Reassuring Routines Build Student Confidence

by MiddleWeb ·

Kelly Owens

Published 09/07/2022 · Updated 11/08/2022

The article "Reassuring Routines Build Student Confidence" by Kelly Owens, published on MiddleWeb, discusses the significance of establishing consistent classroom routines to foster a positive learning environment. Owens emphasizes that routines help create a sense of security and predictability, enabling students to focus on learning rather than on the logistics of classroom management.

Owens begins by illustrating how routines can be as essential in the classroom as they are in other aspects of life. She draws an analogy between her experience in a spin class and how students benefit from routines that become second nature. Just as a predictable warm-up in spin class prepares her for more challenging exercises, classroom routines prepare students to engage in complex learning tasks.

The article explains that routines help students feel secure and confident because they reduce uncertainty. Owens identifies several types of routines that are crucial for creating a supportive classroom environment:

1. Administrative Routines: These routines include procedures for taking attendance, sharpening pencils, and distributing materials. Owens highlights the importance of planning these routines in advance to minimize disruptions and maximize instructional time.

2. Instructional Routines: These routines help transition students from one activity to another smoothly. For example, moving from whole-class discussions to small-group work requires a clear procedure to ensure that time is not wasted.

3. Response Routines: Owens discusses the need for routines that keep all students engaged during class discussions. She provides examples such as using a specific phrase to gain students' attention or having students use signals to indicate they are ready to participate.

4. Material Routines: This includes routines for turning in assignments and organizing materials. Owens suggests having clearly labeled bins for students to drop off their work, which reduces confusion and keeps the classroom organized.

The article emphasizes that routines should be taught, modeled, and reinforced consistently. By doing so, students begin to internalize these routines, leading to a smoother and more productive classroom experience. Owens also suggests making routines visible by posting them in the classroom or providing students with printed copies to refer to as needed.

Owens concludes by discussing the broader benefits of routines, which include improving classroom management, reducing anxiety, and increasing instructional time. By shifting from the unexpected to the reassuring, teachers create an environment where students feel safe and are more willing to take on challenges and engage in learning.

For further reading, you can access the full article on MiddleWeb here.

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com