Back to School: Adapting to New Routines and Staying Safe
Introduction
As schools reopen, the learning environment will look and feel different due to the ongoing pandemic. Educators and students will need to adapt to new routines and safety measures to ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone. This blog post will discuss an easy-to-implement activity to help students understand and adapt to these changes, provide discussion questions, and mention related skills for further development.
No-Prep Activity: Safety Scenarios
This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and is designed to help students understand the importance of following new routines and safety measures. To begin, divide students into small groups or pairs. Have each group discuss various scenarios related to the new safety measures in place at school, such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and hand washing. Encourage students to think about the appropriate actions to take in each scenario and discuss the reasons behind these actions. Afterward, have each group share their insights with the class.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to follow the new routines and safety measures at school?
- What challenges do you think you might face while adapting to these new routines? How can you overcome them?
- How can we support our classmates and friends in following these new routines and staying safe?
- What are some ways to stay connected and maintain friendships while practicing social distancing?
- How can we show empathy and understanding towards others during these challenging times?
Related Skills
In addition to adapting to new routines, students can benefit from developing other related skills:
- Active Listening: Encourage students to listen carefully to instructions and ask questions when needed.
- Self-Regulation: Help students manage their emotions and reactions during challenging situations.
- Problem Solving: Teach students to think critically and find solutions to challenges they may face in the new learning environment.
- Empathy: Foster an understanding and supportive atmosphere by encouraging students to put themselves in others’ shoes.
Next Steps
We hope this blog post has provided useful insights and ideas for helping students adapt to new routines and stay safe during this challenging time. For more resources and activities to support social-emotional learning, we encourage you to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech.
