| Sometimes it seems just as hard for teachers to head | | | | the entire class a way to quickly get to know each |
| back to school at the end of the summer as it is for | | | | other, and will be a great practice run for other |
| students. Ease into the school year by taking time to | | | | assignments you will give them throughout the year. |
| get to know each other before the work begins. Here | | | | Children who do not turn the quiz in on time will quickly |
| are a few games and activities that will help everyone | | | | learn the consequences of lost or late homework. |
| get acquainted -- and might even start friendships that | | | | Show and tell. Another great way to help children learn |
| will last a lifetime. | | | | about themselves and each other is with a "me bag." |
| Break the ice. Start by introducing yourself to your | | | | Start the activity by showing your students five small |
| students. Of course, they will need to know your | | | | items that represent who you are or how you feel. |
| name, but then what? Tell them a story about how | | | | Hide items inside a paper lunch bag and bring them out |
| you felt when you were their age. Make sure to poke | | | | one by one, explaining what each means. The bag |
| fun at yourself and the mistakes you made when you | | | | could contain pictures of your family or something you |
| were in their grade at school. It will break the ice and | | | | use when you participate in your favorite hobby, such |
| give anxious students a boost of confidence when | | | | as crochet hooks or paint brushes. Include something |
| they realize you know exactly how nervous they feel | | | | that is made with your favorite color or has your |
| and won't expect them to be "perfect." Then quiz | | | | favorite scent, then pass the items around the |
| them about what you talked about and offer small | | | | classroom. After you've shown students everything in |
| treats for those who get correct answers. | | | | your bag, pass out an empty bag to each of them and |
| Turn the tables. Give children a homework assignment | | | | ask them to fill it with five of their own items, which |
| they actually won't mind doing. Have them create a | | | | can be shared with the class the following day. |
| quiz about themselves that you will take. Tell them the | | | | Team building. It's important to establish class |
| quiz needs to have five questions and must be turned | | | | camaraderie, even on the first day of school. One |
| in the following day. They could ask you what kind of | | | | way to help children understand how much they have |
| pet they have, how many siblings they live with or | | | | in common with others is to play the "Just Like Me" |
| where their family went on summer vacation. Over the | | | | game. You can start the activity by reading a |
| next few days, find short periods of time where you | | | | statement about yourself. You might say, "My favorite |
| can "take" each child's test during class. Read each | | | | food is pizza." Tell children when they hear anyone say |
| student's quiz out loud and try to correctly answer all | | | | something that they also like, stand up and say, "Just |
| five questions. Children will think it's hilarious when the | | | | like me." Have students take turns revealing things they |
| teacher gets a question wrong. The exercise will give | | | | like - or even dislike, such as baths or Brussels sprouts! |