Moving a group of children from one location to another on campus can be difficult. Without a procedure and clear directions, students may wander off, push or shove, or disturb other classes. Students can learn to move quickly, quietly, and safely in line as they make the transition across the school campus.
Teach Students how to Walk in Line the First Time
It is important that you teach the students how you expect them to walk in line immediately before the first time they are expected to use this behavior. Allow extra time so you can make sure you have time the students practice walking appropriately or try again if they struggle. Practice as many times and as often as necessary until they are preforming up to your expectation. This may mean you continue practicing every day and use game format for reaching the expected goal.
Assign Leaders and Place Yourself to Monitor
Assign a student to be the leader. Make it clear that no one should walk in front of the leader. As well, assign a student to be a caboose at the end of the line and make it clear that no one should walk behind that student. The "caboose" can turn out the lights and shut the door. Always position yourself so you can see all of the students. Do not stand at the front of the line because you will have to turn around to check on the students. Most teachers find it works best to be at the back or to the side of the line.
Buddy Up Strategy
Try pairing students up so they walk with a buddy. The line is much shorter when students walk by twos. This will also help eliminate stragglers and create a much more manageable line. Be aware that this might also create a place for some children to bother other children while walking. This strategy needs to be practiced and held to a high standard for movement to work well.
Monitor Students
When you first have students walk in line, narrate student behavior every minute or two in a voice loud enough for all the students to hear, such as, "Kyle and Dean are walking single file and are keeping their hands to themselves." Correct students when needed and don't hesitate to stop and start over to practice the high expectation.
Stop Before Entering a Building
Have students stop at the door before they enter the cafeteria, auditorium, return to the classroom, and so on. Once the class is stopped, you can then give directions for how you want them to behave when they enter the locale. For example, start their entrance ticket upon entering the classroom or wait quietly to get their lunch.
When students have mastered walking in a line, you may want to have small groups of students-and eventually your entire class-go places without being in line if they can behave appropriately (no or low talking, bumping, or touching).