But, since I will be THINKING about Back to School I decided to link up with Undercover Classroom and Education Electrification for First Day Tried and True Activities!
Even though this will be my 12th year teaching, I still get a little anxious over the first day of school. I don't think a teacher can ever be TOO prepared or have TOO many ideas the first week of school.
I am going to share a few of my First Day Tried and True Activities with you!
1. Play a Game
This can be a fun and easy game but make sure it is an educational game. It keeps them busy while you are sitting and sipping your coffee sorting though mounds of supplies, finding out how everyone gets home, helping a little one who had an accident, drying tears, reminding friends to share, encouraging parents to leave...... Most importantly it shows your students that learning can (and WILL) be fun this year!
I always play a Roll and Color game on the first day of school. Not only will this give them a chance to use those new sharp crayons they are just dying to open, it also introduces an activity that stays in my Math Stations the entire school year!
I have a sample pack of Apple Math Games for free. It is 31 pages of differentiated games! Grab it for FREE by clicking on the picture below.
If you LOVED the freebie and would like more, check out my Apples Everywhere Math Unit by clicking the picture below. It contains 162 pages of activities for only $5.
2. Team Building Activity
Last year my goal was to do a lot of STEM activities with my class. We started on the first day of school! I got the idea from Ivy Taul. She has a STEM Starter Kit freebie! (Click the picture to check it out!)
I tweaked her idea a bit to fit my class's needs. When our students go through the lunch line they have to say their name and lunch number. In the past I always made super cute little name & number tags for each student to wear. Of course they matched our classroom theme. Last year I challenged the students to make their own name & number tags! Not all turned out great, but the students enjoyed it and they really helped each other out. (Which was my goal..team building to start building our classroom community!) And yes I had back up name tags already made for each student! We only needed 2!!!
3. Have Fun
This is the most important. Enjoy the day. Share the kid's excitement. Relax! If you don't get to all of your activities, don't worry and do NOT rush through them. Do them tomorrow! The students will not mind if you do a Day One activity on Day Two. Trust me they will simply remember the activity. You are setting the expectations and tone for the next 180 days. Make them count!
Check out other First Day Tried and True Activities at the Linky below!
Good luck on your first day.
I bet the little guys love the roll and color game.
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2015/08/tpt-sale.html
They do!!! Especially when they get to use markers!
DeleteI love the name of your blog! How clever!!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think #3 is the most important tip on your list! :)
The Whimsical Teacher
Thank you! I teach at a school located across the street from the beach. We have sand everywhere so the name fits!
DeleteLove your post and structure of the First Day of school! You are right - game, teamwork building, and have fun! What a super start to the school year!
ReplyDeleteTricia from "Tricia's Terrific Teaching Trinkets"
I love using games that build teamwork. Have a great start to your year too!
DeleteI loved the image you painted of the first day when you are trying to sort out supplies, figuring out how they will get home, encouraging parents to leave, etc. So true and funny. We are all in that same boat on the first day. Great post!
ReplyDeleteChrissie
Undercover Classroom
The first day is always a zoo but I look forward to it! Thanks for hosting this great linky!
DeleteI agree that the first day should be all about fun ...and games are the way to go! Love it!
ReplyDeleteYou can never go wrong with a game!
DeleteI agree, it's so important to relax! The first days can be so stressful. I think that the first week is more tiring for the teacher than the students.
ReplyDeleteSarah from "Education Electrification"
So true! The first few days are always mentally and physically tiring. Relaxing and having fun makes it a little less exhausting.
DeleteI think being completely prepared makes you less anxious and able to relax and enjoy getting to know the students. Having a great agenda planned out with independent activities available while you deal with parents coming in, supplies, etc- but then- have a jam packed day waiting- plan too much! Procedures, procedures, procedures- is my second recommendation. Third, plan on doing something enjoyable- a read aloud- an art activity- something where you can observe closely especially how the kids interact with each other- this makes it very beneficial to you- and you can really get to know your students. I always do a quick assessment of writing- although I don't tell them that- and have them write something that will show me spelling, grammar, following directions- higher order thinking skills- You can really get alot of valuable information on the first day or two if you plan things out- and have a plan B- and C!
ReplyDeleteI think being completely prepared makes you less anxious and able to relax and enjoy getting to know the students. Having a great agenda planned out with independent activities available while you deal with parents coming in, supplies, etc- but then- have a jam packed day waiting- plan too much! Procedures, procedures, procedures- is my second recommendation. Third, plan on doing something enjoyable- a read aloud- an art activity- something where you can observe closely especially how the kids interact with each other- this makes it very beneficial to you- and you can really get to know your students. I always do a quick assessment of writing- although I don't tell them that- and have them write something that will show me spelling, grammar, following directions- higher order thinking skills- You can really get alot of valuable information on the first day or two if you plan things out- and have a plan B- and C!
ReplyDelete