Classroom routines help support our students by breaking down larger amounts of work or activities into smaller parts. Routines provide the details that are required to carry out certain actions. Combined with visual supports, routines can help students understand the environment and what is expected.
WHY HAVE ROUTINES?
- increases independence
- promotes time management skills
- provides students with a sense of structure
- gives students familiarity so they can focus on learning
- helps maintain consistency in instruction across instructors
- teaches meaning in an environment
- helps prevent disruption and behavior problems
CREATING CLASSROOM ROUTINES
It is important to take the time at the beginning of the school year to explain and demonstrate classroom routines. Teachers must take the time to teach and practice routines regularly to be effective.
Don’t have set routines in your classroom? It’s not too late! You can start any day; be consistent by practicing daily.
TIPS FOR CREATING SUCCESSFUL ROUTINES
- establish routines early to ensure that students know what is expected of them
- keep expectations of the routines brief and understandable
- review routines after breaks or when unsuccessful with certain routines
- have visual supports and visual structure for routines
EXAMPLES OF ROUTINES
Routines can be implemented across environments and people. Here are some examples to implement in the classroom:
- Arriving in the morning
- Unpacking backpack
- Handing in homework at the start of the class period
- Morning work
- Lunch procedures
- Recess
- Lining up
- Center time
- Independent work
- Transitions
- Packing up at the end of the day
