first day first grade

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first day first grade
By Vanessa

Hi Jenn,

I too teach first grade, this is my second full year. I begin by going to the reading corner and playing a name game- something fun (usually a song that involves some kind of movement). I then tell them a bit about
myself and we exchange summer stories (most will take no time to open up.) Next we head right into picking helpers, line leader, line monitor, calender, morning message, story weather etc. We then have independent reading time. After recess we discuss the importance of rules and we make up our own rules for the classroom. We then have center time until lunch. ( I have more center time

at the beginning of the year and I wean them off of it as they are still in "kindergarten mode" for the first little while.) By mid September we have centers for about 15-20 minutes each morning and afternoon for the remainder of the year. I use center time as a part of my positive discipline program so they can earn or lose it, depending on their behavior.

In the afternoon we usually have an assembly, we go to gym, have computers, or we may even go outside to play. It is a fun day to get to know each other. I have an advantage as I teach in a small school and I knew all the children by name before they entered my class (with the exception of the two new children I got). Good luck and have fun!!

Vanessa