Today I am linking up with Molly from Psyced to be in Second and her linky about trying so many new things- the first day of school! I know I have been getting ready for the First Day- I have been updating all my goodies so I am ready for the big day!
Well, the beginning of the school year can be daunting for kids. They have to get used to new routines, a new teacher, a different environment and new kids in their class. On the first day of school introducing routines and procedures is very important. It sets the tone of the school year, it allows them to know my priorities and behavior expectations. I go over a lot of information with them but I like to break up the day with some fun activities too.
Here are a few things that I do on the First Day:
1) I introduce myself to them with a little powerpoint so they get to know me.
2) They apply for a class job and I go over our Classroom Checkbook system (this behavior management bundle can be found in here)
3) I give a classroom tour of all the important things. I make it fun like we are in an airplane or on the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland.
4) We go over class rules as a community- creating a classroom norm of what we all think it means to be Safe, Respectful and Responsible.
4) We go over class rules as a community- creating a classroom norm of what we all think it means to be Safe, Respectful and Responsible.
5) I like to start the year off with a classroom Whoo’s in our room Scavenger Hunt. This gets the students out of their desks, interacting, talking, and familiarizing themselves with the new group of people that they will share the year with.
6) I go over their first assignment which is a Me Bag. I introduce it by sharing my me bag and then I hand them out the instructions. I give them time to brainstorm what items they will bring in their Me Bag and what they will say to the class. I have done the Me Bag every year (4th-7th grade) and it is a really great way to get to know the students better. You find out a lot in a bag!
7) At the end of the day I like to play 20 Questions with them. Kids do ask the silliest things sometimes.
This year will be fun because it is my first year at this new school. I am excited to meet all my students and colleagues. Since I can’t go into my new classroom until AUGUST 10th (yikes!) I have been refining these first week of school documents so I am ready. They are on my TpT store so check them out!
The first 3 people to comment with an email address gets a free copy of either the Me Bag or the Scavenger Hunt! Just leave your email and which one you want in the comment section!
I would love your Me Bag idea!! 🙂
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
fsuteach81@yahoo.com
I would love the scavenger hunt. 🙂
Kelly
kcook817@cox.net
I love your owl theme for your classroom! Thanks for stopping by my blog-I am now following you too!
~Julie
http://www.thehipteacher.blogspot.com
Aww, one comment off! That's okay though… just wanted to let you know I love all your blogs and am an avid follower =) I love the ME BAG idea too!
~Danielle
dmix2284@gmail.com
I love all of your ideas! I wish I was in your class!
Michelle
Apples and ABC's
I do "me bags" and tell the students not to label the outside with their name… then, I open the bags and they have to guess who it belongs to! It helps learn names to hear guessing, and we do a few at a time all through the day so it doesn't become too long. My second graders loved it last year! 🙂
I would love to see how you make your classroom tour so fun! 🙂
Jenny
Luckeyfrog's Lilypad
I have nominated you for The Versatile Blogger award-be sure to stop by and check it out!
~Julie
http://www.thehipteacher.blogspot.com
You're so lucky if you get the opportunity to loop!!! I will not be looping with my 3rd graders, but I will be keeping 5 of them next year. I wish I could've looped though!
I nominated you for the “Liebster Blog” award which means “favorite” or “dearest” in German. Come visit me to pick up your award! 🙂
Ashley @ Fierce in Fourth
I'm your newest follower.
Congrats…I've just nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! If you choose to accept, follow the directions on my blog.
Wanda
You really have some great ideas! Love how you have the students apply for their own job. Do you have them reapply every other week?
Mrs. Shepherd-
I have them apply in the beginning of the year for jobs that they wish to hold over the course of the year. I reference them when I select new jobs every 2-3 weeks. They can apply for more than one job, they order them for me.