The Way to Start a Day

The Way to Start a Day in Ms. Hays’ Class is a routine that I introduce at the very beginning of the year–in the first two or three days.

I begin by talking with students about their morning routines at home. What do they do? What do they say? We begin to note that there are some practical things we do (brush our teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast) and there are some important things we think and say (good morning to our families, remember what we need to do, hope it’s going to be a great day).

Then I read aloud  The Way to Start a Day by Byrd Baylor, an oldie but goodie, that introduces some of the rituals that ancient peoples around the world have had to honor and celebrate each new day. We use this book as a jumping off point to have a fairly complex conversation: about the value of each day, about what we hope to accomplish with our days, about how our time and our lives are precious resources.

When we are finished reading and discussing, we brainstorm a list of what we think we need to do to start each day off in our classroom. We make sure to include the really practical routines that need to get done: checking in, making a lunch choice, hanging up your coat and backpack, getting a sharpened pencil. We make sure to include the more social goals: greeting your teacher and classmates; asking people how they are doing and listening to their answers. We include some mindset goals: getting our minds ready for learning, making a plan to have a great day, remembering that we only get this day once and to make it a good one. While students brainstorm, I give prompts as needed and scribe. Later, I type up the list on a google doc and edit it to make sure all of my must-do morning routines are included.

I project this document on the SmartBoard every morning all year long. It allows me to remind and reinforce efficient and productive morning routines; it allows me gently redirect (“Have you remembered how we start the day?”); it creates a regular routine that is easily articulated for substitute teachers; it allows me a concrete reference when we need a quick fix-up in our classroom community or with individuals; it gives a powerful and meaningful point of reference for our purpose at school–that this is the only time we’ll ever get this day and we want to make it as good as we can.