Transitions
What is the biggest classroom problem during transitions?
Lost time / misbehavior
What does a teacher use to show it’s time to settle?
A consistent signal
True or False – The Lock-It-In procedure only works for younger students.
False – all ages benefit
What does “academic control-sharing” mean?
Letting students have a say in learning
What happens to motivation when students have voice in learning?
It increases
What does the “Lock-It-In” procedure help with?
Smooth, quick transitions
Give one example of a signal.
Hand raise, clap pattern, phrase like “Lock it in!”
What should a teacher do if students don’t lock in correctly?
Reteach, prompt, practice again
Name one way to give students choice in class.
Partners, task order, project format
Fill in the blank: Structure + Choice = ______.
Better engagement / fewer disruptions
How many minutes per day lose teachers due to messy transitions?
10-15 minutes
Why must teachers always use the same signal?
Predictability, students know what to do
Why should transitions be practiced like skills?
So they become automatic habits.
Why does giving choice reduce behavior issues?
Students feel ownership, less resistance
Give an example of a way to share academic responsibility with students.
Co-create rules, design rubric, choose topics
Name one strategy teachers use to make transitions predictable.
Clear expectations, routines, practice
What 3 things should students do when they “lock it in”?
Voices off, eyes forward, materials ready
Give an example of how to positively reinforce a smooth transition.
Praise, points, recognition, quick start to fun task
What is one danger of giving too much control?
Loss of structure, unclear expectations
What’s the main connection between Lock-It-In and Control-Sharing?
Both reduce misbehavior by building structure + student investment
Why does practicing transitions save more instructional time than almost any other procedure?
Because smooth transitions prevent wasted minutes daily, adding up to hours of saved learning time.
Why is consistency more important than the type of signal chosen?
Students thrive on predictability; any consistent signal builds habits and reduces confusion.
Why must teachers reteach transitions instead of correcting on the spot?
Reteaching builds automatic habits, while one-time corrections don’t change long-term behavior.
How can a teacher balance giving student choice without losing authority?
By offering structured choices within boundaries that still maintain teacher control.
What is the relationship between engagement, structure, and misbehavior?
High engagement + strong structure = less misbehavior because students are invested and know expectations.