The beginning of the day is imperative in getting students pumped and prepared to learn, and your morning routine centres around that. As you enter your classroom each day, there may be an established routine that helps to settle everyone in and get ready for a productive learning experience.
The morning routine has become a means of creating and establishing an environment each day that is tranquil, orderly (at least somewhat!), and predictable for all involved does feel ready to be engaged.
What Is a Morning Routine in the Classroom?
In the classroom, there is a morning routine activities that students do daily as they arrive at school. It is a slow transition that eases students into going from home to school.
This schedule typically consists of unpacking, greeting the teacher, and sitting down followed by brain-based learning activities. This routine may consist of attendance, calendar time, morning work and a whole group meeting.
They tell us what is coming next so no one has to give reminders! It is a rhythm that eases into the start of the day, ensuring all are prepared to learn and ready for learning with centred minds tuned in.
It helps the students feel more at ease that they know what to expect and takes some of their stress away from not knowing how things work.
Why Is the Morning Routine in the Classroom Important?
It is necessary to have a morning routine, it prepares us for the day. Students are more comfortable and prepared when they have an idea of what to expect.
It makes for a relaxed household and less chaos in general than everyone doing their own thing. A structured start in the morning helps students focus, establish good habits and ensure everyone is ready to learn.
It also allows students to bond with their teacher and classmates, unpack how they are feeling; as well as keeping them organised. It can set the tone for a better day ahead which may mean fewer stem changes down the line as well and hopefully, students will manage their time more easily.
Obedience and responsibility are skills children become familiar with by following a morning routine, not to mention that they also acquire the ability to better manage their time and get organized going from one activity to another.
Elements of a Typical Morning Routine in the Classroom
Although each classroom might have it’s on personal routine, there are a few things that most teachers include in their morning routines. Here is a deeper dive into what regularly transpires during the morning hours of this school day:
Settling In and Getting Set Up: As students enter school, they begin to settle in by unpacking their backpacks. This includes things like lunchboxes, homework and any notes for the teacher.
Students will hang their coats up where they belong and take any necessary items to put them in the appropriate spot, such as lunch bottles. That will help all keep organized and at the same time comatose class.
Attendance and Morning Check-in: All the Teachers gather around to take the attendance on which students are present, and who is absent. This may be done using an enjoyable activity such as putting your name on a board or moving a magnet to move onto one special location. Students might also check-in during morning meetings to express how they feel (by picking a smiley face if happy or neutral if quiet). It gives the teacher information about how every student is managing and creates a welcoming atmosphere.
Morning Work/Instructional Focus: This is a brief morning work or warm-up activity (such as independent practice worksheets, journal prompts, etc.) that can be projected for student completion.
This is usually in the form of a homework task which either reviews things we have learnt or gets them thinking. This is a way to softly start the day and work on skills, without any pressure. Morning Work may consist of a few math problems, an exit ticket writing prompt or even a puzzle.
Time Frame and Daily Schedule Review. Calendar Time which is included during morning routinewhere children look at the date, weatherand any special events of that day This will allow students to track the passage of time and get oriented with where they are in that journey.
This is sometimes when teachers will fill students in on what they can expect during the day what subjects are coming up and any special programs planned. Students need to know when they can do so that it helps them stay prepared and lessens any last-minute surprises.
Morning Meeting or Circle Time: A morning meeting is when the class gets together, in a circle and greets each pupil/teacher, tells news/experiences of things that are good to share with friends etc.
A time for creating community, A time to listen well as a skill takes birth in you or is refined. Beginning your day meeting which can entail things such as a fun fact or story share and some days, students might get to lead part of the Assembly. It is a wonderful way to get started and make everyone feel connected.
Classroom Jobs and Responsibilities: A portion of the duty during our morning routine is assigning or checking classroom jobs. They are meaningful tasks that make the classroom run better and give students a sense of ownership.
Perhaps they get to lead the line, pass out papers or water plants in class. It allows students to feel included and needed by knowing what their role will be for the day.
