At the beginning of the year, routines and transitions are important to establish, but after holidays and vacations, routines and transitions are important to revisit. When children return to school following an extended break, some rules and norms may have been forgotten, and many children will benefit from a refresher. At this time, you might also reflect upon how well the routines have worked for your students and if any need to be modified to better suit your classroom community.
The creation and management of classroom routines and transitions allows you to teach effectively and efficiently; allows you to create an orderly, busy classroom in which students know what is expected; as well as how to behave responsibly and respectfully in a community of learners. Students learn how the classroom library is organized, how to choose books and return them, how to use their voices in the classroom, and how to work in organized literacy centers.
Here are 5 Classroom Routines to Revisit Throughout the Year:
When you teach students to listen carefully to each other, they learn to communicate and collaborate effectively.
When children learn different ways to problem solve on their own, it encourages independence and allows time – or the teacher to work with small groups or individually with other children.
When children understand the importance of taking good care of shared materials, including returning them to where they belong, it promotes a positive learning environment by guaranteeing that everyone will have materials to use that are in good shape.
When you teach children to keep their materials organized, they spend less time trying to find materials and more time reading, writing, and learning. A magazine box or cereal box works well – or a personal box.
Children need to know how to work independently. A well-organized classroom environment in which children can work on their own allows time for you to work effectively with individuals or small groups without interruption.
The goal is to create and maintain a respectful, caring, and organized classroom community. The establishment of rituals and routines supports children’s ability to function as responsible members of the classroom. While explicitly teaching these rituals and routines, it is important to incorporate opportunities to read aloud and talk about books. Interactive read-aloud is a community-building experience that teaches children how to communicate their thinking about books as well as carefully listen and respond to others in a respectful way. Read books from your own library or use books from the Fountas & Pinnell Classroom™ Interactive Read Aloud Collection about school, friendship, and family to discuss what it means to be part of a caring and considerate community. Create a warm and inviting child-centered classroom in which children can take ownership of their own space and materials.