Ep 08: Classroom Routines to Teach the First Week of School

In this episode, we're diving into the world of classroom routines – not just for elementary classrooms, but for high school as well. Routines provide the backbone of a well-functioning classroom, offering clarity, consistency, and comfort. Join us as we explore insights from two education giants, Harry Wong and Angela Watson, and learn how to establish effective routines that make your high school math classroom run like a well-oiled machine.


Inside we cover.... The Top 3 Routines for the First Week of School

• Beginning Class Routines
  • Greeting students at the door to assess energy levels
  • Clarifying material expectations and daily goals
  • Directing students to their seats and reviewing the day's plan
  • Utilizing warm-up activities for engagement
  •  Establishing a visual flow using slides

• Routines for Responsible Tech Usage
  • Teaching responsible phone usage instead of outright bans
  • Implementing routines for phone pocket usage or "out of sight, out of mind"
  • Strike policy for inappropriate phone use
  • Setting clear expectations and having a designated protocol
• Routines for Taking Effective Breaks
  • Promoting autonomy in deciding when breaks are needed
  • Simple and straightforward "take a break" routine
  • Monitoring potential abuse of breaks and adjusting expectations
  • Incorporating whole-class breaks for resetting

Resources Mentioned

• Harry Wong The First Days of School
• Angela Watson 40 Hour Teacher Workweek

Routines and procedures benefit teachers and students alike, providing clarity, confidence, and comfort. They're the secret to a smoothly running high school math classroom. Don't forget to join the conversation in The Modern Math Teachers movement and share your own classroom routines.

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More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

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