Morning Routines Passage

Arriving at School

Every morning, Mia steps off the bus just before the first bell. She spots her friends chatting near the entrance and joins the line for breakfast. Moving through the cafeteria, Mia picks up a tray, chooses a healthy breakfast—usually yogurt, fruit, and a granola bar—and pays with her school ID or wristband if she forgot it at home. After eating, she carries her tray to the recycling bin and washes her hands at the sink.

Next, Mia walks to her locker down the hallway. She punches in her combo, opens the door, and swaps out last night’s homework folder for her morning books and supplies. If her ID card is missing, she stops at the front office window to pick up a wristband for the day—this lets cafeteria staff and teachers know she’s a registered student. Once her locker is organized, she closes it gently and heads to the gym door.

Before heading into homeroom, Mia joins the single-file line of students waiting outside. She stands quietly, respecting the space and chatting softly with neighbors. When the bell rings, the door opens and Mia walks in calmly, ready to begin her first class.

End-of-Day Dismissal

As the final bell rings at 3:00 PM, Mia gathers her belongings—a pencil case, notebook, and any leftover lunch items—and zips her backpack closed. She checks that her locker is tidy, then returns any borrowed wristbands to the office window on her way out. Outside, the dismissal line forms near the bus loop and car rider area. Mia finds her spot, waits patiently, and keeps her hands to herself so everyone stays safe.

When her bus arrives, she steps forward in order, thanks the bus driver, and waves to her friends as she boards. Mia’s routine might seem simple, but following each step—breakfast, locker time, wristband check, and lining up—helps her day start and end smoothly.

Discussion: Morning Arrival & Dismissal

1. Why does Mia go to breakfast first thing in the morning? How might skipping breakfast affect her day?
   
   
   
   
   
2. Why is it important to use an ID or wristband in the cafeteria? What could happen if a student forgets their ID?
   
   
   
   
   
3. How does organizing her locker before class help Mia? What strategies could you use to keep your locker organized?
   
   
   
   
   
4. Why do students wait in a single-file line outside homeroom or the dismissal area? How does this routine support safety and respect?
   
   
   
   
   
5. Think about your own morning or dismissal routine. Which step do you find most challenging, and how could you improve it?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Arrival and Dismissal Worksheet

Part 1: Reading Comprehension

Read the Morning Routines Passage and answer the questions below.

1. What is the very first thing Mia does when she arrives at school? Why is this step important?
   
   
   
   
   
2. Describe how Mia pays for her breakfast if she forgets her school ID. What does the wristband do?
   
   
   
   
   
3. Why does Mia organize her locker before heading to homeroom? Name two benefits of this routine.
   
   
   
   
   
4. List two safety or respectful behaviors Mia shows while waiting in the line outside her classroom.
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Sequencing the Morning Routine

Number the steps below from 1 (first) to 6 (last) to show Mia’s morning arrival routine in the correct order.

[ ] Step off the bus and head toward the cafeteria

[ ] Eat breakfast and recycle your tray

[ ] Pick up a wristband at the office if your ID is missing

[ ] Organize your locker: swap folders and grab supplies

[ ] Wash your hands after breakfast

[ ] Join the single-file line outside homeroom

Part 3: End-of-Day Reflection

Use the passage to complete the first question, then reflect on your own routine.

1. List the steps Mia follows from the final bell until she boards the bus. Write them in order.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Think about your own dismissal routine. Which step do you find most challenging, and what is one change you could make to improve it?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Worksheet Answer Key

Part 1: Reading Comprehension

1. What is the very first thing Mia does when she arrives at school? Why is this step important?

   • Correct Answer: She steps off the bus and joins the line for breakfast.
   • Teacher Notes: Look for mention of arriving on the bus, going straight to breakfast. Emphasize that breakfast provides energy and helps students focus.

2. Describe how Mia pays for her breakfast if she forgets her school ID. What does the wristband do?

   • Correct Answer: If she forgets her ID, Mia stops at the front office window to pick up a wristband, which she then uses to pay for breakfast. The wristband identifies her as a registered student to cafeteria staff.
   • Teacher Notes: Wristband = temporary ID. Accept answers that explain it lets cafeteria staff know she’s enrolled.

