Setting Students Up for a Successful Year... part 3

Focus on First Day(s) Lessons

What are you teaching and why?

There are so many items that need to be taught that first day...but not EVERYTHING needs to be taught.

Carefully, decide what is necessary to teach now and what will be better suited for a later lesson.  
    Example: I don't need to teach cafeteria behaviors as my first lesson of the day.  It would stick in their heads if we do that when we go to the cafeteria.  I may pre-teach a bit right before heading out but the bulk of the instruction about appropriate cafeteria behaviors is best suited to be taught in the cafeteria.

Brainstorm a list. Then rank or order according to your day.
       Here are some of the items on my list:
            classroom expectations (1)
            procedures for .... (3)
            entering and exiting the room (2)
            restroom/nurse/office/resource room/library...(goes w/1)

NOW for the fun...
    Figure out ways to engage your students in the process of learning these important items.

Lesson Classroom Expectations:
If you read the first two parts of this series you know how we start the first day. From that point, we go outside with a huge ball, jump rope, and maybe a couple other non-related items. I tell them to play "The Game."  No explanations! They will look at you like you are crazy or they are completely confused. It is okay. Just keep repeating, play the game. Someone eventually will step up and be the leader. After they "play" for a few minutes. Call them to sit down and discuss how they knew what to do? How did it feel to not know what to do? Did everyone feel the same or believe it should be played that way?  Turn it to...how do you know how to play soccer, softball...?  There are rules.  Then explain that is why we need rules in school.  We all need to understand the expectations to function as a large group.  We also discuss the difference between home and school.

Return inside and develop classroom expectations together.  I have a poster that says LEARN down the left side.  (4th/5th grade) We discuss how we want it to look, feel and sound in the room, then brainstorm words/phrases to go with LEARN (acrostic) for our classroom "rules." They all sign it and make their own copy to go home for parent signature.

Lessons are best if they are taught right where & when they happen.

Teach recess procedures such as how to exit the building when it is time to go to recess. Procedures for playground equipment can be taught quickly.  Finally, lining up and enterance into the building.  

These are just the start to what you do everyday.  Think it through and design a plan of implementation. 

Lastly, remember to revisit the procedures the next day and again a couple times in the next two weeks.  

YEAH!! You made it through the first day!! 

Now...What is the rest of the week going to look like?

If you want a great resource with very specific items to consider and think over, check out the second part of this series.  It contains a link to a book near the end that will take you step by step into a successful beginning of the year. 

Why is this series on a differentiation blog?? Well, you CANNOT run a successful differentiated or competency-based classroom without clear expectations and routines.  GO BE GREAT!

Kim