Routine Champions Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Routine Champions
Classroom Routines Mastery
Target: Middle School SpEd
Instructional Purpose
This lesson explicitly teaches three foundational classroom routines. For middle school special education students, structure reduces anxiety and builds independence. Use explicit, direct instruction with modeling, roleplay, and immediate positive feedback.
Part 1: 10 mins
Explicit Instruction
Introduce the target routine using visual steps & teacher script.
Part 2: 15 mins
Roleplay & Game
Interactive practice using the "What's Wrong?" scenario cards.
Part 3: 15 mins
Hands-On Review
Complete sequencing worksheet & customize desk tools.
1
Entering the Room: "Stop, Store, Sit"
1. STOP & CHECK Pause at the door threshold.
2. STORE BAG Hang backpack on the hook.
3. SIT & START Go directly to assigned desk.
Teacher Script & Modeling:
"Class, when we walk into this room, we are preparing our brains to learn. Watch me demonstrate. I walk to the threshold and STOP. I look at my visual schedule. Then, I STORE my backpack safely on the hook. Next, I SIT in my seat and start my binder work. Let's practice saying the steps together: Stop, Store, Sit!"
2
Turning in Work: "Check, Name, Tray"
1. CHECK WORK Confirm all boxes are completed.
2. NAME FIRST Write name & date at the top.
3. IN THE TRAY Place paper face down in tray.
Teacher Script & Modeling:
"We work hard in here, and we want to get credit for our thinking! Watch me. Before I leave my desk, I CHECK that my worksheet has my name on it. If not, I write it immediately. Then, I walk calmly to our green hand-in tray, place it inside face down, and walk directly back. What are our three words? Check, Name, Tray!"
Routine Champions • Lesson Bundle Page 1 of 2
Teacher Resource
Routine Champions
Classroom Routines Mastery
Target: Middle School SpEd
3
Requesting Breaks: "Stop, Trade, Rest"
1. STOP WORK Put hands in lap when frustrated.
2. TRADE CARD Silently hand break card to teacher.
3. REST CALMLY Use timer for 2 minutes at desk.
Teacher Script & Modeling:
"Sometimes our brains get tired or overwhelmed. That is normal! Instead of calling out or shutting down, we use our Break Routine. I STOP what I'm doing and take a deep breath. I grab my visual Break Card, and walk calmly to TRADE it with my teacher. Then, I can REST at my desk or the calm-down corner until my timer rings. Remember: Stop, Trade, Rest."
Interactive Practice: "What's Wrong?" Game
Model doing the routines with silly mistakes. Ask the class to raise their hands and spot the error.
Scenario A
Entering: Teacher walks in, throws backpack under a desk, and immediately sits on the floor. Ask: "What steps did I miss?" (Did not store backpack, did not sit in chair).
Scenario B
Turning in Work: Teacher finishes a worksheet, crumples it, tosses it into the recycle bin, and goes to lunch. Ask: "What went wrong?" (No check, no name, wrong spot!).
Scenario C
Requesting Breaks: Teacher yells "This is too hard!" and hides under the desk. Ask: "What should I do instead?" (Stop work, trade break card, take deep breath).
Differentiated Support Strategies
Sensory & Physical
Allow students to use non-verbal signals (raising visual token) instead of vocalizing requests.
Provide physical tactile Velcro prompts for the "Stop, Store, Sit" steps on locker or hook areas.
Cognitive & Executive
Laminate student-ready break cards and attach them directly to desks using loop-and-hook fasteners.
Praise exact behaviors: "I love how you stored your backpack first today!"
Routine Champions • Lesson Bundle Page 2 of 2
My Routine Map Anchor Chart My Routine Map
I can be a Classroom Routine Champion!
A
Entering the Room
Routine 1
Step 1 1. STOP
Pause at the door threshold.
Step 2 2. STORE
Hang backpack on hook.
Step 3 3. SIT
Go to desk & start binder.
B
Turning in Work
Routine 2
Step 1 1. CHECK
Did you answer everything?
Step 2 2. NAME
Write name & date at the top.
Step 3 3. TRAY
Place paper face down in tray.
C
Requesting Breaks
Routine 3
Step 1 1. STOP
Stop and put hands in lap.
Step 2 2. TRADE
Quietly hand card to teacher.
Step 3 3. REST
Rest quietly at your desk.
Remember: We practice these routines because they keep our classroom safe and help our brains focus. Mistakes are okay! Just ask a friend or teacher for help.
