Routine is especially important in any elementary setting. A consistent pattern of events helps build the student’s working memory self-regulation. As they learn the rules and anticipate each activity, their minds can be more focused on the materials being presented. This routine is designed to improve the student’s executive function, which will be utilized by the student in all classes.  This routine assumes two 30-minute class periods per week.

The students enter the room and find their assigned spot in the room, indicated with a tape mark. The teacher counts down from ten, with all students in their spot by the time she gets to one.  The students go through the floor staff routine as a warm-up. Grades 1-5 do the full scale, all the intervals, and the skips in thirds. Kindergarteners only do the sequence in the range from C-G.

Students sit down for the hymn of the week. The teacher puts the lyrics of the hymn on the board. For the first lesson of the week, only the first verse of the hymn is used. During the second lesson of the week, verses two and three are added. The teacher teaches the students the hymn by rote in phrases, and then adds them all together. Then the class stops and discusses what the hymn is talking about. The class goes through the lyrics and finds words or phrases that they don’t understand, so that the teacher can explain them. If it is the appropriate time of the church year, the discussion may include talking about why that particular hymn is appropriate for that week. Then the class sings through what they looked at that day, and moves on to the main body of the lesson.

At the end of class, students line up at the door. Each class period, up to two students are chosen for their hard work and good behavior. If the class exhibits poor behavior during class, one, or no student may be chosen for the day. Each student in the class will be chosen at least once before anyone gets chosen a second time. These students each get to put a stamp on their class’s paper on the bulletin board. They also get to take home a note with specific positive traits checked off. This gives the students a chance to evaluate their behavior at the end of each class. Once the class earns twenty stamps, they get a “party” class period, where they get to play musical games or watch a movie. Class is ended with prayer, specifically praying for the two chosen students, and the members of the class.