Functional Routine to Meet Schoolchildren’s Needs

Daily Transitions

Lesson plan is an essential consideration for educators. Every teacher needs a comprehensive and functional plan in order to handle the class effectively and ensure that learners meet class objectives. Having a routine and involving children in establishing class norms are pre-requisites towards learning.

Morning Routine

The first day of the school is special for both teachers and children. I will make sure that everything is organized, and both parents and learners know the protocol upon entering the school premises. I will ensure that I check weather updates, so that I can advise parents accordingly on the most appropriate clothing for the learners. The classrooms will be arranged in the standard set-up because the children will be required to sit as I greet and talk to parents. I will also provide the children with engaging educational videos from a screen to ensure they are occupied while I am discussing various issues with their parents.

Upon entering, I will record both the parents and their children’s names before proceeding to the next items on the list. I will provide a place for the children to place their bag packs and a rack for hanging their coats. I will hold the morning meeting in the class to ensure the lunch will be served in a designated dining area at precisely half past noon. During the afternoon sessions, I will hold brief meetings with each parent, accompanied by their children. When meeting with both the parents and their children, I will emphasize the parents’ need to take an interest in the learner’s homework. I will advise the parent to ensure that they inspect the child’s work every day after school to ensure that all the assigned task have been done.

Classroom Norms

Having classroom rules and norms is an essential step during matriculation because it allows the learners to get conversant with the teacher’s expectations. Kluth (2017) explains that hanging rules and norms at strategic places in the school and the classroom is an essential step to ensure that learners are often reminded of the codes of conduct. When structuring the rules, I will require learners to develop suggestions for the norms they expect in the class and provide a brief explanation for their recommendations. After collecting all the tips, I will discuss with them both the parents and the children in selecting the norms which should be applied in class. The selection process will consider the opinion of the majority concerning the proposed rules and regulations.

I will designate a day or session to familiarize both parents and learners on the school rules and regulations and the logic behind them. For instance, it is not merely enough to tell children that it is impolite to shout in the class. The teacher should explain that shouting can cause distractions to other learners. Such an approach will ensure that the children internalize the rules. I will also provide the parents with copies of school rules and regulations. The reason for such a system is to ensure parents can also take time and discuss the provisions with their children. The following is a list of the class norms:

1. All learners should arrive at school on time.
2. There will be two breaks a day. Tea break at 10 am, lunch break at 12:30 pm.
3. Movement during class hours will be limited to cases where learners want to visit the washroom.
4. Playing in the classroom is discouraged.
5. Eating during class hours is not allowed.

Classroom Procedures

1. At the beginning of the day, I will check that all the learners are okay and have all the materials they need for the day’s lesson. I will then inspect whether they have done the homework assigned the previous day and whether the parents have signed against the work, confirming that they assisted their children. Before the class begins, I will take the children through the day’s learning objectives. At the end of the day, children will wait to be picked by their parents or board the school bus in an orderly manner.
2. I will always require the children to line up for transitions from the class to the dining hall, where they will be expected to take their lunch. Each student has a registration number, and they will be required to line up according to their registration number, starting with the lowest to the highest number. The essence is to ensure that they move in an orderly manner.
3. Restroom breaks will take place after every lesson to ensure that the children are not too pressed. Since they are young, there is likelihood that some might be afraid to request for permission to visit restrooms. Therefore, I will allow them to take breaks after every 90-minute lesson to ensure that they can relieve themselves accordingly. In addition, the breaks are essential to give the children time to play.
4. I will have a pencil sharpener at my side at all times. Any learner who wants to use the sharpener will do so after asking for permission. The children will not be allowed to handle the sharpener without the supervision of a teacher. Only one child will be allowed to use a sharpener at any one time. The rest of the children should sit and wait for their turn.
5. The hallway should not be a place to engage in running games or any other games. Learners should move in an orderly manner at all times. No learners are allowed to stay in the hallway during class hours or when the rest of the school is at the dining hall having meals. The children should always move in a single file when using the hallway.
6. Children will be assigned homework after the end of every school day. The children will be expected to handle the assignments at home with their parents or other caregivers. The parents should always sign against the homework to confirm that the child did it independently with assistance from an adult. Homework assignments will always be checked at the beginning of the school day.
7. At the dining hall, learners will be expected to sit at their designated places on time and wait to be served. All the children should be served first before anyone begins eating. After eating, the learners will leave the tables quietly and slowly and head back to the class for further instructions from the teacher. Moving around when other children are eating might cause disturbance.
8. During physical education lessons, all learners must have a games kit consisting of a t-shirt and sweat pants. The shoes should be canvas without straps. Any student without the proper games kit will not be allowed to take any physical lessons. Such a student will sit on a nearby bench to avoid any potential injuries. However, it is essential for all learners to have their games kit.
9. Any child who breaks the class norms will be punished by being required to sit in designated place to allow them to contemplate on the mistake. The detention will allow the learner to reflect upon their mistake. The time spent in the detention area will depend on the seriousness of the offense. Punishment will be geared towards ensuring that the learner understands the mistake and rectifies.
10. In case a child does not feel well, they will be required to report to the teacher, after which their parents will be informed before being taken to the infirmary. If the condition persists, they will be taken to a hospital with permission from their parents. Parents will also be required to provide the medical history of children so that learners with special conditions are cared for effectively.

Class organization is an essential consideration for both educators and learners because it nurtures mutual understanding. The teacher should come up with a routine that is functional and gives consideration to the needs of the learners. There is also the need to establish rules and regulations so that class sessions are characterized with order.

Reference

Kluth, P. (2017). Teaching students on the autism spectrum in the inclusive classroom. National Professional Resources.