3. Why does Mia organize her locker before heading to homeroom? Name two benefits of this routine.

   • Correct Answer: She swaps her homework folder for her morning books and supplies, making sure she has everything needed for class. Benefits include saving time looking for materials and reducing stress or distractions in class.
   • Teacher Notes: Look for two clear benefits (e.g., “finds what she needs quickly,” “locker stays neat,” “no forgotten items”).

4. List two safety or respectful behaviors Mia shows while waiting in the line outside her classroom.

   • Correct Answer Examples:
     • She stands quietly and respects personal space.
     • She chats softly (hands to herself).
   • Teacher Notes: Accept any two behaviors that demonstrate safety (hands to self, single-file line) or respect (quiet voice, personal space).

Part 2: Sequencing the Morning Routine

Number the steps below from 1 (first) to 6 (last) to show Mia’s morning arrival routine in the correct order.

1. Step off the bus and head toward the cafeteria
2. Eat breakfast and recycle your tray
3. Wash your hands after breakfast
4. Organize your locker: swap folders and grab supplies
5. Pick up a wristband at the office if your ID is missing
6. Join the single-file line outside homeroom

Teacher Notes: If a student has their ID, they can skip step 5—but for this sequence include it after locker time.

Part 3: End-of-Day Reflection

1. List the steps Mia follows from the final bell until she boards the bus. Write them in order.

   • Sample Answer:
     1. Gather belongings (pencil case, notebook, leftover lunch items) and zip backpack closed.
     2. Check that her locker is tidy.
     3. Return any borrowed wristbands to the office window.
     4. Go outside and find her spot in the dismissal line.
     5. Wait patiently in line, keeping hands to herself.
     6. Step forward in order when her bus arrives.
     7. Thank the bus driver and wave to friends as she boards.

   Teacher Notes: Accept any reasonable ordering that includes these key steps.

2. Think about your own dismissal routine. Which step do you find most challenging, and what is one change you could make to improve it?

   • Sample Student Response: “I often forget to return my wristband. Next time I’ll set a reminder on my phone or put the wristband on top of my backpack so I see it before I leave.”
   • Teacher Notes: Look for honest self-reflection and a specific, actionable improvement strategy.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Morning Mission Relay Game

Objective:
Students will work in teams to sequence the steps of both the morning arrival and end-of-day dismissal routines correctly and quickly, reinforcing their understanding of each part of the school day routine.

Materials:

• Pre-made sets of routine cards (one set per team) printed and cut apart. Each set includes 12 cards (6 morning steps + 6 dismissal steps):
  1. Step off the bus and head toward the cafeteria
  2. Eat breakfast and recycle your tray
  3. Wash your hands after breakfast
  4. Organize your locker: swap folders and grab supplies
  5. Pick up a wristband at the office if your ID is missing
  6. Join the single-file line outside homeroom
  7. Gather belongings (pencil case, notebook, leftover lunch items)
  8. Check that your locker is tidy
  9. Return any borrowed wristbands to the office window
  10. Go outside and find your spot in the dismissal line
  11. Wait patiently in line, keeping hands to yourself
  12. Step forward in order when your bus arrives and thank the driver
• A timer or stopwatch
• A flat surface (desk or floor) for each team

Setup:

1. Divide the class into small teams of 3–4 students.
2. Give each team a shuffled stack of their 12 routine cards face down.
3. Explain that they will first sequence the morning steps (cards 1–6) and then the dismissal steps (cards 7–12).

How to Play (5 minutes):

1. On “Go,” one team at a time—or all teams simultaneously if space allows—turns over their cards and begins arranging them in the correct order.
2. Teams may discuss silently and move cards as needed. The teacher circulates to monitor progress.
3. When a team believes both sequences are correct, they call out “Mission Complete!” and stop the timer.
4. Record each team’s time. If a sequence is incorrect, the teacher indicates which part needs fixing, and the team resumes until correct.
5. The fastest team with both correct sequences wins.

Debrief (2–3 minutes):

• Ask winning team to read their morning sequence aloud and then their dismissal sequence.
• Pose reflection questions to the class:
  1. Which step did you find most challenging to place correctly, and why?
     
     
     
     
  2. How does practicing this routine as a team help you remember the steps individually?
     
     
     
     
• Reinforce the importance of each step for safety and efficiency.

Extension Ideas:

• Mix up the cards across teams and race again for extra practice.
• Challenge students to build their own mnemonic or chant to remember the sequence.

Link to Game Cards: Morning Mission Relay Game Cards