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”
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More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 » Show All Comments
Since my school is near the beach, I have a bulletin board with dolphins, fish, sharks, etc. and the caption says “Swimming into New Learning Activities”. The students are reminded of the ocean and are ready to start learning new and innovative subjects and activities. Fun way to get back into the swing of school yet have the seashore feeling in the class.
I have also used “The Kissing Hand” as an introduction to preschool. During Open House after I read the story I have the parents trace their child’s hand and the child traces (with help) their parents hand. The hands are cut out and then decorated using a variety of media. Each parent and child has a “kissing hand” to help them through those first few days of Preschool.
I also suggest a photo key chain with pictures of parents or sibs or pets, that may help new preschoolers adjust.
I love the idea of the magic playdough, I think I will use that on the first day. Thanks.
Tish
On the first day of preschool each child is asked to bring an empty shoebox. I have the children decorate their boxes according to their imaginations.
They take their boxes home and fill them with personal items to share with the class the next day.
I always have my own “All about me” box to share on the first day to show the class my favorite items.
For my September them I am going to use The Crayon Box that Talked.I feel that this is a great way to start out the year. I will have the children decorate crayon people and we will hang these on a poster board to represent a box of crayons. I will place the poem in the center. I am also taking their picture the first day of school and making a frame using foam and crayons.
I am doing a balloon theme for my 4 year old class this year. My bulletin board says “Let’s Celebrate a New Year” with a big bouquet of balloons and the child’s name on the balloons. Everything I am doing is balloon related. It has turned out absolutely precious.
I use the book “The Kissing Hand” for my first day of school activity. I always have so many come in that don’t want to leave their parents. This book helps cheer them up tremendously. After the story, we trace and cut out our own hand. I give them a heart with a saying in the middle of it. They then get to take it home to give to their mom or dad. In the past I’ve had moms that in turn do one for their childs folder. Some even kept it there for the whole year!
This year in class I’m putting up a big basketball goal saying you’re on the winning team, each child will have their own ball with their name on it. I’ve put ball name tags on their tables, cubbies, all
over the class.
The first day we went out and I let my little 4 yr. olds try and make baskets..some were to little but they had alot of fun trying. We also have different balls all over the class..so they choose what kind of ball they want to play during free play.
Now not only do their big brothers have a ball team but they do to. We are learning about different shapes, colors, textures playing with the balls.
I teach second grade and this year I am reading The Little Engine That Could By Watty Piper. I have some posters about the book and a poem to read and learn about staying on track to complete work. Later we watch a video of The Little Engine That Could. When assignments and lessons get tough I can remind them of the story. I refer to it all year long.
I also read “First Day Jitters,” and I also read “Thank You Mr.Faulker,” by Patricia Polacco.
Enjoy your first day - get to know the students…and let them get to know you.
Have Fun.
Our school has Meet the Teacher night before students arrive in place of Open House. I mail a letter to my students and the first assignment…for their parents! I have the parents do a Biography Report on their child. Instuctions are given in the letter (You can purchase Biography Poster Reports at most teaching supply stores or have them do this on a poster board.) These are the things I request:
Who the biography is written by, the name of the child, What this person is famous for, a portrait (yes mom or dad have to draw a pic of their child), Quotable Quotes, Life Lessons (something they learned from their child), In Five Words (describing child), Etc. On the first day of school the student get to read and display the biography written. It is so uplifting to the students, they love to see what their parents write about them and they LOVE that their parents had an assignment!
Lots of preschool ideas…upper level…have students create a line (of people) in chronological birth month and day…no talking or mouthing…only hand signals. Kids loved it today!
My back to school bulletin board, I have a crayon cut out of various colors of construction paper and in the middle I put the caption, What a Colorful Bunch.
I also read If You Take a Mouse to School on the first day, one of my personal favorites. Then I asked the children what would happen if they brought a mouse to school. You get all kinds of silly answers.