Review of Classroom Rules and Expectations some teachers go over classroom rules and expectations as students arrive for their morning routine.
This sets the standard for how people are to behave respectfully and refocuses everyone on what today’s goals are. It is an easy way to remind students about the need for collaboration, listening and being nice.
How the Morning Routine Helps Students
The morning routine is not just a time the kids spend until they start their lessons. It IS an essential part of the learning process! Below is the way that your morning routine helps students and supports there success.
Calm Start: The morning routine creates a calm and organized way to kickoff the day. The students do not have to rush because they come into a class and know what there goal is. The environment is calm and less stressful allowing students to feel comfortable and in turn effectively
Develops Good Habits: By having a routine each morning students develop good habits that will stay with them in and out of school. Skills useful for learning and everyday life alike such as organizing materials, checking in, and focusing on tasks (the list goes on…) helped me draw out my graphic organizer of what executive function was. They prepare the kid to be responsible and make him learn how to manage his time which is very necessary for any child, later in this process of life.
Develop Social Skills: Morning meetings and check-ins ask students to speak, share with their peers or listen. These are the moments when most of your social skills and relationships with classmates will strengthen. This is a fantastic opportunity for the students to practice taking turns, being respectful and supporting their classmates.
Wakes up the Mind: The different brain-stimulating exercises (like writing for instance) in your morning routine prepare the mind for learning. Whether this is working through a quick math problem or talking about the weather.
These tasks help transition the mind into learning mode. This paves the way for students to be receptive and hence can learn whatever is being taught easily.
Allows for Structure and Consistency: Being aware of what to expect each day establishes schedules that anchor learners; Knowing how the day will go calms students who might otherwise feel anxious or overwhelmed. This gives students an idea of what to expect and a bit more agency over their experience for the day.
Morning reflection and goal setting: Morning routines usually have moments for students to reflect on their performance the previous day or set small goals for the upcoming work.
This process supports fostering a growth mindset which, in turn,help students learn to see challenges as opportunities for them to get better. Knowing what they did well and how can improve on does wonders for a students attitude to learning.
Household Tasks: The morning routine helps in understanding the logistics of managing their household. Going with the flow of unpacking, check-ins and getting their morning work finished without requiring repeated reminders is all about allowing your students to lead themselves down the path towards ownership in their learning. The source of strengths is self-confidence and independence.
Making the Most of Your Morning Routine
You experience and enjoy everything that it entails, which is the only way you are going to get the most out of your routine. Following are a few ideas for capitalizing on your classroom’s morning routine.
On-Time Arrival: The reason you never want to feel rushed is that arriving on time helps prime the pump for your day. Arriving on time ensures that you do not miss crucial information and can take your seat in a relaxed state.
Pay Attention: Be Present in Every Step of the Routine Unpacking, Checking in or Attending a Morning Meeting etc – staying present allows for full benefit from each activity.
Ask Questions: Do not be afraid to ask your teacher what you should do, or what the schedule looks like. Clear the air during the morning routine This is a good time to clarify any confusion.
Engage in the Morning Meeting: Responding to questions and giving your thoughts. This can make the routine seem much more fun as well as help you get to know some of your classmates.
Maintain Your Area Clean: Use the morning routine to clean your desk and tidy things up. The wire clutter mess in the office, on your desk or work table, is stopping you from focusing and finding what you need right away.
Mornings are for Work: Utilise your morning time as the work vs prep phase of warm-up. For every task do your best and find yourself time to revise what you studied or learn something new.
In conclusion: A Great Morning Routine to Start Your Day Right
One of the best ways to kick-start your day is through the morning routine in class. This is a tool which will assist learners to easily switch the learning mode, develop good habits and bond with fellow learners as well as their educator.
With complete involvement and time management, students can efficiently utilize their morning routine to a great extent to make the learning process beneficial.
The morning routine is not just a checklist it’s the cornerstone on which you build your child’s day at school that should go great, easy and fun! Therefore take every step in stride and be present, your day will then begin as filled with delight!
