Today I am linking up with the Kinder Tribe blog for What Went Well Wednesday.
Click on the button above to check out some kinder teachers' awesome ideas and join in on the link up!
Since we are gearing up for another school year, I thought I would share what went well on my first day of school last year. These are things that I will definitely be implementing again this year with my kinder kiddos.
Line students up with numbers.
This trick works wonders for quickly teaching your students how to form a line. Each of my students is given a number on the first day of school indicating which cubbie is theirs and where they stand in line.
We practice finding their number a couple of times and after that they are good to go! No arguing about who stands where or confusion when we get in our lunch line. This also works in specials classes that don't have numbers on their floor because the students learn who they stand behind.
Collect a Work Sample
I collect a work sample on the very first day of school with a simple coloring sheet. This quickly tells me who can write their name and who has never held a pencil before. We complete these sheets again on the 100th day of school to see how much we have improved. This students love showing their growth!
Ask Your Students What They Want To Learn
I did not take a picture of this, but last year I asked the students "What do you want to learn about?" I gave each student a chance to answer and we recorded their answers on a chart that we displayed in the room. This worked well for many reasons. First, it gave every student the opportunity to participate on the very first day. It also gave me insight into the students' special interests. I then referred to this list throughout the entire year when planning lessons and special units.
Include Playtime
This is an entirely new setting and experience for your students. Build in some playtime during those first few days for them to explore and interact. They will be very curious and will also need the break time during those long first days.
Thank you for stopping by! Please leave comments if you have any questions about our first day of school.
Don't forget to also head back over to The Kinder Tribe for the linky party!
I love your work samples! Those are so fun to watch the kids grow! I hope parents enjoy them as much as we do!
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I have students draw a self portrait on the first day, again in the middle, and in the end of the year. Parents love it. Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteMy Fabulous Class
That is a great idea! I might have to try that as well this year.
DeleteI use those little library pockets too, I have them in my student lockers and they keep their PBIS tickets inside. I love your idea about using numbers to line up with, I might try that this year! You are so right about having a work sample for the beginning and end of the year, and I love your idea about having them all participate in charting what they want to learn about!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing such great tips with us, I hope you have an amazing school year!
Erin
Kindergarten Dragons
I've definitely seen people line students up on numbers on the floor before, but never thought of assigning students a particular number! That would definitely save a lot of fights...especially the "he cutted!" ones! LOL
ReplyDeleteCarlee Van Ness
The Kindergarten Press
Wow, thanks for these great ideas!
ReplyDeleteI am going to make number spaces this year, too. I think "s/he cut me!" is THE most irritating phrase ever! I will make sure we don't have that problem! I love how you assigned them the space- no confusion!
Thanks for sharing out!
Deirdre
Mrs. Garcia's Super Scholars!
I also do the coloring assessment the first day- it is SO telling! It always amazes me to look back at the end of the year and see how far we've come!