| I get many requests from teachers asking me what | | | | * Scotch and Masking Tape Dispensers |
| they should do that first "stressful" week of the school | | | | * Stickers with different themes. |
| year. | | | | Remember, everyone is different. What's important to |
| The first week of school is so important, it can set the | | | | one teacher may not be for another. |
| tone for the beginning of the school year and quite | | | | The first day of school, certain back to school supplies |
| possibly the whole year. | | | | are given out to each student to keep in their desks, to |
| Thinking about the beginning of each school year | | | | be used throughout the school year. |
| always gave me mixed emotions. I was excited to get | | | | * Pencils and Pens (for the older grades) |
| going but had some butterflies and felt slightly stressed | | | | * Eraser |
| with the work to be done to get the year started off | | | | * Ruler |
| right. I always had trouble sleeping the night before | | | | * Notebooks |
| starting school. | | | | * Small Glue Stick |
| I usually went in to school towards the end of August, | | | | * student size scissors |
| as many teachers do, to set up my classroom and get | | | | * Box of 8 crayons |
| organized. | | | | * One Highlighter |
| Each teacher has their own routine, some don't set up | | | | To me, these are necessary supplies that all students |
| their classroom until school begins, but whatever you | | | | will use on a daily basis and should be on their student |
| do, you must know what you're doing that first week | | | | school supply list. |
| of school because your students are evaluating you | | | | 3. Classroom Activities |
| as you are evaluating them. | | | | During the first week of school, I have three goals. |
| So here are some of my suggestions to get the year | | | | 1. My most important goal is to get to know my |
| started off right. | | | | students(a little bit about their personality)and for them |
| 1. Classroom Layout | | | | to get to know me. I do this through various classroom |
| A classroom that is comfortable, friendly and colorful | | | | games and activities. |
| creates a very positive learning and social environment | | | | Here's one example. |
| for your students. | | | | One really fun activity I do, I call "Have You Ever". Each |
| You can make your classroom a place where your | | | | student has a sheet of 30 statements. For example: |
| students want to be with your classroom decorations, | | | | * Flown in an airplane |
| classroom displays and bulletin boards. Displaying a | | | | * Been on a championship team |
| student's work for others to see, is also a great way | | | | * Had an operation |
| for you to build up their motivation and self esteem. | | | | * Ridden a horse |
| You can set up your student seating arrangements in | | | | * Been really proud of yourself |
| different ways, although personally I organized the | | | | * Been to the CN Tower (a Toronto landmark) |
| students desks in groups of 4-6. Eventually you have | | | | Students walk around the class looking for 3 other |
| to socialize and work with all types of people later on | | | | students (include yourself as well) who have done the |
| in life, why not start now!! | | | | activity. When they find one they print thye student's |
| Once your students are settled, allow them to take | | | | name beside the statement. This activity can take 20 - |
| part in some of the decisions on the classroom layout, | | | | 30 minutes and then we have a class discussion about |
| displays and seating arrangements, although you | | | | things such as, which statement was hard/easy to fill |
| should keep in mind and they should know, that you | | | | in, whose names are printed most often, etc. |
| have the final word. | | | | "Have You Ever" is an absolutely wonderful activity |
| 2. Classroom Supplies | | | | and what a great way for every one to get to know |
| Each teacher's back to school supply list for their | | | | each other, including you. |
| classroom supplies will vary depending upon the grade | | | | 2. Th next goal of mine was to get my students |
| they teach. Discount school supplies are always nice | | | | focused back on school work after a full summer of |
| to find. | | | | vacation. I started with a review of their previous |
| Here's a basic list of must haves for all elementary | | | | year's work. For example, I would have made up 15 |
| school teachers. | | | | math questions or give the students a spelling review |
| * Lots of blue pens | | | | of previous year's words, grammar sheets, etc. |
| * Markers | | | | 3. My last objective for the first week was to set the |
| * Large Scissors | | | | classroom rules, explain the student agenda, and |
| * Staplers (3-4) | | | | make sure the students understood what was be |
| * One/Three Hole Punch | | | | expected of them for the year. |
| * A Timer | | | | So a few final words - Be prepared, be organized, be |
| * Different Sized Lined Padded Paper | | | | yourself. But most of all be thankful that you have a |
| * Recipe Cards (5"x8" or 3"x5") | | | | job you love or really like and ENJOY!! |