Making After Recess & Lunch Transitions Calm, Fun, and Focused

beginning elementary teachers calming students classroom management routines transitions

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Show Notes:

There’s a certain chaos that walks back into your classroom after recess or lunch with the buzzing energy, side conversations, and constant movement in students’ seats. But what if those notoriously tricky transitions could become some of the calmest, most focused moments of your day? With the right strategies, those post-playtime minutes can shift from stressful to smooth...and even a little fun.

When your calm, happy classroom suddenly erupts into disorganized noise after lunch or recess, it’s natural to wonder what students should be doing the moment they walk in. And with elementary classrooms averaging 20–30 transitions a day, it’s no surprise these moments need thoughtful planning to help students regain focus and get ready to learn. In today’s episode, I’m sharing simple, effective ideas for creating classroom transitions that help students reset and refocus in ways that feel fun, easy, and enjoyable.

One of the most powerful ways to support students during these moments is through consistency and predictability. Establishing routines for after-recess and after-lunch transitions is one of the best ways to promote calm. Throughout the episode, I highlight how solid routines create a sense of peace and help students reset their minds through mindset breaks, imagination, and creativity. When students are invited to slow down during these transitions, you’re also teaching them self-regulation, which is a lifelong skill that benefits them far beyond the classroom.

At the end of the day, after-recess and after-lunch transitions don’t have to feel like a daily uphill battle. Creating routines isn’t just about managing behavior. It’s about teaching students how to reset, refocus, and return to learning with confidence. These small moments of structure go a long way in shaping your classroom culture, protecting your instructional time, and helping kids feel successful as they shift from play to productivity. And when students know exactly what to expect, those once-chaotic minutes become some of the most predictable, positive, and connected parts of your day.

Inside this week's show, you'll learn:

How to turn chaotic, stressful classroom transitions into calm and focused moments through consistency and predictability.
How messy transitions can eat away at valuable instructional time.
Simple daily transition ideas you can implement after recess or lunch that promote creativity and imagination.
Why establishing a transition routine is just the foundation, and how praise and natural consequences contribute to its success.
How inviting students to slow down teaches emotional regulation, and the importance of pausing.

Links & resources mentioned inside this episode:

I hope this information is helpful as you prepare for your first, second, or third year of teaching. Until next time, remember, just because you're a beginning elementary teacher, there's no need for you to struggle like one.

💛 Lori

Dr. Lori Friesen | Beginning Teacher Mentor

Creator of the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club, Dr. Lori Friesen has mentored thousands of beginning teachers across the country through her workshops and courses. Host of the popular podcast Beginning Teacher Talk and author of Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do, Dr. Lori is dedicated to serving educators and inspiring learners. Learn more at drlorifriesen.com.

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