A routine is like a habit or sequence that does not vary. Effective teachers establish routines to manage classroom activities to create a balance, flow, and ease. I have established several routines throughout my placement. The routines include:
- I arrive to school 20 minutes before the school day and wait in the classroom for the students to arrive. I talk with my host teacher, along with her assistants about how they all have been doing since I have been gone. Once the students arrive to the classroom, I greet each one of them cheerfully and tell them hello and ask how they are doing. They usually tell me that they have missed me and that they are glad I am back for the day to "hang out" with them. I usually laugh and say, "I am doing much more than hanging out with you. I am going to teach you today!"
- After they have finished their breakfast, it is their responsibility to get out their journals and write down what the daily message says on the board. It sometimes includes a response to it. I make sure to walk around and observe how they are responding. I offer my help to anyone that needs it.
- Next they are to work on their English packets. I make sure my time is equally spent with everyone and make sure they receive feedback from me. They really enjoy that they have my support and I am willing to work with them.
- After 45 minutes or so, they are instructed to put away their English packets. They then attend an elective course that is either drama, keyboarding, gym, etc. I attend the elective with them and get an opportunity to observe them outside of their regular classroom and see how they interact with other students in the school.
- As the morning continues, it is time for science and social studies. I have instructed science lessons with the higher level learners and a routine that I have developed with them is that they are to get out their loose leaf paper that they have been using to write on or get a new piece if their old piece is full. I then ask them to remind me what page we left off on by referring to the page number that was instructed last science lesson for them to write down on their paper. After we have all gotten to the correct page number, we then discuss what we have been talking and learning about. After our discussion, we go ahead and start reading on in the book and as we approach a bold word in the text, they know that bold words are important words and that word is to be written down on their loose leaf paper and to be looked up in their glossary. They are to write down the word's definition. After this has been done, students are instructed to return back to the page we are reading from and remain quiet until we continue.
- After the science and social studies lessons, the students break for lunch time. Once lunch is over, they have a study time to work on worksheet packets or work on a puzzle or read a book, etc. I have also used this time to do the CNN Student News with them. They really seem to enjoy when I take charge in the CNN Student News, because I show enthusiasm for it. They are instructed once I stop the news to think of a critical fact that was stated and as a class, come up with a sentence to write down on their loose leaf paper as a note. As we continue through the news, the same process applies until we are done. Their completed paper's are to be turned into one of the assistant's so they get credit for their work.
- Lastly, as I am about to leave, I tell the students that I had a good time with them and that I hope they have a good rest of their learning day. When I acknowledge them, they appreciate that I care about them and I appreciate them accepting me into their classroom. I have really enjoyed my time with them.
By establishing my own routines with the students, along with following the routines set up by their teacher, the students have responded positively. Because the students have special needs, routines are a great way for them to expect what comes next. It reduces frustration and anxiety for them. I had to ease in my routines, so they would not become overwhelmed, but they all handled me very well. I am very proud of them.
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