Bell work, daily oral language? Journal writing? I have fifth grade and want to build it into a routine so that they just come in the class and get to it.
My kids come in and do morning work. Announcements are at 9:05, and our first class starts at 9:15 (usually Social Studies). Morning work is posted on the ActivBoard and is more critical thinking than content. It's meant to "wake up your brain" and get you ready for the day. I don't grade it beyond done or not done.
My students arrive between 7:15 and 7:30. At 7:30 they should have gone to their locker and be seated for any important info about the day. We then say the pledge and they are off to their math classes.
My students have DEAR time (Drop Everything and Read)... gives me a chance to check homework and conference w/kids about stuff for about 15-20 min, then we have a Community Circle to go over the day's agenda and do a little community building before we get started with academics.
They do fix-it sentences (DOL) and a journal write every morning. This is their morning work, and it works well to have a set routine that they already know what to do, and can get right to work. It also allows me time to do attendance, check homework, etc.
Do they have a workbook for this or is it posted on the board and they copy the correct version into a journal or a sheet of lined paper?
Last year, I had my 5th graders start on spelling work right away, then go to morning meeting. We would go over the spelling later on during Language Arts. I really liked that, it seemed to free up a lot more time and felt more efficient.
Journal Writing---extremely important for me. The topic is always one that helps me to get to know them better, and a way for them to transition into the day in a reflective and cathartic way. Math Questions---You can never have too much Math review IMO (within reason of course). Review of yesterday's lesson with discussion and explanations to come.
