Aloha friends!! The summer is quickly slipping away and we are heading into August. Some of us have a few weeks left to kick back and enjoy the dog days of summer. But, I know some of you will be heading into your classroom soon!
Are you ready for that first day? Here is a quick synopsis of my first day. It might give you some ideas if this is your first year teaching or maybe just new to this grade level.
After setting up my classroom I sit down and plan out my first day. Then I have a tentative plan for the first week. It really depends on the vibe of my classroom how the rest of the week will look.
That first day can be a crazy one! First off I am usually running on caffeine because I can never sleep the night before! Then all your sweeties show up with their supplies, parents, siblings and lots of questions. I stand near the door to greet students and families. I then instruct them to find their name on their desk and follow the directions on the board.
I place a pencil with an eraser and a fun pack or booklet on their desk. It should be something simple they can work on independently. This Back To School Booklet has lots of fun activities to keep them engaged while you are helping others and talking with parents. They can work on it throughout the week or when they finish their regular work.
Once parents have left and we are settled a bit more, we gather on the carpet. We play a name game, learn a song and say hello to new and old friends. We then read some of my favorite Back To School books.
We then go over our class rules and discuss why each one is important and how I use my Clip Chart to reward awesome behavior in the class.
After our Morning Meeting we usually take a tour of the classroom and talk about what items go in our desks, seat sacks and cubbies.
We then begin writing in our Writing Journals (composition book) about anything they would like. We usually discuss some ideas and then I turn on some soothing music and ask them to write for 10-15 minutes. We glue a cover onto our journal, write our names and color it.
About this time it is Recess and I walk my students to the playground early and go over all of the playground rules and where we line up.
For our math time I give them a Math Journal (composition book) and we glue on a cover, write our names and color it. I then teach them a simple math game they can play with a partner, using a deck of cards. They each draw two cards and add them up. Whoever has the highest amount keeps all the cards. I ordered playing cards on Amazon for fairly cheap to use throughout the year.
At lunch I walk them down to the cafeteria and I always sit and eat with them. They really enjoy it and it is a good time to learn a bit more about them personally.
After lunch we have Silent Reading for 10-15 minutes. I discuss with them my expectations of staying in their spots the whole time and reading. I place 10-12 books in each of their seat sacks when setting up my classroom.
The rest of the afternoon is spent creating their Surf Buddies or Self Portraits. They are usually exhausted by this time so letting them have time to create is perfect. You can find this fun freebie in my TpT shop.
During the day I usually throw in a couple of Brain Breaks as well.
I leave plenty of time at the end of the day to teach closing procedures and make sure they take home all papers that need to be signed by parents or guardians. I use a folder that students place all items in to go home. They return it each day and turn in papers as they come in each morning. You can grab this surf themed communication set or a free version in my shop as well.
We then line up by buses, pick up and aftercare. I give them each a high five or hug depending on what they choose. I make sure all students get to where they need to go, debrief with parents, hug former students and parents and finally take a breath!
Phew! We made it. That first day is fast and furious, but so important to start the year off right. Once you get past that first day you have a great idea of how to maneuver the rest of the week.
Does your day sound similar to mine? What else do you do to make your students feel welcome and ready for school?
Whether you are headed back next week or next month I hope you have an amazing first day back!!
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Are you ready for that first day? Here is a quick synopsis of my first day. It might give you some ideas if this is your first year teaching or maybe just new to this grade level.
After setting up my classroom I sit down and plan out my first day. Then I have a tentative plan for the first week. It really depends on the vibe of my classroom how the rest of the week will look.
I place a pencil with an eraser and a fun pack or booklet on their desk. It should be something simple they can work on independently. This Back To School Booklet has lots of fun activities to keep them engaged while you are helping others and talking with parents. They can work on it throughout the week or when they finish their regular work.
Once parents have left and we are settled a bit more, we gather on the carpet. We play a name game, learn a song and say hello to new and old friends. We then read some of my favorite Back To School books.
Do Unto Otters is a great book about teaching manners. I always read Miss Nelson is Missing and tell my class that they need to follow the rules because I do not want to turn into Viola Swamp!!
We then go over our class rules and discuss why each one is important and how I use my Clip Chart to reward awesome behavior in the class.
We also discuss procedures for bathroom and pencil sharpening.
After our Morning Meeting we usually take a tour of the classroom and talk about what items go in our desks, seat sacks and cubbies.
We then begin writing in our Writing Journals (composition book) about anything they would like. We usually discuss some ideas and then I turn on some soothing music and ask them to write for 10-15 minutes. We glue a cover onto our journal, write our names and color it.
About this time it is Recess and I walk my students to the playground early and go over all of the playground rules and where we line up.
For our math time I give them a Math Journal (composition book) and we glue on a cover, write our names and color it. I then teach them a simple math game they can play with a partner, using a deck of cards. They each draw two cards and add them up. Whoever has the highest amount keeps all the cards. I ordered playing cards on Amazon for fairly cheap to use throughout the year.
At lunch I walk them down to the cafeteria and I always sit and eat with them. They really enjoy it and it is a good time to learn a bit more about them personally.
After lunch we have Silent Reading for 10-15 minutes. I discuss with them my expectations of staying in their spots the whole time and reading. I place 10-12 books in each of their seat sacks when setting up my classroom.
The rest of the afternoon is spent creating their Surf Buddies or Self Portraits. They are usually exhausted by this time so letting them have time to create is perfect. You can find this fun freebie in my TpT shop.
During the day I usually throw in a couple of Brain Breaks as well.
I leave plenty of time at the end of the day to teach closing procedures and make sure they take home all papers that need to be signed by parents or guardians. I use a folder that students place all items in to go home. They return it each day and turn in papers as they come in each morning. You can grab this surf themed communication set or a free version in my shop as well.
Phew! We made it. That first day is fast and furious, but so important to start the year off right. Once you get past that first day you have a great idea of how to maneuver the rest of the week.
Does your day sound similar to mine? What else do you do to make your students feel welcome and ready for school?
Whether you are headed back next week or next month I hope you have an amazing first day back!!
