Mornings can be a lot for you and your students!
Between students getting settled at their desks, collecting homework, tech issues, and the general chaos that comes along with the start of the day, it’s no wonder so many of us feel a little frazzled by 9:00 AM. This is where the soft start classroom routine comes in handy!
A soft start is a flexible, low-pressure way for students to ease into the school day.
Instead of jumping straight into working or a lesson, students choose how they want to begin their day—whether that’s by quietly reading, solving a puzzle, chatting over a board game, or playing around with some creative materials. Meanwhile, you get valuable time to prep, check in with students, and get grounded, setting the tone for the day!
Here is why I think the soft start classroom routine is just as powerful for our big kids as it is for younger students.
Why Use a Soft Start in Upper Elementary?
A soft start is just as important for your older students as it is for the younger ones. They’re often juggling more homework, bigger emotions, and gaining more responsibilities at home and school.
A soft start classroom routine gives them an opportunity to self-regulate and associate the classroom/school with positive emotions.
A soft start encourages:
- Independence: Students take charge of how they begin, choosing the option they think best suits their needs.
- Self-regulation: The relaxed environment helps them manage stress and emotions, setting the tone for a day of learning and cooperation.
- Ownership: Choosing their start builds investment in the day ahead and gives them something to look forward to each morning.
And for you? It’s a goldmine of time to greet & check in with each student individually or in small groups, collect homework individually, giving you the opportunity to answer any questions, get some last-minute prep done, and avoid behaviours that are triggered by the chaos of a busy classroom in the morning.
A soft start sets the tone for a smooth, connected day!
What Makes a Good Soft Start Classroom Activity?
Not all morning choices are created equal. A great soft start classroom activity should be:
- Low-pressure, no grades or points collected, just time to hang out and get ready for the day at their own pace.
- Easy to do independently or with a buddy. In the morning, some kids really want to chat and others wish for some independent time to complete an activity.
- Flexible, choice-driven and lightly tied to skills, but still feels fun without the pressure of learning or being graded on it.
- Easy to rotate and/or reuse, bonus points if it’s something they can reset/put away themselves.
Soft Start Classroom Activity Ideas for Upper Elementary
Here are some of my tried-and-true Soft Start classroom activities that your upper elementary kids will love. Keep in mind, you do not need to spend a lot of money to get started! Printable colouring pages, word searches, and low-cost items like dice and cards are more than enough. You can also keep your eyes out for activities during garage sales and on Facebook Marketplace!
Creative Options:
- Drawing prompts or Pictionary with a partner
- Colouring pages/books
- Playdough, kinetic sand, Lego, magna tiles, you can even give them a prompt/challenge to go along with it, like “build a movie scene.”
Brain Boosters:
- Sudoku, logic puzzles, crosswords and puzzles
- Math games that don’t feel like work, like 24 or dice!
Social & Collaborative:
- Partner card games like Uno or Go Fish
- Chess, checkers, or board games, preferably ones that fit within your time frame
- Board games
- Tabletop STEM tasks
- Morning jobs check-in or planner time
Calm & Independent:
- Independent or buddy reading
- SEL or content task cards
- Study hall or journal time
How to Set It Up for Success
A few routines make the soft start classroom magic happen:
- Model everything – and don’t skip this step, especially when introducing soft starts. Remember you’re setting the tone for their success!
- Use a visual menu or slides to show daily choices. I love using Morning Slides for this!
- Keep supplies neat and accessible – bins or caddies work great to make sure everything has a home and your students know where they live. This gives them some independence and helps with the clean-up!
- Refresh activities every few weeks to keep them interesting. Throwing in some fun seasonal activities is always fun, too! Try giving each table or student their own “Soft Start Menu” or bin, so they get the chance to try new things as often as they’d like.
Teacher Benefits of a Soft Start Classroom Morning
This is just as much for you as it is for them! There are so many benefits for teachers:
- Time to Connect: This gives you time to have a real conversation with each student to check in and even follow up with a previous issue or conversation.
- Time Management: Take attendance, fix tech issues, organize materials, and finish your morning coffee!
- Set the Emotional tone: When mornings start calm and student-led, the rest of the day follows suit. Having a playlist that goes on quietly in the background every day during this time is a great way to set the tone and is enjoyable for you and your students!
And here’s a fun bonus for you! A soft start to the day means students talk less later. They’ve already had their “check-in” time, so once it’s time for work, they’re ready.
Final Tips & Encouragement
Starting a soft start classroom routine doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small—just 2 or 3 options can make a huge impact. You don’t have to have a different activity for everyone; it should be just enough that they feel they have some choice!
You can also let students help brainstorm new activities! You can try a suggestion box and vote on some new ideas for activities or materials as a class. Remember: calm and consistency beat fancy every time.
Try it out, and don’t be afraid to tweak as you go! Try this method and give your mornings the reset they deserve.
If you’re looking for tips on establishing a positive morning routine, click here to read more!
