LeslieUpchurch.com

The Power of Routine and Order

On Mondays I have a very light day of teaching - only two classes. The first class is in an aferschool program.  As I approach the room, there is generally total chaos since the kids are picked up before I get there and have a short break between classes.  When I walk in - bam - sit on the bottom risers, take off you shoes and put them under those risers, and put your stuff on the risers behind you.  Period.  Then we start.

I sometimes feel like a drill sargeant, but these kids - and most kids - respond to order.  One of my colleagues, Judi Cagley, who teaches at CMU in their Saturday program, has the Dalcroze students goes into the room, form a circle in the middle of the room, and sit boy - girl - boy - girl, or as close as they can come to that pattern.  Then she has a moment to make sure the children leaving the room are attended to as the kids perform this task each week.

I sometimes don't feel I have enough routine and order.  It is not always something that seems as necessary as in the above scenario, but that could be wrong.  I will have to think about this.

Goodnight!