First days

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2002 : July : 31

First days
By Julie/IN

This is my fifth time to start a new year--I still get nervous! You mentioned that you don't feel that college prepared you for these things...I learned more in my first year of teaching than I ever did in four years of
college. You're going to get so much on-the-job training this year! Get ready to really grow as a teacher!
As for the first days of school, along with teaching procedures and get-to-know-you activites, you should have a few writing activities. Also, I would go ahead and start teaching math--unless you group for math with the other fourth grade teachers. In that case, you'll need to check

with them. I suggest easing into your subject areas. Also find a good chapter book to start doing daily read-alouds from. The sooner you can get your kids into a regular rhythm, the better. Plus, consider each day very important to teach what your kids need to learn this year. Start teaching content area on the first days of school--just ease your students into it.

Do you have a mentor at your school? He/she could help you plan some first day activities. How about other teachers in your grade level? You could find out what they're doing the first few days.

I think a good rule of thumb is to over plan versus under planning. That goes for the first days of school, too!