first week

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first week
By Cathy-Dee

Chances are she will have you do a lot of get-to-know you activities with the students, writing activities, reading, review in math, etc.,

I would doubt she will worry too much about her discipline program being in place
other than perhaps a few basic things as when she is able to start school the following week, that will be her "first" week of school.
I'm sure she'll have lesson plans ready (or at least she should have).
She's probably just as worried herself as it's not great to be away during the first week of school, but I'm assuming it's something she can't avoid.
The first day will be mainly

coming in, finding their desks, probably doing some type of writing activity, etc., I'm sure she'll have this day planned out quite well.

I have a web page of links for back to school ideas, if you are interested just send me an email.

I would pick out 3 or 4 ideas you could use just in case. Perhaps also make copies of some word searches or other puzzles pages in case they finish work early. Also a short novel or chapter book that you could read to them. The teacher is probably stressed trying to organize the first week while she is away. I know I would appreciate my sub arriving at our meeting with some ideas of things to do to help free up some of my time. It would make me much more confident and relaxed being away from my class and knowing the sub in charge is organized.

Some good first week activities

- do an interest inventory - students fill out a form about their likes and dislikes
- write about their summer holidays
- write a letter to their teacher about what they are looking forward to learning this year.
- art activities - perhaps something for Autumn to decorate the walls
- physical education - outside games if possible to enjoy the Autumn weather
- Do a mini-science unit for 5 days. Apples, leaves, or another topic.
- make time capsules to be opened during their last week of school. On the first day - send home a note and have them bring a kleenex box or other box that size to school. Have them write a note or letter with things like how they think they will change over the year, what they will learn, etc., Have them bring in a newspaper clipping of something they found interesting in the news, take a picture of each of them to place in the box. Then have them seal the boxes - not to be opened until their last week of school.
- Do a school orientation tour so that new students and yourself learn where everything is. The kids who have been at the school last year will love to lead the tour.
- As a surprise - have the kid's design and create a bulletin board welcome for their teacher - perhaps suggest she leave one board empty for an art project and then do this instead. This may help the students adjust to you being their temporary teacher.
- Or if this doesn't work - have them make welcome cards for her first day back.

Hope these ideas help - you'll have great fun with them and what an excellent way to show this school what a fantastic teacher you are!!!!