beginning of the year

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beginning of the year
By KT

Hmmm...there is so say...setting routines and procedures for the year will determine the climate of your class for the remainder of the year. So establishing these routines is SOOO important. I suggest reading Harry Wong's
The First Days of School ( look up his website too ). He has very good, practical ideas for any grade level and they work!!! Another educational consultant Bev Eisele suggests practicing routines for the first 30 days of school until they become routine...let the kids know that you expect them to be established in that time. Do not assume they know how you want things done. Let them know

how you would like them to line up, how you expect them to move in the classroom, when they can sharpen pencils, how they are to come to reading group, how papers will be collected, who will do which jobs, how they are to treat their classmates, what to do if you need help, have a problem,etc. etc. etc. Whatever procedures you decide will be fine as long as everyone knows what is expected.You want to establish a climate of fairness and mutual respect. In the mean time plan review and "get to know you" activities" that are worthwhile so you can establish work routines too. This is not to say you can't start curriculum, but establishing routines is the main goal of those first few weeks and their work is important, but secondary.If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to e-mail me! PS. Kids seem to love getting books the first day...maybe a book from your class library, or a dictionary if you have them to start with. I send my kids a postcard to welcome them and ask them to bring a favorite book to share. How to handle textbooks properly needs to be part of the established routine.