Layla Henry- Fancy Free in 4th- Blog

Fancy Ideas for the Everyday Classroom

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The First Day of School Linky: Ideas & Icebreakers!

July 19, 2012 By fancyfreein4th

psyched to be in 2nd!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.
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!
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Filed Under: first day of school, icebreakers, linky, me bag, owls, procedures, rules, scavenger hunt, TpT, Uncategorized 11 Comments

Comments

  1. Lisa R. says

    July 19, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    I would love your Me Bag idea!! 🙂
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure
    fsuteach81@yahoo.com

    Reply
  2. Kelly Cook says

    July 19, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    I would love the scavenger hunt. 🙂

    Kelly

    kcook817@cox.net

    Reply
  3. The Hip Teacher says

    July 19, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    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

    Reply
  4. MissMix says

    July 19, 2012 at 4:27 pm

    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

    Reply
  5. applesandabcs says

    July 19, 2012 at 6:49 pm

    I love all of your ideas! I wish I was in your class!

    Michelle
    Apples and ABC's

    Reply
  6. luckeyfrog says

    July 19, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    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

    Reply
  7. The Hip Teacher says

    July 19, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    I have nominated you for The Versatile Blogger award-be sure to stop by and check it out!

    ~Julie
    http://www.thehipteacher.blogspot.com

    Reply
  8. Ashley Nicole says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    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

    Reply
  9. Mission Control says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    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

    Reply
  10. Mrs. Shepherd says

    July 22, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    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?

    Reply
  11. Layla Wiedrick Henry says

    July 22, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    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.

    Reply

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