Are you an elementary teacher who is looking for ways to improve your classroom management? If so, you are in luck! In this blog post, we will discuss 5 important classroom routines that you must teach your students. These routines will help keep your classroom running smoothly and ensure that everyone is on task. Let’s get started!
Classroom routines are important for a number of reasons. First, they help to create a sense of order and predictability in the classroom. This can be particularly helpful for young students who may feel overwhelmed by the chaotic nature of the classroom.
Classroom routines also help to save time during transitions and activities. For example, they help you avoid wasting time trying to get students to quiet down and listen to your instructions.
Here are the 5 important classroom routines you should plan out step-by-step and teach to your students:
Classroom Morning Routine:
The first important classroom routine that you must establish with your students is a morning routine. A typical morning routine might include activities such as hanging up backpacks, putting away lunch boxes, and sharpening pencils.
A well-organized morning routine will help your students know what to expect when they arrive in the classroom each day. It will help them feel calm and ready to learn.
Additionally, having a morning routine will help you start your day off on the right foot by allowing you to take care of administrative tasks before instruction begins.
Morning routines are also a great opportunity to incorporate some basic academic skills into your students’ day. For example, Morning Work is a great way to start the day in the classroom. It can help students review important skills and concepts, and it can also help them get settled into the school day.
It should be short and sweet and not take away from instructional time.
You could use a simple, yet meaningful, Daily Spiral Review that they look forward to doing each day. Make it purposeful and just challenging enough that they feel successful.
Here are FREE samples of Morning Work that fit that description perfectly! Morning work is a great way to get your students’ brains working before they begin their regular academic lessons for the day.
Transitions in the Classroom Routine:
In addition to a morning routine, it is also important to establish routines for transitions in the classroom. Transitions are when students move from one activity to another, and can often be chaotic times in the classroom.
They can be particularly tricky for young students, so it is important that you take the time to establish some clear and concise procedures.
Well planned out transition routines will help your students know exactly what to do when it is time to move from one activity to the next.
By having a set routine for each and every transition, you can avoid wasted time and confusion.
Another important aspect of transitions is the use of transition signals. Transition signals are a way to let students know that it is time to move on to the next activity.
They can be verbal, such as saying “It’s time to clean up,” or they can be nonverbal, such as holding up a sign that says “Line up.”
Transition signals should, again, be clear and concise so that there is no confusion about what to do next.
Workshop Centers Classroom Routine:
One of the most important aspects of a successful elementary classroom is the routine for centers during guided workshop time. This is the time when students work independently while the teacher meets with a small group.
Centers during workshop time can be used during Guided Workshops for academic areas such as Reading, Math, or Writing.
The key to a successful workshop center time is to have a clear and concise routine. Students should know exactly what they are supposed to do during this time, and they should be able to complete their tasks with minimal assistance.
Behavioral expectations should also be made clear before workshop center time begins.
It’s important to teach and practice the center routines before beginning.
One way to set up a workshop center routine is to have students rotate through different centers each day. This allows them to experience a variety of activities, and it also prevents them from getting bored with any one task.
Post a rotation schedule in a visible location so each small group knows exactly which center they should work at each day.
Cooperative Learning Classroom Routine:
Cooperative learning is a great way for students to work together to complete a task or activity. It is important, once again, to have a clear and concise routine for cooperative learning in your classroom so that students know what to do and how to behave during this time.
There are a few key things to keep in mind when setting up a cooperative learning routine. First, it is important to choose an activity that is appropriate for the age and ability level of your students.
Second, you will need to provide clear instructions for the activity so that all students understand what they are supposed to do.
Finally, it is important to have a way to assess each student’s participation in the activity.
One way to assess student participation in a cooperative learning activity is to use a rubric. A rubric can be used to give each student a specific task to complete during the activity. And, it can also be used to evaluate how well they completed the task.
Another way to assess student participation is to simply observe them during the activity and take notes on their behavior. This is a good way to identify students who may need additional help or support in cooperative learning activities.
End of Day Classroom Routine:
The end of the day is a great time to reflect on the day’s learning and to set goals for the next day. And, of course, it is important to have a clear and concise routine for the end of the day so that students know what to do and how to behave during this time.
One way to set up an end-of-day routine is to have students write in their journals about what they learned during the day. This is a great way for them to reflect on their learning and to think about what they would like to learn tomorrow.
Another way to set up an end-of-day routine is to have students clean up their work areas and put away all of their materials before the day is over. This will help to prevent any materials from being left out, and it will also help the next day’s students to get started quickly.
I also have them gather their backpacks, ready to go, before sitting quietly for Read-Aloud time. I have found that reading to them for that last 5 or 10 minutes makes for a calm transition to line up for going home.
Whatever end-of-day routine you choose, it is important to be consistent with it. Students should know exactly what they are supposed to do during this time. It will help to ensure that the end of the day is a smooth and stress-free time for both students and teachers.
Don’t forget to download the Free Morning Work.
I hope that these tips will help you to create a smooth and efficient routine for your elementary classroom. Having a well-organized and consistent routine is an important part of creating a successful learning environment for your students.
Do you have any other tips for setting up an effective elementary classroom routine? Share them in the comments below!
~Anita
This article originally appeared at Primary Teachspiration.
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