Welcoming New Students
Posted by Hope Spencer on 28 Oct 2009 | Posted in: Classroom Management, Classroom Routines, Teachers and Teaching
Because my dad was in the air force for 30 years, I changed schools many times. Being the new kid was always a challenge, but I was fortunate to have friendly, understanding teachers to make me feel welcome and help me find my way. And, because my family usually lived on or near a base, there were a lot of other students who understood how I felt.
Coincidentally, my first teaching job was near the base in Bellevue, Nebraska. We had a lot of new students who came to our building. We also had students who registered in our classes for only a short time while their families looked for permanent residence. Sometimes a child would be in my class for three or four weeks and then move on. Other times I could get three new students in a week.
During my first few months, I had trouble with this. I was never prepared when the secretary brought a new student to my door. As I began to get myself together, I developed methods to deal with new students and to help them adjust to their new class. I started keeping at least two extra desks on hand. Each desk was stocked with a supply of textbooks, a couple of pencils, and paper. When the child came in, the class introduced itself and then I assigned a peer buddy, someone who could show the child around and answer any questions.
On the other hand, not all school experiences were like mine. My husband grew up in a community where he went to school with the same group of kids from kindergarten through high school. I wouldn’t trade my experience, but I am curious about this. I wonder what the pros and cons are for teachers in each situation. I loved meeting so many new students who had lived in so many places. But I can also see the advantages of being with the same group of friends all your life (and knowing the student body very well). It’s an interesting topic for an air force brat like me.
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when i get a new student i also have a helper show them around and let them know the do’ and don’ts we also have a welcoming song that we sing
when I get a new student in my class room I pick a child to show them around and tell them what is expected in class at all times. The kids love to help others which is a great thing, and any time we get a new stedent they always want to help.
My kids went to school in a small town all their lives until this fall, when we moved to a new state. My son is a junior and my daughter is in 7th grade. They greatly miss the comfort of being around friends who know and love them well! But, it does seem to me that the challenges they face this year as they meet and “grow” new friendships, and adapt to a somewhat different culture, will benefit them all their lives.
I am teaching in a school this year where everyone knows everyone and their children have all gone to the same school with the same teachers for years. Heck even some of them went to the school when they were little. It must be hard for new children to feel accepted because I’ve found it difficult as a teacher moving to this school to try build “credibility” with these parents.
We live in a small town so my children go to school with the same group of children from kindergarten to high school. I love it! I think they do too. I went to a school that had 600+ in my graduating class. My girls don’t even have 600 in their school. It is nice to know everyone and have that comfort.