Harry Wong said that the first few days of school are some of the most crucial because it sets up the rest of the year. But school doesn't just start for teachers the day the students arrive, many hours of prep goes into making the school year start smoothly.
I've always been told that you only have one chance to make a first impressions and I'd have to say that I find this statement to be true. The things that you do leading up to and on your first day of school can make all the difference.
I've always been told that you only have one chance to make a first impressions and I'd have to say that I find this statement to be true. The things that you do leading up to and on your first day of school can make all the difference.
Before School
- Classroom Arrangement
- A schedule of routines
- A system of rewards and recognition
- Decide Rules and Procedures
- Organize yourself
The First Day of School
- Prepare student name tags
- Greet students warmly and show them their seat
- Make a seating chart
- Don't allow students to wonder the classroom
- Tell students about yourself
- Do a brief "Get to know you" activity
- Present rules and procedures
The First Two Weeks
- Teachers need to ensure that rules and procedure are:
- Understood by students
- Generally accepted by students
- Practiced until they become routine
Here are a Few Activities to help Establish Management in the Elementary Classroom:
- Introduce new students
- Practice the classroom routines
- Go over rules and procedures presented on the first day
- Set up a system of communicating with parents
- Go over the grading procedures you will be using
- Continue to engage in activities that allow students to get to know you and one another better
Parent brag sheet
Welcome! Please tell me about yourself and your family
Social contracts
- How do you want to be treated by your teacher
- How does your teacher wanted to be treated by you
- How to you want to be treated by each other
- How do we solve problems
Classroom Layout
- could include link to classroom architect website showing parents how classroom is set up (or actual picture if in the classroom)
Welcome! Please tell me about yourself and your family
Social contracts
- How do you want to be treated by your teacher
- How does your teacher wanted to be treated by you
- How to you want to be treated by each other
- How do we solve problems
Classroom Layout
- could include link to classroom architect website showing parents how classroom is set up (or actual picture if in the classroom)