This week, we are talking all about how we start out using various opening routines in our mastery-based classrooms. Specifically, we will share how we set up our courses and some daily activities you can use with your students to get them ready for learning.

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**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/135**

Opening Routines For The Semester/School Year:

  • Unit Zero - 2 to 3 lessons long to learn about the logistics of a mastery-based classroom and learning
  • Diagnostics - first 2 to 3 weeks, works well for ELL learners (oral, reading, writing skill levels)
  • Focus on getting to know you activities and building classroom community as the premise to learn about the mastery-based learning model
  • Use mastery-based learning terminology: lesson classifications, guided notes, etc
  • Google Slides and YouTube for getting to know you activities, lessons etc
  • Use of conferencing with students
  • Lots of opening, whole class activities throughout the first few weeks of school
  • Thinking classrooms, game-based learning (GimKit for example) are great ideas to engage students in whole class activities and build classroom community

Daily Opening Routines For The Classroom:

  • Regular conferencing
  • Group-based work based on STEP levels (ELL learners)
  • Whole class lessons with all levels modelled (helps to set high expectations for all learners and builds motivation)
  • Thinking Classrooms model (but not in a traditional sense) - use randomized groups of 3 (Flippity Random Name Picker), at the whiteboards, solving 1-2 problems related to on pace lessons, use mastery as checks for understanding
  • Mix approaches up - other collaborative activities, demos, thinking classrooms, other whole group activities to set the tone, etc
  • Do Now or Check-In (goal setting and/or SEL check-in) - can be done daily, weekly, more sporadic (end of unit/module)
  • Weekly agenda slide deck
  • Progress Tracker for informal check-in and goal-setting
  • Modern Classroom Project: Guide to Opening and Closing Routines
    • Accountability groups
    • Tell me something good - students can share announcements and good news

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