ABSTRACT
Routines are different from rules. A routine is the sum of various activities that you do somewhat automatically during a day because it has become a familiar pattern of behavior. Just as the activities that prepare you for your day have become routine, so should various classroom activities. Well-managed classrooms are that way because certain processes are so automatic that they make up the day’s routine. Routines add stability and order to a student’s life and are essential to a smooth– running classroom. Establishing routines takes time and patience, because they must be taught, practiced, and reinforced. Also see Procedures Pave the Way. What's your routine?
Morning arrival: backpacks and lunchboxes; attendance and lunch counts; daily announcements; homework submissions; daily agenda (see Daily Agenda)
Classroom time: lining up; walking in the hall; bathroom; drinks of water; tissues; transitioning to and from lessons and groups; getting the teacher’s attention; posting assignments; going to the clinic, office, specials, or exceptional education class; turning in papers; heading a paper; seeking assistance with a task; expectations when guests enter the classroom; emergencies; changing classes
Dismissal: packing materials for homework; retrieving backpacks and lunch-boxes; tidying desks and classroom areas before leaving
