Welcome to my elementary self-contained classroom! Take a look at a typical day in our life with this schedule tour.
Good Morning!
As my students arrive for the day, they follow a simple morning routine that includes unpacking their backpacks and putting belongings away. All of my students arrive at slightly different times in the morning. So, while we are waiting I facilitate activities like board games and STEM-bins. It’s a nice, slow start to our day, and I love being able to spend time with my students in a no-stress way like this.
Morning Meeting
Morning Meeting is my FAVORITE time of the day! I am able to incorporate a variety of skills into our meeting including math concepts, calendar skills, conversational turn-taking, and manners. One of my favorite parts of our morning meeting is talking about the national day! I give my kids clues to guess what the day is and then we talk about our opinions on it. For example, on National Cookie Day (December 4), after solving the clues we all talk about our favorite types of cookies. It’s a fun way to work on critical thinking and listening!
Morning Centers
After a quick snack break, we do our morning center rotations. For AM centers, we focus on ELA activities. I usually have four centers in my room: teacher table, para table, independent work, and computers. At my table, I deliver individualized instruction based on my students’ levels. At the paraprofessional table, students work on Simple Comprehension stories and activities. For independent work, my students will do task box activities on their own. And on their computers, students use the website Epic to read books of their choosing.
Lunch and Recess
My students attend lunch and recess with support from our classroom paraprofessional and I enjoy my midday break!
Science, Social Studies, and Life Skills
Throughout the school year, we rotate through science, social studies, and life skills topics. The aide who works with us has her lunch break during this time, so we do these activities as a whole group. Our science and social studies curriculum is a modified version of grade level content, and I use tools like videos and adapted books to make the lessons engaging.
For life skills instruction, we love doing the monthly Life Skills Centers activities! Doing this free Folding Facecloths lesson is one of my favorite ways to introduce life skills centers at the beginning of the year.
Adapted Specials
My class receives adapted special area classes each day. While they are in specials, I use my prep time to prepare materials, write reports, and meet with colleagues.
Afternoon Centers
Our afternoon centers focus on math. We follow the same routine as the morning, but with math activities. And, I always make sure to take time to progress monitor my students’ goals each week.
Afternoon Routine
When our math centers are done, we usually go outside to play. If the weather is bad, we will play a whole-group game inside or enjoy a movement video in the classroom.
While the students are playing, I fill out Daily News sheets to send home in their folders.
Then, it’s time for dismissal! The students pack up their belongings, and walk to their buses with their aides and me. Once the class is gone for the day, I straighten up and prepare for tomorrow.
And that’s my day in elementary self-contained! Taking a look at other classrooms’ schedules is SO helpful. You can see even more sample schedules here! Have any questions about drafting your own schedule? Drop them below!
