Morning Routine

 

Every morning involves a predictable routine that the students have been practicing since the first week of school. There are variations within the routine, but for the most part students know what to expect when the enter the classroom. This is a way to save the teacher time at the beginning of the morning as students are self-sufficient and can start the day without direction.

 

The entry bell rings at 8:40 and students make their way upstairs to the classroom. They put their backpacks and coats on their labeled hooks, and drop their home-book into a bin before sitting in line and waiting to be greeted into the classroom. 

 

Once inside, the students are able to pick a book from the browsing bins, go to their assigned rug-spot, and either independently read a picture book of interest or quietly elbow read with a partner. On some mornings there will be an activity or challenge up on the smart board and students have the option of attempting the challenge, or choosing to read.

The independent reading is not the same as a drop everything and read, as students are just spending a couple minutes looking through books of interest before O Canada starts at 9:00.