Start the Year Strong: Building Routines that Support Success

As everyone adjusts back to school, building routines can be your family’s secret weapon for starting strong in a new school year. We’re here to help with strategies for balancing the flexibility of online learning with the structure students need to succeed throughout the year.

Why Routines Matter for School-Aged Kids

While many of our students benefit from the flexibility of online learning, students at Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA) still attend classes, submit homework, and have project deadlines.

Creating routines adds structure to a student’s day, and sticking to a steady routine will also help your students get into learning mode. When they know it’s school time versus relaxation time, they’ll be in the right headspace to accomplish the day’s tasks.

Of course, each student’s routine will look different. Many ORCA students work or pursue other activities outside of school, so their schedules may not follow a typical 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. school day. However, creating dedicated time for learning will add stability and lead to student success.

Morning Routines: Starting the Day off Right

Starting the day right helps students stay focused and engaged. Morning routines should evolve with your child’s age and support increasing independence as they grow.

Elementary Families

Our youngest students need the most supervision throughout their learning day, typically with the help of a learning coach — often a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult. Morning routines for this age group should be fun and focused on teaching them how to prepare for their days. 

A typical day might include a quick weather and schedule check to plan for the day’s learning and fun outdoor activities. Learning coaches can also use the “Three Before Screen” rule, which requires younger kids to accomplish three tasks (like getting dressed, eating breakfast, and setting up their workspace) before turning on their screen for the day.

Middle School Families

As students move into middle school, they’ll require less ongoing supervision. However, learning coaches still need to establish routines to ensure their mornings start successfully. Engaging in a quick check-in about their plan for the day allows older students to have more ownership of their agenda while staying on track with longer-term academic goals. 

A simple tech checklist is helpful: Is the Chromebook charged? Are they logged into Canvas? Is their space organized? Helping students develop these habits now will make the transition to high school even smoother.

High School Families

By the time students enter high school, they should be able to start their day independently; however, learning coaches should remain available to help address any unexpected challenges that pop up. A solid routine for this age group can establish a strong foundation for self-advocacy skills as they begin managing their workload. Learning coaches should make it a point to check in regularly with their high school students and their teachers to ensure they’re not falling behind.

Beyond academic planning, high schoolers also need to begin taking ownership of their health and wellness. Learning coaches should always encourage breaks for physical activity or fresh air before, during, and after screen-heavy days. Regular tech breaks support both their physical and mental well-being.

Study Habits for the Digital Classroom

Online learning gives students the flexibility to develop strong study habits that work for them. As with morning routines, these habits will begin to shift as students gain more independence.

Elementary Students

Learning coaches have the most significant impact on elementary students in online learning environments. Young students need direction and supervision, but learning coaches should build regular time into daily schedules for play and outdoor activities, critical components of early learning. 

Strong study habits begin at their work station. It should be a dedicated learning space that’s organized and distraction-free. Learning coaches will need to help their students access Canvas and their live class sessions, and work closely with them during their asynchronous learning time.

Middle School Students

Learning coaches of middle school students should encourage their growing independence while staying involved. Digital organizational systems like calendars, to-do lists, and file structures will become increasingly important in their learning, so learning coaches should ensure their students master these tools. Middle school students also begin managing multiple subjects simultaneously, so teaching time-blocking as a study technique can help them tackle a more challenging workload without feeling overwhelmed.

High School Students

By the time students reach high school, they should be able to advocate for themselves in the classroom while managing multiple online platforms and deadlines. Developing these skills will be crucial as they transition from ORCA to college or the workforce. As always, learning coaches should stay connected with their students’ learning, ask questions, and check in regularly with instructors to ensure they stay on track.  

Sleep: The Underrated Academic Tool

Even the best morning routines and solid study habits can be undone by a bad night’s sleep. Growing kids need to maintain good sleep habits to recharge for a new day and stay focused on learning. As you begin developing your back-to-school routines, it’s also wise to consider your student’s sleep schedule.

The American Academy of Sleep recommends:

• Children ages 6–12: 9–12 hours per night

• Teens ages 13–18: 8–10 hours per night

Good sleep hygiene includes consistent bedtimes and wake times, avoiding blue light before bed, and building wind-down routines that help students unplug.

As students age, they may be tempted to sacrifice sleep for additional study time. However, a recent National Institute of Health study found that irregular sleep and late bedtimes correlate with worse grades and more behavioral problems among high school-aged children. Regardless of age, your student must prioritize sleep throughout the school year. 

Your Family’s Routine Action Plan

Start with one routine and then build from there. The flexibility your family has already developed with ORCA can be a huge asset. Use that adaptability to your advantage as you help your child build habits that support long-term success.

Ready to get started? Join us for a virtual information session to meet our teachers, explore our online platform, and see how ORCA could be the right fit for your student. There’s still time to include virtual learning in your daily routines.