Why Are Routines Important in the Classroom?

Routines are the backbone of an effective classroom. They create an environment where students feel secure, empowered, and engaged, optimizing their learning experiences. Throughout the day, students will learn about different routines they must follow. These may include routines for walking in the hallway, how to sharpen a pencil, or the right way to transition from one class to another. So why are routines important to teach to your students? Let’s take a quick look at some of the benefits.

• Consistency – Routines establish a predictable structure, creating a sense of stability and security for students. Knowing what to expect fosters a conducive learning environment.
• Time Management – Routines help manage time effectively. They allocate specific periods for different activities, maximizing instructional time and minimizing disruptions.
• Establishing Expectations – Routines set clear expectations for behavior and tasks. They help students understand what is expected of them, promoting a sense of responsibility and accountability.

Let’s Be Social – Stories for the Classroom 

Many children may need reminders on the proper steps to ending their day. The excitement of going home may distract students from the duties they need to complete at the end of the school day.

Teach Starter has created a printable mini-book to help your students remember each task they need to complete before going home. Each page is designed in a simple manner with real-life photographs to help students make connections and understand the examples. In this mini-book, students will learn strategies such as:

• I put things back where they belong.
• I put messages and important homework into my backpack.
• I listen to my teacher’s directions.

How to Get Your SEL Mini-Book

If you are ready to add this social emotional reader to your collection of resources, head on over to the green download button! Here you will find the quick-print PDF file and the editable Google Slides version of this resource. If selecting the Google Slides option, please note that you will first be prompted to make a copy of the resource to your personal drive before accessing it.

After printing the pages, cut them in half along the dotted line, stack them and staple them along the left-hand side to secure.

Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter collaborator, contributed to this resource.

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities to shorten your lesson planning time:  

teaching resource

Empathy Social Stories Interactive Activity

Help your students determine empathetic behaviors with this interactive game designed for 1st and 2nd grade students.

teaching resource

Social Stories - Activity Cards

Help your students build social skills and practice concepts learned within our social stories with a set of printable task cards.

teaching resource

Calming Down Mini-Book

Help your students to keep calm when they are experiencing heightened emotions with this social story mini-book.