Observation and Description
There are different classroom routines demonstrated in the observed classroom. First, the teacher creates an orderly and respectful environment by introducing the students in the classroom; she helps the students to feel comfortable in the classroom, creates enthusiasm by highlighting future accomplishments, communicates a sense of trust, directs students as they practice procedures, and adapts procedures to be proactive. The classroom routines make a complex classroom environment simple.
The following are the implementation methods of routines used in the observed classroom. First, for the proper arrangement of desks, the teacher has demonstrated that it is their responsibility to create an orderly environment. The teacher illustrates that it is the responsibility of the children to make good arrangements of their materials such as books. Children may adapt this habit and maintain it up to the last day of their school life, after receiving necessary instructions. Moreover, the children will be expected to check their attendance in the classroom on a daily basis. Helping students feel comfortable in the classroom is another routine described in the observed classroom. The teacher describes various facilities in the classroom. For instance, the teacher explains that a round table is used as a listening center. The other important material in helping students to feel comfortable in the classroom is the sign up book used to register the names of students who want to borrow any material from the class. A schedule is used to make children familiar with class routines. Moreover, the teacher creates enthusiasm in the children by highlighting future accomplishments. This makes children feel contented as they prepare to learn, it also assists in orienting the students in various classroom activities that they will undertake. Communicating a sense of trust is a routine used by the teacher to make children feel some sense of trust in her. For example, in the observed classroom, the teacher is involved in making students lineup, boys on one side and girls on the other side. The involvement of the teacher excites the students making them have a feeling that they are members of the classroom. Finally, by adapting procedures to be proactive, the teacher encourages the students by giving them recommendations on their achievements.
Analysis, exploration and reasoning
By introducing the children to the classroom routines, they familiarize themselves with the classroom schedules and they will be able to complete the activities daily. Furthermore, the routines will assist them to understand expectations. The children will have some level of freedom that will result into increased rates of engagement in classroom activities. The classroom routines will also assist the children to minimize behavior problem by encouraging effective behavior and discouraging bad behavior.
The purpose of the classroom routine is to help the children to understand the classroom activities since the routines are repetitive. Moreover the children will be able to predict the next activities and feel prepared and secure. Consistent classroom routines facilitate the understanding of children of the classroom environment expectations. In addition the routines make the children to get engaged, become more attentive in class and learn new concepts.
Connections to other effective teaching practices
The main purpose of creating an orderly and respectful environment is to keep track of the work of children and behavior. Moreover, by helping children to feel comfortable in the classroom, they will increase their ability to participate as members of the classroom. Moreover, creating enthusiasm by highlighting future accomplishments is very important to the success of children in a classroom when they are ready to participate through involvement and willingness. Enthusiasm assists in developing the level of children’s involvement in class discussion. When a teacher communicates a sense of trust, children may feel welcome and trusted as part of the class. Furthermore, directing students as they practice procedures in a learning environment enables them to be very active in class and be engaged in learning activities. The routine develops a meaningful learning process. Children will learn best when they interact and engage in programs that value their continuity. Adapting procedures to be proactive make children feel accepted.
The procedures done during the day routine encompasses the following steps and procedures:
Beginning of the day
- Entering the classroom and preparing for the activities of the day;
- Students take attendance and take up money for lunch or snack;
- Students listen to announcements and say The Pledge of Allegiance.
End of the day
- Students review their homework assignments to take home
- Students pass out all the paperwork to take home
- Students pack their book bags and clean up around desk area place chairs on desk
Transition between activities
- Children become present during the first phase of the transition routine
- Children put all the supplies away at the end of each activity, and prepare for the next activity
- Students learn the procedure until they grasp it, quietly, and orderly
Distribution of materials
- Students assist in preparing a work sheet for recording book information
- Students arrange supplies and materials
- Students prepare for tests and work sheets, and graded papers
Field trip
- Students are guaranteed permission by their parents to attend the field trip by having parents to sign a paper
- Students provide their name to the teacher to prepare a list of those permitted to attend the field trip
- Students submit their permission slips to the teacher
Recess
- Students prohibit dangerous and aggressive behavior
- Students only play in their area
- Students become aware of what other students are doing while on the play ground
Fire or disaster drills
- Students become silent and attentive
- Students follow directions they have been taught
- Students stand push in chairs and move quickly and quietly
Appropriateness of the routines
The beginning of the day routine is to prepare students for the activities of the day. This routine enables them to nurture the classroom environment of the day. When they come in to the room they know to unpack, turn in any homework and get everything ready to begin class.
The end of the day routine is necessary because it enables the students to prepare for the next day classroom activities before they arrive. It makes the classroom structure to be more effective. The end of the day routine is to assist students in deriving meaning of the day’s activities. By cleaning up their area and putting their chairs on the desk helps the custodians come in and clean the room for the next day.
Transition between activities routine is important because students review the day’s activities up to the moment. This routine helps the students to review memories and develop a habit of reviewing their classroom work. It also assists in planning for the following day’s activities. It shows them a sense of responsibility for doing what they need to know. This transition has to be done in a quite orderly manner.
The distribution of materials routine enables students to identify materials that will assist them to save time. In most classrooms you have groups of students that sit together. All of the students are assigned different jobs to do. One of them will be responsible for making sure all the students in the group have all supplies that are needed.
The field trip routine assists the students to respond to various conceptions that are produced during the field trip. The field trip routine enhances the student’s home and school experiences motivate them. If they do not do their job of getting parents’ permission on the slip provided they will not be able to attend. This is showing them to take on some responsibility for themselves.
Recess routine enables students to have a break of their daily routines. They have to take on some responsibilities and make the right choices in order to have this privilege. The students have to follow rules for the playground or set out with the teacher during this time.
The fire or disaster drills routine is very essential in classroom management. If used appropriately, the routine provides students with the necessary information on how to handle a fire hazard and the safety precautions to take in case of a fire breakout.