Depending on when your school year begins, the infamous 3 words of “Here we go” resonant with any teacher kicking off another school year or maybe it’s your first crack at teaching! Promise, you’ll be ok.
The inspiration for this post comes from my daughter who is studying to be a teacher. When I think back to my first year of teaching, I remember thinking, what did I really learn in university? You don’t take a class on what to do on your first day of school, how to build positive relationships with the parents, how to write a newsletter, and again what to do on the first day of school. I’m hoping this post will help you with that. It contains several video resources to help with your classroom expectations, following directions, and movement breaks which are crucial with younger kids. My hope is that I can help in answering the question…..so I’m teaching KG (or grade 1), now what?
I have also shared a sample newsletter to use for your first Back-To-School newsletter. Parent communication is crucial in order to find success and build a partnership with your families. If parents know what is going on they feel included, updated, and valued. Feel free to use it and send it home to your parents.
Depending on where you live, school starts in August or September. Whatever month BACK TO SCHOOL begins, being prepared is the KEY. The items included in this post will help you be successful in the month ahead. Establishing rules and routines is very important during this first month. This will set the stage for the year as you clearly outline what you expect from your students while they are learning. If your students begin to forget your expectations, pause and review. A mistake that is often made is that teachers keep on teaching content when what is needed is a review of expectations, and rules. Do this as many times as needed as you lay the foundation for what you expect from your students.
This includes:
- How they are to share ideas during group discussions
- Being respectful to their classmates
- Actively listening when someone is talking
- Procedure for sitting on the carpet
- Clean up expectations
- How to take care of their school supplies
- Procedure for sitting at their desk or table
- Helping a friend
- Being a friend
- Procedures for lining up
- Behaviors expected for sharing circle
Classroom Rules! Set the Stage NOW!
The first song is an action song that sings about classroom rules. The children follow along and copy the actions. Make sure to do it with them. The rules that are focused on in this song are:
1) listen to the teacher
2) follow directions
3) keep my hands to myself
4) I’m always nice to everybody.
This next song is a silly song on classroom rules. It will have your students giggling and smiling. That’s purposeful learning while having fun.
Following Directions with Body Breaks!
Following Directions is also very important as you establish rules and routines in your classroom.
The first month of school can be very exhausting for your students and yourself. Having fun and taking movement breaks is key. If the blood is pumping, the brain is working. Helping your students to engage and participate in their learning is very important. Movement breaks help wake the body up and help your students with their alertness. If they look tired or bored, change it up, and move. Frequent body breaks help your students to stay focused and increase their learning as it can maximize their attention.
Many of the movement breaks I use at the beginning of the school year focus on following directions. It not only gets your students moving but helps them learn the skill of following directions. Included are some other songs that teach your students to follow directions while dancing. It may involve them walking around the room, sitting on top of their desk, or having a dance party.
Classroom Management and Expectations!
Classroom Management involves how the kids treat each other, the items in your classroom, their work, and the other adults in the school. These are some great reminders!
Teaching Empathy!
Teaching your students empathy is vital. Empathy is teaching your students to think about someone else before they think of themselves. Changing the conversation from “it’s mine” to “you have it”, “can we take turns”, or “when you are done with it, can I have it.”
Parent Communication
Parents are their child’s strongest advocate. They are trusting you to love their child when they are in your care. Often for 6 hours. Parents will get to spend their time with their child when they are tired, irritable, and frustrated. Not always, but especially at the beginning of the school year. Be empathetic to your parents. Let them know that you have an open door policy where they are welcome to speak with you. Reassure them that you are partners together in their child’s academic journey and that they can trust that their child is in the BEST care where you will work to nurture both their growth and their success. Your tone and words can create a relationship of mutual respect, open communication and a shared dedication to their child’s future.
Good luck! Have a great year!
Building a strong classroom community begins with you, their teacher. When you reflect on how you want your school year to go and what the expectations you have for your students, start to build towards that. School should be welcoming, engaging, silly, fun, and a place where learning is exciting.