new teacher ideas 1st

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new teacher ideas 1st
By jlfTX

Chris,
You are going to love 1st grade! The first day is very important, because they are so scared. Teach them a poem, so they can go home the first day successful in reading. This is one I use. It's I Am Special
(Frere Jacques tune)
I am special. I am special.
If you look, you will see.
Someone very special.
Someone very special.
That is me. That is me. I write it on chart paper & the students draw & color pictures all around it. Then, it's ready to read, sing, & enjoy all week and in centers later.
When they come to the classroom, that poem is on their desks. They draw

a picture of themselves on it. I display it the first day, then later it goes in their poetry folder. Sometime during the morning, they draw pictures of them & their families in journals. This gives me a good idea of who lives in their house. They can write about it if comfortable. When they stand up & share, I make notes on family info. My routine is journal, calendar (includes exercise, story, morning message, read aloud), centers & guided reading, sharing from centers, lunch & recess, writer's workshop, specials, math,closing. Hope this helps some. I like to read Chrysanthemum and Leo the Late Bloomer the first day & again later in the week. jlfTX