-Down activity Reflection Cool-Down
Prep
Review Materials
5 minutes
- Review the Expectations Check-In Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
* Read through the Expectations Check-In Script to prepare for guiding the discussion.
* Prepare any necessary writing materials for the Daily Behavior Warm-Up and Reflection Cool-Down, if not using digital tools.
* Ensure projector and computer are ready for the slide deck.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Think-Pair-Share
3 minutes
- Begin with the Daily Behavior Warm-Up activity.
* Ask students to think about a time they knew what was expected of them and how it felt.
* Have them share with a partner (Think-Pair-Share strategy).
Step 2
Introduction to Daily Check-In
4 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Expectations Check-In Slide Deck.
* Introduce the concept of a daily check-in routine using the Expectations Check-In Script.
* Explain why this routine is important for a positive classroom.
* Discuss what a daily check-in will look and sound like.
Step 3
Practicing the Check-In
5 minutes
- Move through the next slides of the Expectations Check-In Slide Deck to guide students through a mock check-in.
* Use the Expectations Check-In Script to prompt students to identify common classroom expectations.
* Present a hypothetical 'unexpected behavior' scenario and guide students in discussing appropriate responses and how the check-in helps address it. (e.g., 'What if someone is talking during silent reading? How can our check-in help us remember the expectation?')
Step 4
Cool-Down: Reflection
3 minutes
- Conclude with the Reflection Cool-Down activity.
* Ask students to reflect on one thing they learned about managing expectations or unexpected behaviors.
* Collect responses as an exit ticket or quick share.
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Slide Deck
Expectations Check-In: Your Daily Compass
Navigating Our Classroom Together!
Welcome students and introduce the engaging title for today's lesson. This slide sets the tone for understanding expectations.
What Are Expectations?
• Rules or guidelines for how we act and learn.
• They help everyone feel safe and know what to do.
• Think of them like a map for our learning journey!
Ask students to share what they think an expectation is. Guide them to understand that expectations are agreed-upon ways we behave and learn in the classroom. Emphasize that knowing expectations helps everyone succeed.
Why Daily Check-Ins?
• Helps us remember our classroom map every day.
• Keeps everyone on the same page.
• Makes our classroom a positive place for learning.
• Helps us recognize and manage unexpected behaviors before they happen!
Explain the purpose of the daily check-in. It's not about catching people doing wrong, but about reminding ourselves of our shared goals and being ready for a great day. Highlight that unexpected behaviors can be prevented with clear expectations.
Our Check-In Steps
- Review: Briefly look at our key classroom expectations.
- Reflect: Think about how we can meet them today.
- Ready: Be prepared to have an amazing learning day!
Introduce the simple steps of the check-in. Keep it concise and easy for 4th graders to remember. Emphasize that it's a quick, helpful routine.
Scenario Time!
Imagine: During group work, some students are talking loudly about things unrelated to the task.
How could our daily check-in have helped us prepare for this?
Present a simple scenario. Ask students how the check-in routine could help in this situation. Focus on proactive thinking and problem-solving.
Your Daily Check-In Superpower!
• Knowing expectations helps you be a successful learner.
• Daily check-ins make our classroom fair and fun.
• You've got this!
Summarize the key takeaway: daily check-ins make our classroom a better place for everyone. Encourage students to participate actively in the routine.
Script
Expectations Check-In Script
Warm-Up: Think-Pair-Share (3 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Let's start our day with a quick warm-up. I want you to think about a time you knew exactly what was expected of you. Maybe it was at home, during a game, or in another class. How did it feel when you understood those expectations? Think quietly for a moment.
"
Teacher: "Now, turn to a partner and share your thoughts. Tell them about the situation and how it felt." (Allow 1-2 minutes for sharing)
Introduction to Daily Check-In (4 minutes)
Teacher: "Great sharing, everyone! It sounds like many of you felt confident, prepared, or even happy when you knew what to do. Today, we're going to talk about how we can create that feeling every day in our classroom. Let's look at our first slide!"
(Display Expectations Check-In Slide Deck - Slide 1)
Teacher: "Our lesson today is called, 'Expectations Check-In: Your Daily Compass.' Just like a compass helps you know where you're going, our daily check-in will help us navigate our learning journey together."
(Display Expectations Check-In Slide Deck - Slide 2)
Teacher: "First, let's make sure we're all on the same page. What do you think an 'expectation' is? Turn and talk to your partner for 30 seconds. What comes to mind?" (Allow brief partner discussion, then call on 2-3 students to share).
Teacher: "Excellent ideas! As our slide says, expectations are like rules or guidelines that help us know how to act and learn. They make sure everyone feels safe and understands what they need to do. They're like our classroom map!"
(Display Expectations Check-In Slide Deck - Slide 3)
Teacher: "So, why do we need a daily check-in about these expectations? It might seem like extra work, but it's really helpful. It helps us remember our classroom map every single day, keeps us all on the same page, and makes our classroom a positive and fair place for learning. Plus, it helps us think about and manage any 'unexpected behaviors' before they even happen. It helps us be proactive!"
Practicing the Check-In (5 minutes)
(Display Expectations Check-In Slide Deck - Slide 4)
Teacher: "Our daily check-in will be super simple. We'll follow three steps: Review, Reflect, and Ready.
- Review: We'll briefly look at our key classroom expectations.
- Reflect: We'll think about how we can meet them today.
- Ready: And then, we'll be prepared to have an amazing learning day!"
Teacher: "Let's try a quick practice. For example, one of our expectations is to 'Listen actively when others are speaking.' How can you make sure you are ready to listen actively today? Think about it." (Pause)
(Display Expectations Check-In Slide Deck - Slide 5)
Teacher: "Now, let's consider a scenario. Imagine during group work, some students are talking loudly about things unrelated to the task. This is an 'unexpected behavior.' How could our daily check-in, where we reviewed and reflected on our expectations for group work, have helped us before this happened? What expectation might we have forgotten, and how could our check-in remind us?" (Call on a few students to share).
Teacher: "Exactly! If we take a moment to 'Review' our expectation for group work – like staying on topic and using quiet voices – and then 'Reflect' on how we'll do that, we are much more 'Ready' to avoid that unexpected behavior. Our check-in helps us make good choices."
Cool-Down: Reflection (3 minutes)
(Display Expectations Check-In Slide Deck - Slide 6)
Teacher: "You all have a daily check-in superpower! Let's wrap up with a quick reflection. On a piece of paper or in your journal, write down one thing you learned or were reminded of today about managing expectations or unexpected behaviors in our classroom. How will our daily check-in help you?"
Teacher: "Great job today, everyone. I'm looking forward to starting our new daily check-in routine tomorrow!"
Warm Up
Daily Behavior Warm-Up
Instructions: Think about a time when you knew exactly what was expected of you, whether it was at school, at home, or during a game. How did knowing those expectations make you feel?
Share your thoughts with a partner. Listen to their experience, and be ready to share one thing you discussed with the class.
Cool Down
Reflection Cool-Down
Instructions: On an index card or a piece of paper, write down one important thing you learned or were reminded of today about classroom expectations and unexpected behaviors. How will our new daily check-in routine help you be a better learner and classroom citizen?
Hand in your reflection on your way out the door!