Creative Classroom Routines Support Teacher TimeManagement and Learner

Creative Classroom Routines: Support Teacher Time-Management and Learner Success MN ABE Summer Institute Friday, August 19 th, 2011 10: 15– 11: 45 Sarah Hernandez – sarah. m. hernandez@gmail. com Adult Education Instructor Neighborhood House

Let’s Get Started! At each table, there will be: Only One Pink Card Holder Many Blue Card Holders Do you have a PINK CARD? Please ask your group this question: “What is your favorite classroom routine? ” Creative Classroom Routines

Share Out Get ready – Pink card holders will share one good idea from your table with the whole group! Let’s switch! Pink card holders, give your card to a new person and take their blue card. Creative Classroom Routines

What are Routines? • Routines can be the same thing done at the same time on the same day, or • Routines can be the same way an activity is conducted, whenever the activity is done • Routines can start the class period, end the class period, or come anywhere in between • Routines can be flexible and evolve with time and feedback Creative Classroom Routines

What’s in a routine, anyway? Write your question at the top of the poster paper. Choose your group’s TOP THREE answers to your question and write them down. 5 minutes! Creative Classroom Routines

Why use classroom routines? Creative Classroom Routines

Participants’ Responses: Why use classroom routines? • In three words: – Consistency – Predictability – Efficiency • Adult educators were unanimous in their agreement that routines provide these elements to their classroom Creative Classroom Routines

Can classroom routines save time? How? Creative Classroom Routines

Participants’ Responses: Can classroom routines save time? How? • Yes, they can save time! • Students help with materials – this makes distributing them go faster • Routines give the teacher time to prepare while the students are working – because the students know what to do • Routines reduce the number of “annoying” repetitive questions the teacher has to answer, such as “What are we doing? ” “What should I do? ” “What’s going on? ” Creative Classroom Routines

How are learners affected by classroom routines? Creative Classroom Routines

Participants’ Responses: How are learners affected by classroom routines? • Anticipation • Attendance – students are more likely to come to class • Creates a collaborative environment between the students and the teacher • Students feel involved • Opportunity to learn skills • Routines save time • Increase students’ comfort – they know what to expect • Build classroom relationships • Create an active, student-centered class Creative Classroom Routines

How do classroom routines help teachers with lesson planning? Creative Classroom Routines

Participants’ Responses: How do classroom routines help teachers with lesson planning? • Provide structure, consistency and predictability • Provide a discipline component to the classroom • Routines set expectations of students, saving time for the teacher • More time to plan other activities Creative Classroom Routines

How do classroom routines affect classroom management? Creative Classroom Routines

Participants’ Responses: How do classroom routines affect classroom management? • Predictable routines make students feel more confident and involved • Make good use of time • Increase student ownership – they monitor each other because everyone knows the routine • Routines minimize disruptions from late students or new students to the class Creative Classroom Routines

Are classroom routines difficult to implement? Why or why not? Creative Classroom Routines

Participants’ Responses: Are classroom routines difficult to implement? Why or why not? • They can be, because of interruptions during the routine, or the desire to use teachable moments – they can take up a lot of time • Implementing routines takes practice, discipline, commitment and time • It’s worth the effort – routines start to pay off quickly Creative Classroom Routines

Sharing Our Expertise Take 5 minutes to write about one of your best classroom routines on your card. What is the name of your routine? What are the basic steps you follow? Why does this routine work for you? Creative Classroom Routines

Find Three Routines Use the graphic organizers to interview 3 people NOT at your table about the routines they use. We have 10 minutes for this activity. 7 minutes left! 4 minutes left! Please return to your tables. Creative Classroom Routines

Talk About Routines Discuss the results of your interviews with your colleagues. Do you, or could you, use these routines in your classroom? If you wouldn’t use a routine, why? Creative Classroom Routines

What makes a great routine? What do great routines have in common? Creative Classroom Routines

Routines and Classroom Management Implementing daily routines gives teachers more time to plan lesson content. Routines make activities predictable, helping students focus on lesson content. In what other ways do classroom routines help you and your students thrive? Creative Classroom Routines

Thank you very much! Please take a moment to fill out your Personal Enrichment Plan worksheets. I appreciate your feedback! Please take the instructor evaluation survey at http: //surveymonkey. com/s/DQDPTVW Thank you for your input and time! Creative Classroom Routines