1, 2, 3 Transitions

Transitioning from one activity or setting to another can be challenging in a classroom. A lot of time can be wasted if transitions are not quick and smooth. Several years ago, I learned about the 1, 2, 3 transition model from the book Teach Like a Champion. It has been one of the best tricks I have learned in my 12 years of teaching.

Here is how it works in our classroom:
1- All students stand by their chair.
2- All students push in their chairs (quietly).
3- Everyone walks quietly to the carpet (or line).

One of the secrets to this technique is that everyone must do each step before we move on to the next one. Also, it must be quiet. Students learned this quickly on day one, and we already have it mastered. It saves us so much time each day!

Here is the 1,2,3 transition in action: