Children seem to be most focused in the morning hours so teachers like to emphasize language arts and math during this peak learning period. A typical morning breakdown of a schedule might consist of the following:
8-8:15 -- Attendance, welcome
8:15-8:45 -- Morning message, calendar
8:45-9:45 -- Language arts, reading groups and centers
9:45-10 -- Snack
10-10:20 -- Recess and bathroom
10:20 - 11:15 -- Math and centers
After lunch and recess, which usually last about 45 minutes, children are ready to come back to class. A practical guide to a kindergarten afternoon schedule might look like the following:
12-12:15 -- Story time
12:15-1:15 -- Science (M/W) Social studies (T/Th) Character traits (F)
1:15-1:35 -- Recess and bathroom
1:35-2:15 -- Specials
2:15-2:40 -- Free time, cleanup
2:40-2:45 -- Dismissal
Lunchtime needs its own routine from organizing who brings and buys lunches, meal payments, lining up, where to sit and how to behave in the cafeteria. Going through a practice run on the first day, before lunch even starts, can help children learn the expectations. Give the children a reasonable amount of time to learn procedures but hold them accountable to what they know.
Kindergarten children have short attention spans and benefit from at least three recess breaks throughout the day -- morning, lunchtime and afternoon. That 15-minute break will get their bodies moving and blood flowing and help them get rid of the wiggles. Specials, such as art, music, physical education, library and computer classes, provide children with an additional break from traditional academics. In addition, teachers can use this time for planning.
Although not specifically a part of the schedule, every kindergarten teacher will need to determine how to handle several other areas. Some of these include homework, a job chart, a reward system, birthdays, a check-in system, parent connection and the posting of classroom rules. Some of these routines will be decided by existing school procedures.