Many issues of The Mailbox magazine Preschool edition have a feature titled “Problem Solved.” Let’s face it, being in a classroom with a herd of children can present some problems. And it’s always good to know what other teachers do when faced with these problems. It’s great to provide some answers for classroom challenges!
So here is my latest question:
How do you organize for the first day of school to avoid utter chaos?
Do you have some thoughts? Submit your idea here! If I choose to purchase your idea for publication, you’ll get $20. Yep. It’s super easy. And you’ll be helping your fellow teachers avoid a first day of school that will make them want to tear their hair out.
Thanks a bunch!
To organize the first day of school (which is meet the teacher & orientation). I have student folders already set out on the tables and I have a PowerPoint presentation loaded on my board with major talking points. I also provide students and siblings with a coloring sheet to color while I speak to parents. This method allows me to speak with parents and helps remind me of important information.
To organize the first day with students I have many school related books to read the children. I first introduce the circle time routine with the book Time for Listening. After circle time we then have center time. During this time I would split the class in half. I take half to each center and introduce the items and rules of the center. While I am with one group my paraprofessional will work with the other half by reading some school related books or with a first day of school art project. After finishing the centers we switch. Then the students will go to centers.
To help with transportation issues I have bus tags with the children’s name and bus number. Additionally on the back of the tag I put the address and phone number.
Hi Amanda! This is Kim from The Mailbox. I’m interested in purchasing your idea related to your circle time routine on the first day of school. If you would like to sell your idea for publication, please reply with your full name, phone number, address, and the name/city/state of the school at which you teach, if you’re currently teaching. (If you would rather not put that info in a comment on the blog, you can send me a personal email at [email protected].) Your payment for the idea will be $20 and will arrive in the mail.
My plan is to put your idea in the July/August 2016 issue of The Mailbox: Preschool.
Thanks a bunch!
Kimberly Brugger
Senior Editor
We order and supply most school supplies at our school for a small fee. In August my daughter and I go to school and label everything and organize the desks, etc. This way I can spend the first day/week building relationships and establishing routines!
Hi Jennifer! This is Kim from The Mailbox. I’m interested in purchasing your idea. If you would like to sell your idea for publication, please reply with your full name, phone number, address, and the name/city/state of the school at which you teach, if you’re currently teaching. (If you would rather not put that info in a comment on the blog, you can send me a personal email at [email protected].) Your payment for the idea will be $20 and will arrive in the mail.
My plan is to put your idea in the July/August 2016 issue of The Mailbox: Preschool.
Thanks a bunch!
Kimberly Brugger
Senior Editor
I plan a parent meeting with just parents prior to the first day. I show them everything and go through the parent handbook that contains my contact information, special activities such as star of the week, the auto show all the things that we do. BUT most importantly it contains a page of what to do when you arrive at school that you are to sign in, check your file, help your child find their name tag and so forth.
I also post this sheet on the parent board so its available.
I also ask veteran parents to give a hand with parents who seem a bit at a loss and children. For the children I do a one hour session and make it fun. Everything is labeled with their name including name mats for where they sit.
Hi Darlene! This is Kim from The Mailbox. I always appreciate your blog comments! 🙂 I’m interested in purchasing your idea. If you would like to sell your idea for publication, please reply with your full name, phone number, address, and the name/city/state of the school at which you teach, if you’re currently teaching. (If you would rather not put that info in a comment on the blog, you can send me a personal email at [email protected].) Your payment for the idea will be $20 and will arrive in the mail.
My plan is to put your idea in the July/August 2016 issue of The Mailbox: Preschool.
Thanks a bunch!
Kimberly Brugger
Senior Editor
Before the first day of school, I have a Visit day. The children come visit for an hour while the parents meet and socialize in another room with refreshments.
We look at a scavenger map that I prepared. The children need to find their personalized coat hook, snack area, block area, carpet for circle time, library etc. At each spot, we discuss what is done in this area. The last thing they need to find is the treasure box. Inside is a special gift for each child to take home. We finish with a storybook. ☺
We have Meet the Teacher night a few days before school begins. (I teach pre-k.) I bring my camera, and I take a photo of each child. I write their names on sentence strips, then put their photo at the end of their name. I make several copies, laminate them, and put them in the important places around the room: table seat, cubbie, job board, name basket, sticker chart, home/school chart, etc. Then, when the first day of school arrives, the students know where to go. It makes the first day go so much smoother!