…Because routines build the foundation for everything else.
The beginning of the school year is such a whirlwind! New faces, big emotions, and a whole lot of excitement. My classroom runs on routines and there are a TON of routines to introduce over the first several weeks of school. You can’t teach them all at once and you definitely can’t expect mastery overnight. But, some routines are so essential that I get started with them right away…on Day 1.
1. Morning Routine
From Day 1, we practice walking in and saying good morning, putting lunch boxes and water bottles away, hanging backpacks appropriately, and starting morning work, which for the first week is either a simple name art page or browsing books from a tub at their table. After that first week, they start Lexia on their Chromebooks after unpacking.
2. Listening and Meeting Spot Expectations
I use Sit Spots at our meeting spot and students have an assigned “dot”. Once everyone is on their dot, I go over our Listening Rules that students should follow when I’m teaching a lesson, reading, etc.
I also introduce using a “quiet thumb” instead of raising their hand, which to me is much less distracting and intrusive. They get used to it very quickly!
3. Attention Getters
I introduce several kinds of attention getters throughout the year, but at the beginning we use “Class Class” (from Whole Brain Teaching), my teacher bell, and the standard “clap clap, clap-clap-clap”. After my signal, they are expected to “give me 5”, which means to follow our listening rules so they will be ready to hear what I am going to say.
Later in the school year, I introduce some fun call back rhymes, too.
4. Highlight Your Name
It’s the smallest routine with one of the biggest payoffs! I started this several years ago and it means I never have to deal with nameless papers! At our turn in basket, I have a few highlighters for students. They do a quick line through their name and turn it in. If they notice they forgot their name, they head back to their spot and add it. They love the highlighting aspect and I love that everyone puts their names on their papers!
5. Line-Up Rules
During the first week, I choose a line leader, door holders, and a caboose…these will become weekly jobs starting in Week 2. Once those students are in position, I call the rest of the class to line up, a few at a time, behind them. I usually don’t assign spots in line, except for the students with jobs. (Last year was an exception when I needed assigned spots. 🤪) Once we’re all lined up, the line leader starts our “I’m Ready” chant, and then we’re good to go!
6. Read to Self
It may be only for five quiet minutes on the first day, but I want to plant the seed that independent reading is something we do in this classroom. Each student has a book box containing 6–8 books. For the first few weeks, they read books that I chose and placed in their boxes before school started. After we officially open our classroom library, usually around Week 3, students begin selecting their own books once a week.
7. Mailbox & Dismissal Routine
End-of-day chaos is real, so I start training them from day one! Students have a homework folder and a calendar where they record their daily behavior and participation using E, S, or N (guided by Class Dojo). I hand out the folders, students record their mark, and I punch their punch card. After their card is punched, they check their mailbox, place any papers into their folder, gather their backpack, lunch box, and water bottle, and meet at their designated dot.
8. Bathroom and Drink Breaks
These rules and routines are essential to avoid missing instruction time or distracting others.
Drinks…students may get up and get a drink from their water bottle or our drinking fountain any time they need to EXCEPT when we’re at the meeting spot for lessons.
Bathroom…We usually take several whole-class bathroom breaks on the first day so I can teach expectations and routines at the restroom area. In class, students are generally allowed to go as needed. If I’m working with a group, they walk to the sign-out sheet by the door, raise their hand, and I give them a quick nod to go. My room is small, so I can always see that area. If we’re at the meeting spot, they use a quiet thumbs-up to ask. We do work on not going during instruction time, but usually with first graders, when they have to go, they have to go!
➡️➡️➡️ Will students master these routines on Day 1? Definitely not. But starting early gives us a strong foundation to build on. Every time we practice these routines, we’re creating a smoother, calmer classroom, and giving ourselves the gift of more time for teaching and learning.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a great school year!
Happy Teaching!
Jennifer ~ Practical Primary Teacher 🍎
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