Daily Classroom Routines for 6th Grade With Resources and Links

Daily Classroom Routines for 6th Grade With Resources and Links

31st Jul 2024

Engaging students from the moment they enter the classroom sets a productive tone for the rest of the day. Here are some effective daily routines shared by experienced educators for 6th-grade classrooms:

Vocabulary and Challenge Problems

One teacher suggests alternating between vocabulary exercises and daily challenge problems, each for 7 minutes. This is followed by 15 minutes of review problems from the previous week. This routine not only enhances students' vocabulary skills but also strengthens their problem-solving abilities by constantly challenging them with new and varied problems.

Warm-Up Message and Spiral Review

Another educator uses a warm-up message on the board, listing needed materials and tasks. This includes a spiral review problem before the new lesson, which is part of their curriculum, EdGems. The warm-up message serves as an effective organizational tool, helping students prepare mentally and physically for the day's activities.

Word Problems for Special Education

An instructor incorporates word problems as daily bell ringers to meet her Special Education students' goals. Resources for these problems can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT), and another educator adds that using word problems without numbers can help Special Education students better understand equations. This method is particularly effective in developing critical thinking and comprehension skills.

Fraction, Decimal, Percent (FDP) Routine

One method involves having students convert the day of school into a fraction, decimal, percent, and Roman numeral. This practice helps reinforce number sense, patterns, and divisibility rules. Such daily exercises ensure that students repeatedly apply and reinforce their mathematical skills, making these concepts second nature.

Math Spiral Reviews

Several teachers use spiral review problems from resources like Mashup Math and TPT. These reviews cover a range of concepts, offering consistent practice throughout the year. Spiral reviews help in continuous reinforcement of learned concepts, ensuring that students retain information over long periods.

Group Problem Solving

One approach emphasizes teamwork by having students solve problems in groups, discussing strategies, and correcting mistakes together. This collaborative method fosters communication skills, encourages diverse perspectives, and helps students learn from each other.

Number Riddles and Building Thinking Classrooms

Using number riddles and puzzles from TPT and Building Thinking Classroom puzzles helps develop problem-solving skills and perseverance. These activities are engaging and fun, making students eager to participate and learn.

Interactive and Engaging Warm-Ups

Another method uses a Noggle bulletin board with Velcro to create daily integer and order of operations challenges. Another instructor integrates Mathigon’s "Multiplication by Heart," and another plans to use 99math, a free multiplayer math game. These interactive warm-ups stimulate students' minds and set a positive tone for the rest of the day.

Exit Tickets

Exit tickets are a quick and effective way to assess students' understanding of the day's lesson. Teachers can ask a question related to the day's content and have students write their answers on a small piece of paper before they leave. This helps teachers identify areas where students may need additional support.

Daily Reflection Journals

Encouraging students to keep a daily reflection journal can help them process what they've learned and how they feel about it. This practice promotes self-awareness and critical thinking. Teachers can provide prompts related to the day's lesson or allow students to reflect freely.

Classroom Jobs

Assigning classroom jobs can help students develop a sense of responsibility and community. Jobs can range from passing out papers to leading the line or being in charge of classroom supplies. Rotating these jobs ensures that all students have the opportunity to contribute.

Reading Time

Setting aside a few minutes each day for independent reading can foster a love for reading and improve literacy skills. Teachers can provide a variety of books and allow students to choose what they want to read, making this time enjoyable and personalized.

Question of the Day

Starting the day with a thought-provoking question can stimulate students' critical thinking skills and encourage classroom discussions. Questions can be related to the curriculum or general knowledge and can be used as a springboard for deeper conversations.

Resources and Links

Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT):

Mathigon’s "Multiplication by Heart":

99math – Free Multiplayer Math Game:

Transum – Starter of the Day:

Dropbox Resources:

Digits Game

These routines and resources offer diverse ways to start the day, ensuring students are engaged, reviewing past material, and developing new skills in a structured yet dynamic environment. By incorporating a variety of activities and resources, teachers can create a stimulating and supportive learning environment for their 6th-grade students.

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