“May you have a strong foundation when the winds of change shift…” -Bob Dylan

From artificial intelligence to standards-based grading to e-learning, the times in education are constantly a-changin’. (My apologies to a fellow Minnesotan.)  These, along with many other trends, represent what is innovative in teaching today – time and research will bear out their effectiveness.  As our heads are turned by the shiny and new, let’s not lose sight of what is foundational for success: structure and classroom routines.

The Benefits of Classroom Routines 

When our goal is to create academic-focused classrooms and foster meaningful relationships with students, we must first establish a safe and supportive environment. The most effective way to build this foundation is through classroom routines that create a predictable, calm classroom setting.

Classroom routines:

• provide a sense of comfort for students, reducing anxiety and behavioral issues
• maximize instructional time by minimizing transitions and disruptions
• help students act with more independence and self-regulation
• allow teachers to focus on instruction rather than constantly managing behavior

Let’s explore three classroom routines for teacher and student success.

Three Essential Classroom Routines

Routine #1: Beginning-of-class 

Benefit:  Start class promptly without the need for behavior modification. This sets the tone for the entire period. 

Tips for a beginning-of-class routine:

• Greet students at the door.  Besides setting a friendly tone, this lets students know you’re ready to teach and they should be ready to learn.

• Have an agenda posted, including materials students need to have out. This clarity helps students prepare mentally for the lesson ahead.

• Set the expectation that students should be in their seats with the necessary materials when the bell rings.  Reinforce or practice as needed.

• Consider adding a brief warm-up activity that students can begin immediately upon entering. This could be a review question, a journal prompt, or a problem related to the day’s lesson. 

Routine #2: Getting everyone’s attention

Benefit: Communicate effectively, at any time, with the class. This issue is especially prevalent during transitions or group work. 

Tips for effective attention-getting:

• Pick one strategy to be “your signal” for attention. Options include a bell, a chime, a clap pattern, call and response, or a visual cue like flicking the lights.

• Practice this method during the first weeks of school.  On the day you introduce it, have students talk with a partner about their weekend plans (or any topic) and use your chosen signal to end their conversations. 

• Set clear expectations for what students should do when they hear or see the attention signal. For example, “When you hear the signal, stop what you’re doing, look at me, and listen for instructions.”  Reinforce regularly.

Routine #3: End-of-class 

Benefit: Maximize instructional time by keeping students engaged longer. Many teachers struggle with students packing up early or becoming distracted as the end of class approaches. 

Tips for maintaining engagement until the last moment:

• Have a regular exit ticket or informal “tell me one thing you learned” activity each day.  This will signal the end of academic time.   

• Be sure to wrap up the lesson early enough for students to pack up without feeling rushed. If you don’t give them enough time, they’ll take matters into their own hands.

• We recommend you dismiss the students, not the bell.  If so, you’re also in charge of making sure they leave with enough time to get to their next class. 

Individual Routines

While class-wide routines are crucial, it may be helpful to establish individualized routines for students who need extra support. 

These could include:

• A regular check-in with a student at designated times, like work time or while taking notes

• An arrangement for a student to work in an alternate location during certain class activities

• A specialized behavior management system (like a behavior contract) established before class

Make sure individual routines with students work for you.  Don’t overcommit yourself–it can be difficult to maintain individualized routines in a busy class.  

Conclusion

What about the notion that routines create a rigid, joyless environment?  On the contrary, routines support a creative and interactive learning experience for students by reducing time spent on management issues.  And when students know the expected routine, they are more comfortable and able to be more independent.