There are dozens of routines students will eventually need to know.
You do not need to teach all of them on the first day of school.
In fact, trying to cover every procedure at once usually results in a lot of talking—and very little students actually remember.
Instead, focus each day on the routines students need to be successful right now. Teach them before students need to use them, provide time to practice, and revisit them as the week continues.
Here is one way to think about your first five days.
Day One: Start With the Non-Negotiables
Ask yourself: What must students be able to do for today to work?
Your list might include:
Entering the classroom
Putting away belongings
Responding to an attention signal
Transitioning to the next activity
Preparing for dismissal
The specific routines will look different in kindergarten, fifth grade, and middle school. Focus on the few things your students will actually need to do—not every routine they might use this year.
Day Two: Strengthen the Flow of the Day
Begin by revisiting the routines introduced on Day One. Notice what students are doing successfully, then provide another opportunity to practice anything that still feels awkward or unclear.
Next, introduce routines that help students navigate more of the day, such as:
Getting and returning materials
Moving through shared spaces
Beginning independent work
Asking for help
Using the restroom
Teach each routine before students encounter that part of the day.
Day Three: Prepare Students to Learn Together
Once students can navigate the basic flow of the classroom, begin introducing routines for working with others.
Depending on your grade level, these might include:
Finding a partner
Moving into groups
Sharing materials
Taking turns
Participating in a class discussion
Returning attention to the teacher
Continue revisiting previously taught routines. Students may need more practice with some—and that is completely normal.
Day Four: Build Greater Independence
By Day Four, you can begin teaching routines that help students take greater ownership of their learning.
You might focus on:
What to do when work is finished
How to manage supplies or technology
How to transition between learning tasks
How to clean and reset a workspace
How to find missed directions or assignments
Pay attention to where students still rely heavily on adult reminders. That may be a sign that a routine needs to be revisited or practiced again.
Day Five: Practice, Adjust, and Launch
Day Five is not the finish line.
Use it to reflect on the routines you have introduced:
What is working well?
Where are students still unsure?
Which routines need more practice?
Is there anything that needs to be adjusted?
What new routines will students need next week?
Celebrate the progress students have made and clarify that these routines are now part of how your classroom works.
Then keep going.
The First Five Days Are Only the Beginning
Teaching a routine once does not guarantee that it will stick for the entire year.
Students will need reminders, positive feedback, and opportunities to practice. After long breaks—or anytime a routine begins to fall apart—they may need to revisit it completely.
That does not mean you failed to teach it the first time. Routines require ongoing attention to remain strong.
The goal is not to fit every procedure into the first five days. It is to build a strong foundation, add new routines as students need them, and reinforce those routines until students can use them confidently and independently.
Want a clear process for doing that? Our MODELing for Success course walks you through how to introduce, practice, and reinforce routines and procedures that last well beyond the first week of school.
Written by Dana Januszka and Sarah Fillion 2020
