The Battle Against Boring
“Children need structure.” How many times have we heard that? And I get it. Structure, in the form of routine, contributes to a child’s sense of safety and comfort. Things that are familiar bring all of us comfort, children and adults alike. We likely go through the same routine in the morning. Get up, feed the cat, (the cat likes routine too), take a shower. Most people even have a regular shower routine - left arm first, right arm, and so on (or whatever order you prefer). We drive to school and head for the same parking spot. I’ll be the first to admit, finding someone parked in the spot I prefer definitely puts a kink in the comfort of my morning. And then we begin our classroom routines. For years many of us have been instructed to begin class with a “Do Now.” I do understand the “Do Now” concept. I understand that it can help students make the transition from hallway mode to classroom mode. I understand it allows for attendanc...