By Tracee Orman
The first week of school can be the most stressful, anxious, and nerve-racking week of the year, but it doesn't have to be! In fact, it's one of the most important weeks for getting to know your students and building a classroom community.
After twenty years of teaching, I learned a few tricks for a smooth beginning to the year. Here are some tips for the first week of school:
Greet your students at the door or in the hallway. This is very important. No matter how introverted you are, it's crucial to be in the hallway outside your door saying hello to each student as they walk into your room. You can vary your greetings and even give instructions about where to sit. This is going to show your students that not only are you enthusiastic about class, but they are worth your time and effort to be greeted. It really does show you care. I know it isn't always feasible--you may be talking with a student from the previous class period or making a mad dash to the copier or restroom between class periods. But if the majority of the time you are greeting students at the door, it will make a difference.
Start the year with activities to get to know your students and build a classroom community. Your syllabus and rules can wait a couple of days. Take the time to learn about your students' interests first. This will help when you are teaching them content and want to help them relate to the material. I have a wide variety of activities I've used for over twenty years. Here are a few:
First Day Bell Ringers: This is fun for the first few minutes of class. Students can select one of the bell ringers that prompt them to share a little bit about their interests. (Shown in image)
Back to School Pictionary: If you have a lively class that likes to talk and move around, this is a perfect activity. Students get a prompt, then have to draw that activity. You can have them elaborate on it or not after the other students have guessed. If you have a really large class, you can split them up and play in small groups.
First Week Letters: A new spin on a one-pager and all-about-me activity! Students decorate a letter of their choice with something that represents them, then they write about it.
All About Me One-Pager: A traditional all-about-me activity that you can actually customize with your own prompts.
Interest Inventory (FREE!): Download this free interest inventory to gauge students' interest.
All of these activities and more can be found in my Back to School Mega Bundle.
Always set aside copies of your first week handouts for new students later in the year. I make at least five (if not more) extra copies solely for this purpose. I paper clip everything together and insert the packets in a file folder labeled "New Students." I usually attach a post-it note with a message saying "Welcome to class! We're happy to have you. -Mrs. O." Then, when a new student magically appears in your class one day (and we all know this happens!), you are ready for them. I include a copy of the syllabus, whatever activity we did the first day to get to know each other, and any beginning-of-the-year assessments I may need a new student to take for data collection and progress monitoring.
Learn your students' names. You are proving to them that they matter when you learn their name (and how to correctly pronounce it). On the first day of school when I do roll call, I always ask students if they have a nick-name they prefer (i.e. Maddie for Madison). Then I call them by their preferred name. A seating chart really does help with learning their names. Greeting them at the door (tip #1) is great practice for learning their names, as well. If I mess up, I tell the student I will get it right tomorrow, then make a point of calling them by their correct name the next day. It makes the student feel good when you learn their name. And that goes a long way for classroom maintenance.
I hope these tips help, and you have a wonderful school year! -Tracee
