Proficient Establish and maintain orderly and workable routines to create an environment where students time is spent on learning tasks.
Establishing and maintain orderly and workable routines to create an environment where students time is spent on learning tasks is and important aspect of teaching. The more time students spend on task and engaging with the learning content the richer their learning experience will be.
In order for the majority of student time to be spent on learning tasks, clear routines and expectations need to be setup from the beginning of the year. These routines and expectations need to be revisited throughout the year as they may need to change and adapt based on the students in the class and the changing nature of the classroom.
This year in my Reception class I have set up a number of simple routines throughout the day to help maximise the time spent on learning tasks. Below are a couple of examples.
Example 1: Morning Routine. In the morning when students arrive into the classroom they go through their morning routine which is as follows: - Unpack bag. This includes putting their lunchbox in the fridge, water bottle on their desk and their bag in the corridor. - Morning work. Students then spend the next 15 minutes reading their levelled reader to themselves, their parents or a staff member or following the task in their writing journal. Parents are encouraged to stay and participate during this time. Once time is up they pack up their things and sit on the floor. - Roll and daily schedule. Now we complete the roll and go through the schedule for the day. - Date/Days of the Week/Months of the Year. Together we write the date up on the board and listen to/sing a song about the days of the week and months of the year.
Example 2. Relaxation. At the end of break time when the students enter back into the classroom with me they follow the following routine. - Put their hats in their trays. - Find a quite spot on the floor where they can be still and not talk. We complete relaxation for around 10 minutes depending on the activities of the day and how the students are. During this time I complete any 1:1 testing that is required (running records etc.).
Setting up classroom expectations is another integral part of ensuring that student time is spent on learning tasks. The goal is to create a class environment where students remain on tasks and feel safe and supported to take risks with their learning. Building independence and self motivation in students is also important in creating an environment where student time is spent on learning tasks.
This independence and self motivation, plus remaining on tasks, is particularly important during guided reading sessions and writing groups, where the teacher works with a group (on a rotation basis) while the other students engage in relevant tasks.
At the beginning of the term I sat down with the students and together as a group we set the expectations for these lessons. We discussed what these lessons would look like, sound like and feel like. From there we decided on what the teachers role and the students role is during thins time.
Below is some photos of what our guided reading and writing groups lessons will look like, sound like and feel like and what our roles during this time are.
Looks like
Sounds like
Feels like
Student's role
Teacher's role
A copy of the warning charts that correspond with the schools behaviour management policy.
From here we also established a routine for these lessons which is displayed in our classroom as a reminder for all students and staff.