Two students in conversation while looking down at a laptop computer.

Collection

Establishing Opening and Closing Routines

These opening and closing classroom routines will set a welcoming tone, allow students to connect with one another, and encourage goal setting.

Published: July 14, 2021

Last Updated: August 9, 2023

Collection

Language

English — US

Subject

English & Language Arts
History
Social Studies

Grade

6–12

Culture & Identity
Equity & Inclusion

Overview

Classroom routines can be a key component of a brave and reflective classroom community.

Setting aside five to ten minutes at the beginning and/or end of class to welcome students to the learning space, gauge their emotional well-being, and nurture community helps students experience school as a predictable, meaningful, and supportive part of their day. This can be especially valuable when students have experienced significant disruptions to their lives and learning.

This collection is designed to be flexible. You can use all of the resources or choose a selection best suited to your classroom. It includes:

10 opening routines
5 closing routines

Inside this Collection

Activity

This mood meter activity develops students’ vocabulary for describing their feelings and their empathy muscles.

Activity

Students use emojis to practice sharing what they are feeling while building empathy for their classmates.

A student looks down at their paper with a pen in hand. A smiling emoji is in the foreground.

Activity

Students engage with an intriguing image that lacks context or a title, drawing on their close viewing and analysis skills.

Assorted images of the outdoors organized in a grid on a beige wooden table.

Activity

Students practice gratitude by naming and recording three good things that have happened that day.

Two students look to the front of the classroom with smiles on their faces.

Activity

Students reflect on a meaningful, inspirational, or thought-provoking quotation.

The back of a white book with a quote from Brianna Wiest which reads "I thought becoming myself was improving each part piece by piece. But it was finding a hidden wholeness seeing the fractures at the design."

Activity

Students use poetry as a spark for reflection and discussion about what’s happening in their lives and the world.

Four students in conversation with each other in a classroom.

Activity

The Rose, Thorn, Bud exercise increases students' self-awareness as they reflect on recent successes, challenges, and opportunities.

Activity

Students communicate how they are feeling in response to a chosen prompt, giving teachers a pulse on the class’s opinions or well-being.

A person holding a rectangular white photo frame near a body of water.

Activity

Students practice debate and perspective taking by taking a stand on a controversial statement.

Students move around the classroom in conversation with each other. One student looks directly into the camera with a smile on their face.

Activity

Read aloud a chapter of a book your students are interested in to build community around stories and storytelling.

Person sitting on the floor while holding a book.

Activity

Students identify their strengths and areas for growth in a journal reflection.

A student in a grey sweatshirt looks down at a paper with a pencil in hand.

Activity

Students get an opportunity to give feedback about the class and communicate their needs and worries.

A person holds a compass in their hand with the ocean in the background.

Activity

Students reflect on the day by asking them to share an appreciation, an apology, and an “aha” moment.

Activity

Students identify one personal or academic goal that they would like to commit to in the week ahead.

A Facing History journal sits on top of a student guide for Choices in Little Rock.

Activity

Students share how they are feeling, what their needs are, and what goals they’d like to set in an exit card.

A person holds a glass door open with a backpack over one shoulder.

Materials and Downloads

Download an overview of these back-to-school routines in PDF or Google Doc format.

Download the Files

Document

Overview of Opening and Closing Routines

Get Files Via Google

Document

Overview of Opening and Closing Routines

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Collection

Activities for the First Days of School

These first-week-of-school activities create welcoming learning environments that prioritize care, relationships, and community.

Activity

This mood meter activity develops students’ vocabulary for describing their feelings and their empathy muscles.

Activity

Students practice gratitude by naming and recording three good things that have happened that day.

Activity

Students use poetry as a spark for reflection and discussion about what’s happening in their lives and the world.

Activity

Students practice debate and perspective taking by taking a stand on a controversial statement.

Activity

Students reflect on the day by asking them to share an appreciation, an apology, and an “aha” moment.

Activity

Students identify one personal or academic goal that they would like to commit to in the week ahead.

Activity

Students reflect on the past year and generate ideas for the kind of learning community and learning experiences they are hoping for this year.

Activity

Students consider what parts of our identities we choose for ourselves and what parts are chosen for us, as well as the impact our names can have on our identities.

A student in conversation with a peer outside of the photograph is in the center of the photo. Another student looks at a laptop.

Activity

Students explore the idea of “community” in order to identify its key aspects and deeper meaning.

Activity

Students explore the factors that make up a community.

A silhouette of the Chicago City Skyline at sunrise.

Activity

Students use emojis to practice sharing what they are feeling while building empathy for their classmates.

Activity

Students engage with an intriguing image that lacks context or a title, drawing on their close viewing and analysis skills.

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Listen to #DisruptTexts founder Julia Torres about taking a critical lens to text selection in ELA classrooms.

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Issues of equity and education have long existed in our country and continue to manifest today. How can writing and the power of one's voice help us respond to these disparities? Listen to writer and educator, Dr. Clint Smith, where we hear his poetry and reflections on working for justice, equity, and civic agency in our schools.

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Explore approaches to centering student voice, building authentic relationships and cultivating community with Molly Josephs, the creator of This Teenage Life, a youth-driven, story-sharing podcast that started as a school club.

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Using the strategies from Facing History is almost like an awakening.

— Claudia Bautista, Santa Monica, Calif

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Establishing Opening and Closing Routines