Thrive in Action Blog Series: Class Community, GPS 3 - Routines

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The Thrive In Action blog series highlights practical applications for Great Pedagogy Strategies (GPS) within the EdConnective Thrive Framework, summarized here. The EdConnective Thrive Framework is unique in that it can be applied to teaching actions seamlessly whether learning is in-person or remote. This week we get more familiar with:

Class Community, GPS 3 - Routines: Class routines (entry, do now, materials, submitting assignments, verbal participation, partner and group work, exit, etc.) are well-planned, communicated, modeled and practiced.

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Routines are the backbone of a classroom. They decide how, when, and where students learn. Routines are not established just to make teachers' lives easier. They are created to increase learning time for students and free up time and mental space, so students can learn. They allow students and teachers to thrive. Class routines are well-planned, communicated, modeled and practiced (entry, do now, materials, turning in assignments, verbal participation, partner and group work, exit, etc.).

I am an incredibly routine person and being so helps me to get the most out of my day. Just like our students we, as adults, plan out our day so we know what we are doing, when we are doing it and how we need to do it. In the moment this allows us to get it done quickly and efficiently. Think about your morning routine as an adult. You probably do the same thing every day, at almost the same time. For me my alarm goes off, I hop into the shower, get dressed, start the coffee, walk my dog, finish the coffee and then dry my hair; now I am ready for the day! I can get all that done in less than an hour because I have it planned out. I know that drying my hair after the walk allows it to partially air dry and gives me back some time. For me, routines make life easier and allow me to achieve more!

Sample class entry routine: In Building

  1. Students have assigned seats

  2. Teacher stands at threshold to see both the hall and the class; greet every student at the door by name in a positive tone, hand them a “do now” paper

  3. Start timer for do now immediately as students enter (typically 5 min or less)

  4. Accountability for work - circulate to give students a stamp (not to pass out papers)

Sample class routine: Virtual

  1. Teach students to mute and unmute themselves.

  2. Teach students how to use the chat box.

  3. Teach students how to use the raised hand feature.

  4. Teach students how to greet each other.

Download a summary of the EdConnective Thrive Framework here. EdConnective provides 1:1, personalized non-evaluative coaching to teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators, as well as small group coaching and large group training.

Amy Ferry