5 Best Back to School Classroom Routines
Can you feel the back-to-school buzz in the air? It's that time of year again when we get to welcome new faces into our classrooms. By this time, you know that establishing routines from the get-go is the single most important thing you can do to keep your classroom (and sanity) running smoothly throughout the year. Having routines in place provides the structure and familiarity that you and your students need in order to feel prepared every day.
In this blog post, you’ll find 5 of the best back-to-school classroom routines that will save your sanity throughout the school year.
Why are Routines Important?
Routines are like a schedule that helps students know what to expect and feel more comfortable in class. When there's a routine, students can predict what will happen next, which makes them less worried and happier to learn. They also teach students how to be responsible and disciplined because they know what to do. Also, having routines helps the class run smoothly, with less interruptions and more time for learning. Starting routines early sets a good foundation for the whole year, making it easier for everyone to focus and do well in class.
5 Best Back-to-School Classroom Routines
Start of Class: This routine actually starts before the tardy bell rings and it gives you time for attendance, announcements, etc. Using reading bell ringers or writing bell ringers not only set the tone for the start of class, but also provide practice with those much-needed academic skills.
Getting their attention: This is great for transitioning from one activity to the next. Establish clear expectations about what it means to pay attention. It may be that they stop what they’re doing, stop talking, put everything down, look at you and wait for instructions. Come up with a phrase, with or without them, and practice it until they get it right. A chime or a bell works great too.
Group Work Routine: The best way to practice this at the beginning of the school year is to provide a fairly easy activity for students to complete as a group, focusing on the routine instead of the academics. Yes, academics are important, but at this point you’re establishing routines so that when the academics get hard, you don’t have to worry about teaching both the routine and the academics. Give each person in the group a specific job and set rules for how they should work together. This helps everyone participate and be involved equally. Some group roles include: recorder, spokesperson, summarizer, checker, skeptic, organizer, observer, timekeeper, and conflict resolver.
Classroom Management Routine: Clearly communicate how students should behave, praise them when they do well, and have a system of rewards or recognition to encourage good behavior. With their help, outline what is considered acceptable and appropriate behavior. Establish consequences for negative behavior and follow through with them. There’s nothing worse than establishing consequences and the teacher not following up on them. Students catch on very quickly and everything goes downhill from there.
End-of-Day Routine: Establish a routine at the end of the day to help students get ready to leave the class in an organized way. Give students time to tidy up their spaces, organize their things, and do a quick activity to think about what they learned that day or answer a short question before they leave. It doesn’t have to be long, 2-5 minutes will do.
In a Nutshell
In conclusion, establishing effective classroom routines is important for a successful school year for both the students and the teacher. By implementing the 5 best back-to-school classroom routines, you can create a smooth-running classroom and save your sanity. Starting with a structured start-of-class routine and attention-grabbing techniques, you can set a positive tone. Group work routine promotes collaboration and focus, and a clear classroom management routine reinforces positive behavior. Lastly, an end-of-day routine encourages organization and reflection. Cheers for a productive and enjoyable school year!
