routines

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Home : 2001 : July : 6

routines
By Karen

I have set routines which I introduce on the first day, and really practice until everyone has a handle on it. Every morning before the final bell rings, it is the student's responsibility to sharpen two pencils and get
their supplies ready. At the beginning of the year they leave them out on their desk for me to check. I also keep a can of sharpened pencils in case there is a problem and a child needs one. If a child does not have two pencils , I loan them and they write a note during free time to their parents. (I keep a note in a folder for them to copy-and one for other supplies, like crayons, scissors,

etc.) If there is really a need and the parent cannot supply school tools, I buy them and give them to the child (discretely). There is no sharpening during class time. If they have pencils and do not get them ready, they get their name on the board as a reminder for tomorrow and they borrow them from my can.One of my class rules is to prepare your school tools every morning. Of course, if some one is tardy I loan them pencils with no penalty. I keep a signout sheet for the restroom. We go as a class in the morning, before lunch and in the afternoon. If there is an emergency, I help them record the time and sign their name. They do the time when they return, also. If there are a large number of "emergencies" then I conference with the parents to see if there is a problem. With the signout sheet, you have a record to refer to. It really cuts down on the problem. Since we go three times a day there really are not many true emergencies. We get drinks each with each restroom trip and if it is especially warm, we will take a drink break.