Routine Order Sequencing Worksheet Name: ___________________________ Date: _________________
Routine Champions
Routine Order Board
Directions: Cut out the action squares from Page 2 (Cutout Bank) . Paste them in the correct chronological order from 1 to 3!
Routine A: Entering the Room
Step 1
Paste 'Stop' Here
Step 2
Paste 'Store' Here
Step 3
Paste 'Sit' Here
Routine B: Turning In Work
Step 1
Paste 'Check' Here
Step 2
Paste 'Name' Here
Step 3
Paste 'Tray' Here
Routine C: Requesting Breaks
Step 1
Paste 'Stop' Here
Step 2
Paste 'Trade' Here
Step 3
Paste 'Rest' Here
Routine Champions • Student Activity Page 1 of 2
Routine Cutout Bank
Use safe scissors to cut along the dotted lines. Mix them up, match them, and paste them onto Page 1 !
SIT AT DESK
Go straight to your seat and start work.
Entering Room
TRADE CARD
Hand your Break Card calmly to teacher.
Requesting Break
CHECK WORK
Check if you finished every question.
Turning In Work
STOP & PAUSE
Pause and wait at the door threshold.
Entering Room
REST CALMLY
Breathe at your desk with your timer.
Requesting Break
WRITE NAME
Write your full name and date on top.
Turning In Work
STORE BAG
Hang backpack neatly on locker hook.
Entering Room
STOP WORK
Stop and place your hands in your lap.
Requesting Break
PAPER IN TRAY
Place your paper face down in hand-in tray.
Turning In Work
Cut out each card carefully Routine Champions • Student Activity Page 2 of 2
Desk Visuals and Break Tokens Handout Visual Tool Handout
Desk Visuals & Break Tokens
Print, laminate, and cut out these desk strips and tokens to provide continuous physical support.
Part 1: Desk Routine Strips (Tape directly to student desks)
Desk Strip A My Routine Quick-Map
A
Entering 1. Stop • 2. Store • 3. Sit
B
Turn In 1. Check • 2. Name • 3. Tray
C
Break 1. Stop • 2. Trade • 3. Rest
Desk Strip B My Routine Quick-Map
A
Entering 1. Stop • 2. Store • 3. Sit
B
Turn In 1. Check • 2. Name • 3. Tray
C
Break 1. Stop • 2. Trade • 3. Rest
Part 2: Visual Support Tokens (Quietly hand to teacher)
2-MIN BREAK
I need a moment to breathe and reset at my desk.
Break Token
2-MIN BREAK
I need a moment to breathe and reset at my desk.
Break Token
I NEED HELP
I am stuck or have a question about this work.
Help Token
I NEED HELP
I am stuck or have a question about this work.
Help Token
WATER / REST
I need a quick drink of water or bathroom break.
Request Token
WATER / REST
I need a quick drink of water or bathroom break.
Request Token
Routine Champions • Desk Supports Page 1 of 1
Routine Champions Slides Let's Begin!
Routine Champions
How to run our classroom smoothly, stay relaxed, and do your best work every day.
Classroom Expectations Slide 1 of 6
Routine 1
Entering the Room
Goal: Independence!
1. STOP
Pause at the door.
2. STORE
Hang up backpack.
3. SIT
Go to assigned desk.
Chant: Stop, Store, Sit! Slide 2 of 6
Routine 2
Turning in Work
Goal: Get Credit!
1. CHECK
Check your work.
2. NAME
Write name on top.
3. TRAY
Place in hand-in tray.
Chant: Check, Name, Tray! Slide 3 of 6
Routine 3
Requesting Breaks
Goal: Stay Calm!
1. STOP
Stop work. Hands in lap.
2. TRADE
Hand card to teacher.
3. REST
Rest for 2 minutes.
Chant: Stop, Trade, Rest! Slide 4 of 6
What's Wrong? Game
Interactive
Scenario 1
Alex walks in, drops their backpack at the door, and runs to the window.
👉 What should Alex do instead?
Scenario 2
Chris finishes work and throws the paper directly in the trash!
👉 What steps did Chris miss?
Let's spot the errors together! Slide 5 of 6
Let's Try It!
We will practice arranging our routine steps!
1
Get your worksheet, scissors, and glue.
2
Cut out the 9 cards carefully.
3
Match and paste each step card!
Your Reward!
Once you finish, you will get your own Desk Card and Break Tokens !
You are ready to succeed!
Work calmly and ask if you need help. Slide 6 of 6
