Reliable Routines

My son and I drive the same route to school every day—Westwood to Lincolnway to Harrison. It takes about three minutes. When he gets in the car, he chooses the music and we chat about our evening plans. It has become routine, and I look forward to our time together each morning.

The other day, construction forced us to take a different route. Not a big deal, because we live in a small town that is easy to navigate. However, the construction interrupted our normal routine, and as I pulled away after dropping him off, I realized we hadn’t talked about our evening plans. As a result, I was left wondering if he wanted me to pick him up after football practice or planned to go to the rec center with friends.

Routines can be a wonderful thing. Knowing where we are going and what to expect while we are there allows us to be present and focus our energy on those around us or the task at hand. That is one major reason why Daily 5 is so successful in our classrooms. Daily 5 provides a structure that students and teachers come to know and trust. Behavior expectations are clear, and the structure is consistent; therefore students can focus their energy on the book they are reading, the strategy they are practicing, or the writing they are constructing.

And, when schedule interruptions such as recess, assemblies, and fire drills happen, students can participate fully, knowing they have the comfort and stability of a routine waiting for them when they return to class.

FAQ

Can you come to my school or hold a workshop in my area?

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