Thursday 11 September 2014

30-Day Blogging Challenge: Day 11: Best Part of the Day

Day 11: What is your favourite part of the school day and why?

Despite trying to create classroom routines, my days are aways different. It's hard to narrow down a favourite part of the day, as every day changes.

There is one part of every day that is the same, though. My morning routine is really special to me. It's simple, but it starts the day off right. I meet the students on the yard, they line up in class order (by first name), we make sure we're in a 6S Line (single file, straight, silent, safe, slow, smiling) and head into the school. We greet our VP with a smile as we pass by her and say "Thank You" in sign language to the door holders. The students wait at the classroom door and pick up the mail from their individual mailboxes as they head into the room. My favourite part is that they walk in slowly, so that I have a chance to greet each student by name, make eye contact and start our time together with a cheerful "Good morning".

The school day gets so busy that taking a moment to individually connect with each student is the best part of my day.

Last year, our morning routine also included the students picking up their Chromebooks and filling out a "How Do You Feel Today?" survey. This allowed me to "take the temperature" of the room really quickly and students shared their stories with me.

Starting my day like this helps the students and I connect and build relationships so that we can trust each other, realize we matter and work together effectively.

8 comments:

  1. Today, we waited to get into our room as your line was backed up past our door. I watched your big smile as you greeted everyone and felt happy to have seen it.

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  2. I like the idea of taking the temperature of the class!

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  3. Shauna, I find your post really interesting because your favourite part of the day is my least favourite part. It's not that I don't like meeting and greeting my students because I really, really do. I just always struggle with line-ups. For students that have difficulty focusing and standing still, a line-up can cause so many additional problems. In fact, the longer that students are in line, the more issues seem to arise. I am actually a strong supporter of "free entry." I like that quiet activity in the morning as students come in when they can talk to each other, engage in some provocations for the day, and I can connect with them as they do so. These connections are so important, but I'd just love to have them minus the line-up. How do your students respond to lining up? Have you ever had problems? How do you address them?

    Thanks for getting me thinking!
    Aviva

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    1. Hi Aviva,

      I hear what you are saying, and like Tiiu, I struggled with the concept of line-ups when I started teaching. Both schools I've spent multiple years teaching in have had admin who prescribed to the philosophy of line ups and quiet hallways. One school used Ron Morrish's "With All Due Respect", which I did not agree with.

      However, the school I am currently working in is a K-6 school with a nearly open office, students on different schedules and a very high needs population. On their IEPs, many of our students require "high structure", "consistent routines", "predictable environments" and "preparation for transitions". Understanding what is expected of them as soon as the bell rings helps students who need clear routines to know exactly what their job is. Children are not left standing in lines, as all teachers meet their classes on the yard immediately after breaks and walk into the school with them.

      Like Tiiu said, the structure of lines in our school has helped everyone. The office staff are able to work without being interrupted all day, Kinders are getting used to their classroom routines without disruptions from the hallway, and one classroom we call the "Fishtank" allows for the LST to work with students even while others are passing in the hall.

      Unlike Ron Morrish, I don't believe that this routine "creates" respect, but in our school, it certainly helps students think about how to allow everyone to work in a respectful atmosphere.

      I think it's vital to respond to the needs in each school and establish and modify routines based on the people in the building. For us, lines are working. There is lots of time for students to engage and talk to each other during the day. Students are not left waiting in lines.

      My students this year enjoy their 6S line and help each other to be accountable in getting ready quickly.

      Shauna

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  4. I know what you're saying Aviva. I too questioned the very structured line up order and heaved heavy sighs at safe meetings when repeatedly told we needed to be more quiet on entries and exits. This year, however, something has clicked for our school and we are more quiet on entry, and it is so nice! My students commented on how peaceful they feel in the stairwell. It makes for a nice start.

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    1. I'm glad to hear that Tiiu! I just wonder about the time that it takes to get the students this way. Are all students able to handle this extra time in the line? I wonder if we could still get this quieter entrance without line-ups if we had some teachers spread on the stairwells and in the hallways, quietly talking to students as they come in. I think that our quiet tone helps the students quiet down too. I'm not sure if this would actually work, but I am curious …

      Aviva

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  5. I love the idea of how do you feel today at the beginning of the day? I do it casually as I have 31 students. I might try it in teams and have a team a day share with the class. We always reflect at the end of the day and usually ask about how are they feeling as we end.

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    1. Hi Rola,

      Thanks for the comment. "How Do You Feel Today" was a powerful tool last year and I look forward to starting my new class on their Chromebooks and filling out the survey. It's an excellent way to give every student a voice and learn about what is important in their lives.

      Shauna

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