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Before School Starts
The First Day
The first day with your class is critical, as it will set the tone
for the rest of the year. Be welcoming and organized. Being well
planned is the key to a memorable, interesting and successful day.
- Make your classroom warm and inviting
- Introduce yourself to your students. Let them get to know you as a
person. Get to know your students in the same way by having them
tell you about themselves.
- Be clear about your expectations for behaviour and invite students
to cooperatively develop classroom rules. List them as positives and
not a list of "do nots."
- Initially focus on whole group instruction and choose activities
at which all students can succeed. Get to know your students before
grouping them.
- Prepare extra materials for students who finish their work quickly.
- Take time to reflect after the students leave at the end of the
day. How did it go?
- What was successful? What could you have done differently?
Some first day activities
- Greet each student at the door.
- Welcome students to class and introduction
- Start developing classroom routines - arriving and leaving class
- Explain rules and daily routines - make sure rules are posted and
students have their own copy.
- Respecting classroom and supplies - a place for everything and
everything in its place.
- Teacher things vs. students things - rules regarding use of stuff,
e.g. stapler, pencil sharpener
Internet Resources:
Start of School Checklist
- Classroom routines are developed
- Routines and procedures have been taught and consistently
reinforced
- Routines are posted neatly and are large enough to read.
- Rules and consequences are posted
- Assignment heading sample is posted
- Homework assignments with due dates are posted in the same place
every day.
- Student timetable is posted
- A signal to quiet the class has been taught and is used as needed
- Classroom is arranged to promote educational activities
- Classroom environment sends the message that learning is
important.
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