I'm New! Help!

[nafmeadmin]

What does the first day of school look like? What are the most important things to do and what information should I cover in that first lesson? I have 45 minute blocks, so it’s quite a bit of time. Any suggestions on name games?

[nafmeadmin]

Classroom routines and expectations are important to teach and re-teach in the first weeks. I always like to do an introduction game where everyone says their name and something fun they did during the summer. With Kindergarten students I bring a short book to read—I have several books of songs like “Eensy Weensy Spider,” Twinkle Twinkle, etc. I think it’s important to sing something the first day—-review songs from the year before and/or teach something new. I also like to do some kind of movement activity, like John Feierabend’s Move it! routines to classical music, or a singing game or folk dance. Since you’re new, everything will be new to the kids. You have to figure out what you want your room to look like for entering, exiting, sitting on chairs or floor, moving furniture if needed, getting equipment, cleaning up, getting to and from dance or game formations, bathroom or drink chances. Lots of procedures and routines to teach. Once you stay in a school for a while, the majority of the kids will know how things go and it can be a shorter segment to review the high points.
Good luck!

[nafmeadmin]

Get a hold of Harry Wong’s The first days of school book (sorry for no caps or quotes, I’m on the way out.) Drill rules, consequences, expectations, emergency procedures and have kids write pertinent info on a card for you. I ask for their grade level, hr teacher, parent name and phone #s, fav artist. This takes a good half hour. Then do a name game – possibly add a drum. Have them dance, show them that Music is going to be fun. The idea with a long block is break it up as much as you can. This is especially necessary with little kids – PreK -2.

The second and third classes give older kids seating assignments – if you have chairs!! Drill rules and consequences, procedures etc again. Continue this for at least the first 3 weeks. But again, make it fun!! If you hook them early, management problems will be far less. Use difficult / needy kids as helpers for little things, makes them feel important and less likely to act up for negative attention. Those kids will get attention any way they can, but your (challenging!!) job is to make it positive attention that they get. Don’t be afraid to ask the classroom teachers for help with individual kids; they know them best.

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