We have a morning routine that is designed to help children do the things they need to do in order to start their day and to be able to be completely independent doing them. When your child arrives at school and hangs up his/her own backpack, it supports the theory that s/he is a fully capable member of the school community. As the season progresses and heavier outerwear becomes necessary, this task will become more of a challenge. It’s great that your child is learning to take care of his/her own belongings now, while they are relatively few! A change into sneakers from boots is all that is generally necessary now.
Samantha can handle her own shoes!
Next, the kids enter the room where they find three reminders. #1: Wash your hands (this is state mandated and, we hope, will cut down on illness and absences throughout the cold season!)
Samantha rinses her soapy bubbles off under warm water. Next, she'll dry off on her very own hand towel.
#2: Find your name from the tray and hang it on the Job Chart (this allows the kids to match the letters, discover their job for the day, and know who is here (green name tags) and who is absent or late (red tags)
Brendan finds his own name from among all the others. He can read!
Brendan matches his name and knows he's the "green-dot table setter" today.
#3 Read the Morning Message with Andra or Julie. The “MM” provides information (the date, the name of the day, the “special”) and has an activity for the children to do. Sometimes they do some writing, sometimes they check off if they have done something (worn sneakers on gym days or brought their library book back, etc…) and sometimes there’s an activity that supports something we’ve been working on in school.
Samantha, Liza and Brendan have read the Morning Message and are doing the activity. Today, they have been asked to draw a box around the first letter of their name.
The kids have a great deal of ownership of the Morning Message. One day, a new teacher came into the room and started to use an empty space she found on the message in order to write a note. One child said, politely, “No, don’t write there, That’s our Morning Message!”
It’s great to see so many parents and caregivers in the morning and you are always welcome in our room. It’s wonderful when you can show your child how capable you know s/he is by allowing him/her to take care of his/her routine independently!! Just think how much easier life will be at home when your youngster can handle all of those things you have been doing!