GETTING BACK INTO THE ROUTINE

On a normal year, coming back to school after a break can be TOUGH. This year - add Covid, switching back and forth from in-person to distance learning, quarantining, and an extended holiday break, it’s almost impossible to get back into the routine, especially for kids.

Here are FIVE ways to get you and your students back into a routine:

1. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.  Practice literally everything - even when it seems silly, we promise it is worth your time.  I don’t know about you, but we have been out of school for 2.5 months and we have all gotten 1 or 2 new students. Practicing now will save you time and sanity later.  

Thanks @lettersfrom4th for this amazing idea!  (She recommended going over each item throughout the week. Each time you mention it in class or review the expectations or rules, put a tally mark. After 5 tallies, check that item off!) GENUIS!! Check her out at - www.lettersfrom4thgrade.com.

2. Prepare extras of everything {for the inevitable new student}. Prepare school supplies, copies, folders, and FUN! Before jumping right back into the curriculum with full force, be sure to sprinkle in some fun here and there. Believe me, we’ve been there -- not having folders and supplies ready for the new kid stresses you and the kids out. So always be prepared.

Click these images to check out this easy, FUN Snowman Directed Drawing!

Grab this FREEBIE directed drawing activity for something FUN to do or as a brain break for you kiddos!  Click HERE to grab our Directed Drawing BUNDLE.

3. Plan for student-driven down time.  Students will be tired, restless, and hard to motivate. So… find things they enjoy, take the time to share, and allow your students and yourself to slowly transition back into school-mode. Things are going to take longer than they should, so prepare for that when writing your plans for the weeks ahead.

Use journal prompts or random, silly questions for morning meeting time to get your students talking to you and talking to one another. You can learn SO much from reading your students' journals. Grab this PowerPoint with 100 silly questions and journal prompts by clicking on the image.

4. Celebrate the small stuff. Over-praise the students. Use peer-modeling to remind students of simple procedures they may have forgotten. Let students know you’re impressed that they remember their lunch number, or how to sign into their technology, or EVEN writing their name on their paper. Letting students know they are remember expectations can ease nerves and can help them take pride in their work.

5. Be easy on yourself.  It’s going to be hard - getting up, making lunch, writing plans, and wearing normal clothes!  We say it all the time - Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

As always,  Keep Flockin’ it!

FlockStar Teachers

{Kaysin & Robyn}