First-Day Ideas
Posted by Debra Liverman on 13 Aug 2008 | Posted in: Teachers and Teaching, The Mailbox
By now you’ve probably heard that we updated The MAILBOX Intermediate starting with the August/September issue. (Take a peek here if you haven’t seen it.) We are all very excited about it! One of the newest departments that we added to that magazine is called “What Works for You?” The featured topic in the Aug/Sep issue was first-day ideas. Here is a look at the four ideas that Peggy (Managing Editor) selected for the magazine.
In just a few weeks (or days!), school bells will be ringing around the country. In order to get everyone ready, I’d love for you to share with other readers “What first-day activities work for YOU?”
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48 Responses to “First-Day Ideas”
More Comments Pages: [1] 2 3 4 » Show All Comments
More Comments Pages: [1] 2 3 4 » Show All Comments
Thanks for the dough recipe. I can’t wait to use it
Here’s the magic playdough activity. I handed this to a few k-1-2 teachers at my school and they were thrilled with the idea.
I haven’t personally tried it, but I will as soon as I have a k-1-2 classroom!
Playdough Recipe
You will need:
1 cup salt
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups water
food coloring
What to do:
Whisk together the dry ingredients in a saucepan. Add the “wet” ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture forms into a ball (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from pan on to floured surface. Cool slightly. Then knead it until smooth. Store in ziplock bag or airtight container in the fridge.
How to add the “magic”:
Form the playdough into ball shapes. Poke a hole in the ball and put 2 or 3 drops of food coloring in the hole. Form the playdough back into a ball again, covering the drops of food coloring.
This ball of playdoh is fun
But it’s magical as well.
With a few squeezes,
The future it will tell.
If it changes color,
A great year is ahead for you and me.
Squeeze it now!
What do you see?
Enjoy!
I am looking for the story/recipe of the friendship fruit salad with the rotten banana. I’ve heard of it but would love to see the directions so I can do it correctly with my Pre K students, and we can talk about how to be a good friend.
I would really love to get a copy of the magic dough recipe. I think that’s a wonderful addition to go along with the Kissing Hand story and the others that were mentioned.
Did anyone get the magic playdough recipe??? I would like it as well thanks
I read about the magic play dough but I don’t see a recipe for it. I would like to do it in my classroom.
I got a great idea from a teacher friend. The students write a story about a single incident that happened over the summer. I stress that it doesn’t have to be something monumental. A trip to the park or a bike ride is great. The catch is that they write from the point of view of one of their shoes. This is a tough skill for some. You can make it easier by first writing the incident from first person, then switching it to the shoe’s perspective. The kids enjoy it and they can be quite clever.
I would like to know the magic play dough recipe. I don’t remember ever reading about it and if I did I should have tried it. It sounds like a great way to ease nerves on the first day of preschool. Can anyone help.
Thanks
I read the book “Miss Nelson is Missing” to my 3rd graders on the first day. After reading the book we list all the bad things that Miss Nelson’s class does in the beginning of the story. Then next to each behavior we list how our class can behave in the correct way. This list then becomes our class rules for the year.
I used the ‘magic playdough good year predicter’ on our first day of school. It was a huge hit. We began with a reading of “The Kissing Hand” then found a Note ‘from Chester’ at the end of the book. The note sent us on a tour of the school with a promise of a prize at the end. We went to important places in the building and found paw prints with a heart stamped in the center and a direction to our next place. At the end, we were directed to the Principal’s office and were given the last paw print directing us to our room and the basket of playdough balls in individual baggies. In the basket was a note about the playdough saying that if it changed color while they were kneading then they would have a wonderful year. The looks on their faces and excitement in their voices was priceless as they experienced the color changes!
Over the summer I send a letter to our parents and incoming preschoolers. I also send something for each child to complete and bring for our bulletin board on the first day. This year I sent home a jewel with each child’s name, and asked them to color it their favorite color and cut it out. The bulletin board has a treasure chest and is entitled “YOU ARE A TREASURE”. I read Suzanne Bloom’s book TREASURE to the class and parents. The children dig in our rice table for jewels and do a scavenger hunt with their parents!
My prek teacher will use the gingergread man cookie idea for her class this year. It will teach math and thinking skills along with having fun. Great idea