Setting the tone for the day (and year).

So, you Aced the interview, wowed them all and got your first placement, well done! Now what? Start by prepping for your first day, decide what you want your tone to be for the year and when you get there show NO fear. They can smell it a mile away. As my Grandma used to say, start as you mean to go on. What she meant by that was; don’t make quick decisions that you will later regret. Decide what your rules are going to be and keep them simple. You will want to be consistent, firm and friendly with your expectations and you will want to be using them on repeat.

Off the Record (it’s not all about the curriculum).

Your first day and the next few weeks will be teaching routines, expectations and building relationships. The curriculum is not the priority. Instead create an environment that your students can feel safe to learn in. Without this basic need being met, no learning will ever take place, it doesn’t matter how good your lesson plans are.

Routines and Lessons

Your daily routines and lessons during this time will resemble the curriculum but again keep it simple. You will want to set out a time for Art, Writing, Reading, a Science or Social Studies topic and some Math. Use the big ideas from the curriculum to put this together. Start writing in journals, independent reading and going over letters and their sounds, play some card and dice games. Take them outside with a great read aloud and when you’re done talk about the sun as an energy source. It does not have to be complicated.

Create a daily schedule that is very close to the same each day and make it a visual on the board so your students know exactly what to expect daily. Use this visual schedule routinely as you go through your day and attach it to a timer during each block.

Last but not least Classroom Management 101

Here again the key word is simple. Make your choice of classroom reward achievable and at no cost to you. Kids will work for rewards; you work for a paycheck same concept applies here. My best classroom management techniques have always been solid relationships but that takes time, so in the beginning use whole class systems. The easiest whole class reward is 10 extra minutes of play. It’s free and there is nothing better for kids (especially ones transitioning from Summer holidays). As for individual motivators… really good stickers are key. When kids read with me, help with a classroom job or just in general make good choices… sticker! Stayed tuned for more thoughts and posts. I hope this was a good start to achieving a great first day. Congratulations!

Love, C.