First days of school

[Unregistered]

I graduated in Decemebr of 2005. I was hired and started the day after I graduated as a fourth grade teacher. So I am both new and not so new to the field. I did my student teaching in September-December and finished up the year in May. My new school, new classroom, and new area, start in August and I have no idea what to expect the first few weeks of school (this is the only time I have not seen a working classroom). I have heard that you teach absolutely no content the first two weeks....just rules, procedures, and behavior. Is this true and if so, how do you do that for two weeks straight?
I am a fun, young teacher, but I also mean business....help!

new-ish

[Unregistered]

I use the 1st week to teach/practice: procedures, rules, line walking, cafeteria behavior, social skills, cooperative learning structures, expectations, homework policies, etc.. My students also do many "get to know you" activities to build a family atmosphere. There are several assessments our grade level does to find out where our students are academically so we have an idea how to group them. I practice with students how to access the different computer programs we use in the classroom. We do an activity in which we create our class rules. I would definitely suggest getting together with your 5th grade team to see what they do also. Good luck and have a great school year.

[Unregistered]

Please find a copy of Harry Wong's book "The First Days of School." He does a terrific job of spelling out exactly what you should do during that very important time. Also, don't forget about your fellow coworkers. They have all been in your shoes and can give great advice. Call them this summer and ask a few questions. They probably won't mind, and it will ease yours! Try www.edhelper.com. It's full of ideas!
God Luck!

[Unregistered]

I do many getting to know you activities. I got some of them from web sites, fellow teachers, and created some on my own. Here are some of my favorite.
Rock Pile-Students write 3 descriptive sentences about themselves w/o giving their name. They "wad" the paper and throw it in a pile. Throughout the day, take a "rock" and read it. Try to guess who the sentences are describing.

Fortune Tellers- You can make your own, or I get them from "Really Good Stuff". The children love to make them. Then we go around the room and play them with each other.

Collage-On the bottom of my supply list, I tell the children to bring magazine picture cut-out of all the things they love. Lots of pics. Also, cut out the letters to spell their name. We use these to cover a journal-collage stype. It's cute, creative and takes quite a bit of time for the first day of school. hee hee

I have several more. It you want to contact me. here's my email. I also teach 3rd grade. tammie.french@hopkins.kyschools.us

[Unregistered]

Okay, I am unregistered, and that may bother some. I will get around to it, I promise!

I think the idea that you teach 'no content' is exaggerated. I start teaching content immediately...like if the 1st day is a half day, the second day we are hard at work! Yes, still getting to know each other with some related activities, but marching onward with what the kids are to learn! Granted, you are instilling your procedures and rules as you go. Jump in and teach! And, as a parent, my pet peeve is feeling that kids' time is being wasted.

Now, when some may say no content they may mean that they are having to do review to make up for summer losses; that is true to some extent.

[Unregistered]

I disagree with you on teaching content on the first day of school. This should be a day set aside to discuss expectations, classroom rules, behavior, classroom and homework aassignments, daily routines, and getting to know your students. I want my students to enjoy their first day of school. I want them to leave with a smile on their face, not a frown.

[bethbeth81]

Please find a copy of Harry Wong's book "The First Days of School." He does a terrific job of spelling out exactly what you should do during that very important time. Also, don't forget about your fellow coworkers. They have all been in your shoes and can give great advice. Call them this summer and ask a few questions. They probably won't mind, and it will ease yours! Try www.edhelper.com. It's full of ideas!
God Luck!


This is a GREAT book...it is my bible! Also check out teaching heart at :

http://www.teachingheart.net/ultimate.html

This page has actual lesson plans for the first days and really gives you great ideas. This is the best teaching website I have ever found...check it out for SO many great ideas...be sure to find the Centers section..she has such wonderful ideas.

Don't just brush this off as another website...it is seriously AMAZING.

Probably the best resource out there is your fellow teachers. Ask to plan together and steal their ideas..they are usually more than happy to share ideas and flattered you came to them for advice.

Best of Luck!

[teachjam]

At mspowell.com is a GREAT site for answers to your first day worries AND for many other teaching ideas as well. Go to it and explore. It will take you days to read and see everything. GREAT STUFF!

[bethbeth81]

At mspowell.com is a GREAT site for answers to your first day worries AND for many other teaching ideas as well. Go to it and explore. It will take you days to read and see everything. GREAT STUFF!

WOW! thank you so much for sharing! I have been scouring this site for probably 20 hours all together and I'm only about halfway through. mspowell.com is a great resource!

[Unregistered]

The first two weeks of school are crucial for anyone - new or seasoned teacher. Personally, I would teach some content in the form of review. This time should be spent on teaching the students the day to day operations of the classroom as well as reviewing materials from the previous year.

I graduated in Decemebr of 2005. I was hired and started the day after I graduated as a fourth grade teacher. So I am both new and not so new to the field. I did my student teaching in September-December and finished up the year in May. My new school, new classroom, and new area, start in August and I have no idea what to expect the first few weeks of school (this is the only time I have not seen a working classroom). I have heard that you teach absolutely no content the first two weeks....just rules, procedures, and behavior. Is this true and if so, how do you do that for two weeks straight?
I am a fun, young teacher, but I also mean business....help!

new-ish

[Alan in Maryland]

You have to teach some content, because you have to follow and stay on track with the curriculum. You have to establish, clearly, the expectations that you have for your classroom the first week. You "lay down the law," so to speak. You make it clear what you want and what you expect, and you don't back off an inch the entire year. I'm talking about behavior of course, but I'm also talking about normal day-to-day procedures like passing out and collecting papers, using the bathroom, etc. The tone you set in your classroom the first month will be the tone you have to live with the whole year. Make it clear to them, even if you have to come across a little meaner than you want to, that this is your classroom, and things will be done your way. After a few years of teaching, you'll do this naturally and automatically. You'll develop more confidence in your ability to simultaneously maintain control of the class and reach the kids with your lessons. In the beginning though, you've got to establish control first. If the classroom's not orderly, no learning takes place - that's your justification for being a little heavy-handed at first. Good luck! You'll do fine, have a great school year.

[ldlshopper]

Hi,

Though I have been teaching for over 20 years, I empathize with you. I remember other teachers telling me the same thing. You do actually teach the first few weeks, but you go slowly, incorporating the basic rules and structure for your class. For example, if you are going to be teaching in cooperative learning groups, you pick a simple assignment and instruct on how you expect students to behave. Who will record work? Who will be responsible for turning in the papers, etc. You want the students to understand the routine of your classroom before you start with the heavy instruction. Most texts are geared to a review of what students already know for those first few weeks. Go ahead and use those materials, but the real teaching will be your standards and routines, rather than the challenges that will be presented in your grade level.