The first hour: establishing morning routines that work is the key to getting off to a good start from the very first hour. (Back-to-School Kit).

GREAT WAYS WITH MORNING GEETINGS

Mornings can be the most hectic part of the day--you try to meet the varying needs of students as they arrive. At the same time you often have last-minute preparations to do before the day begins. Yet making contact with each student at the beginning and close of each day makes a big difference. Make it a routine, and a priority, in your classroom. These ideas from teachers can help!

Meeting & Greeting 

Try this good-morning ritual to ensure that each child is greeted by name. At the start of the school day, I ask one child to begin by simply saying "Good morning" to a fellow student in the room, greeting him or her by name. That child then chooses the next person to greet. Over the year we learn many styles of greetings, as well as greetings in different languages. Students can personalize their greetings to suit the occasion (e.g., "Howdy Partner, Rachel" or "Buenos Dias, Lucas").

--Denise Amos, Crestwood Elementary School, Crestwood, KY

Make Contact

I believe in making contact with each child as he or she crosses the threshold of the classroom by giving them one of the three H's: a hug, a handshake, or a high five. The children love it, and it's a great ritual to carry out each morning as they come in to the classroom and at the end of the day when they prepare to go home. As well, which "H" a child chooses often tells me about how he or she is feeling that day.

--Luanne Burlingame, Morgan Road Elementary School, Liverpool, NY

Show Enthusiasm

Each morning when my students enter the room, they know to seek me out, look me in the eye, and say, "Good morning Ms. O'Neill" In return, I respond with an enthusiastic "Good morning!" Similarly, at the close of each day, just as the students are ready to leave to catch the bus or meet their parents, I shake every child's hand before he or she leaves the room. A simple gesture that takes two minutes to complete, this allows me to give any last-minute kudos or instructions to the students. Not only do we enjoy the feeling of camaraderie that this daily routine gives us, but I feel that I am instilling in all of my students an important life skill that will make a lasting impression on anyone who interacts with them in the future.

--Jennifer O'Neil, Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia, PA

When a Student Is Absent

Acknowledge class members who are absent by singing this song (to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"). Knowing their absences are noticed will make each child feel special.

Where is __________?

Where is __________?

He's (she's) not here.

He's (she's) not here.

Hope he's (she's) here tomorrow.

Hope he's (she's) here tomorrow.

We miss him (her)!

We miss him (her)!

Jackie Clarke, Liverpool, NY

MORNING ROUTINES THAT WORK

Establishing routines is important to creating an effective and positive classroom, Routines help teachers manage the busy world of the classroom and they help children to feel comfortable, to know what is expected of them, and to meet those expectations.

Morning Jobs

In my classroom, we call them morning jobs--jobs that need to be completed by each student within the first five minutes of each day. These jobs are written daily on an easel that is located in a visible location. From the moment the first student walks in on the first day of school, I ask him or her to "read the easel." Morning jobs the first day might read: 1. Leave all your school supplies in your backpack. 2. Hang up your coat and backpack. 3. Find your desk. 4. Be ready to tell the teacher if you're having hot or cold lunch today. 5. Say "hello" to at least two people sitting next to or near you. 6. Be in your seat and ready to go by 9:10.

Stephanie Etherly, Oak Creek School, Tigard, OR

Role-Play Expectations

Every morning as they enter the classroom, my students read the list of prompts on the chalkboard. On the list are things to do before the day begins--for example, check in with the teacher, purchase lunch tickets, sharpen pencils, turn in homework, prepare a paper, put on P.E. shoes. I start this routine on the first day of school. I walk students through the process by role-playing and modeling my expectations (with characters and props!). Since I teach a fifth- and sixth-grade blend, I can beg the talents of my returning sixth graders to assist me with a typical morning scenario.

Carolyn McBee, Uplands Elementary, Lake Oswego, OR

Librarians & Scientists

Mornings in my first- and second grade classroom are a time to take care of housekeeping details. I pair a first and second grader for each task. The class secretaries rake attendance, the librarians check in the books that children return, the scientists record the temperature and tend to the pets, and the class managers hand out student folders and lead the class in warm-up exercises.

A Presidential Routine

I rotate classroom jobs among all students to keep the morning running smoothly, and give students responsibilities and opportunities for leadership. There are four main jobs that change weekly. The President calls the class to order, then asks everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. (We do a regular version on Monday, a class-paraphrased version on Wednesday, and sign language on Friday.) The Secretary conducts the lunch and milk count. The Ambassador is the day's messenger and handles the distribution of papers, such as handouts, fliers, or graded work. The Vice President is the editor of the week's classroom newsletter and stands in for any person who is absent that day and cannot complete his or her duties. This morning routine simplifies things for any substitute teacher who comes into our room, because the students know exactly what to do.

Carolyn McBee, Uplands Elementary, Lake Oswego, OR

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 TIPS FOR A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION

1 Smile. Smiling shows that you are comfortable with your role as teacher and that you want your students to be comfortable in your classroom.

2 Dress for success. Students notice what you are wearing. Be neat, pressed, and tucked in. It shows your professionalism and your self-respect.

3 Meet your students at the door. Welcome them as they enter the classroom to show them that you are prepared and ready for them to enter. Say an enthusiastic "Good Morning." A Ask students to sit when they arrive.

4 They can wait to sharpen pencils, investigate the classroom, or ask questions. This helps you create a good working climate as soon as possible.

5 Begin immediately after the bell rings. By staffing right in, you let your students know that you take classroom time very seriously. You are eager to begin the journey you will take together this school year.

6 Engage in an icebreaker activity that gets children moving around the classroom and thinking about the learning to come. (See our First Day activities, page 53.)

7 Put students to work. Give students a chance to participate right away, before showing them your classroom procedures and telling them about the year to come. This first assignment should be low risk, one in which all students can be sucessful. Give them a journal assignment: "Tell me about yourself!"

8 Introduce the important features of your classroom and your school. You may want to leave some areas of your classroom "closed" and unveil them slowly one by one.

9 Teach procedure. Present the most important classroom routines, in a positive way, as you would a regular lesson. Explain, discuss, and give students a chance to practice such routines as opening-of-day exercises.

10 Relax! Enjoy your first day.

Adapted from The New Teacher's Complete Sourcebook, by Paula Naegele (Scholastic, 2002).