How do you structure your classroom morning work? The answer to this question will all depend on how your students come into school in the mornings. Do they come into the classroom together on the bell? Or do you have a window of time where they are able to arrive?
My class can enter the classroom any time between 8.45am and 9.00am. This gives me a 15 minute period where my classroom slowly fills up. This staggered entry makes it impossible to teach any sort of lesson, so it is important that I have something ready that my students can get on with independently that requires no instruction from myself.
Morning Tasks
I like to have a task ready and broken down into the days of the week. This could be morning tubs, a problem solving activity displayed on the board or a worksheet ready to go on the students’ desks.
One activity that I have found to be particularly effective is to use this time for my students to practice their multiplication tables. I have one column for each day of the week that my students work through over the course of the week.
Multiplication Morning Work
On a Monday I set out the sheets in the students’ desks. As the students walk in they begin straight away by filling in Monday’s column. They do this every day of the week. At the end of the week, we have a multiplication quiz. If my students get 10 or more out of 12, I move them onto the next multiplication table. If they score below 10/12, I keep them on the same table for the following week as they are not yet secure in that multiplication table and need further practice.
My morning work routines ensures that the students know exactly what is expected of them as they enter the classroom. It helps to create a calm start to the day. It also provides an opportunity for differentiated multiplication fact review.
You can grab my Multiplication Daily Practice Sheets here. There is a sheet for each multiplication from 2 through to 12, as well as a mixed sheet fro further review.
How do you ensure a smooth start to the day and what do you use for morning work? I’d love to hear your ideas!
For more classroom multiplication game ideas, click here.