First Day of School
I’m into a student centered classroom. What does it say when the first thing we do on the first day is have kids sit and wait for us to talk about ourselves and sit through a list of rules?
What do we do the #firstday to have kids running to class the second day?
#firstday Hashtag
Use the hashtag #firstday to share your ideas for engaging students in an experience the first day. If you haven’t read Teach Like a Pirate I highly recommend it. “You don’t teach a lesson, you create an experience.”
Community Builders Not Rules
Awhile back I posted what Barton Keeler uses for his class rules. We changed it from rules to community builders.
Tweets
School starts on the 21st SOLAR ECLIPSE!!!!
— Mykel (@Bro_Mykel) August 6, 2017
I’m going back to Author of the Month projects. Ss have 40 choices of projects to pick from. Former Ss ❤️ed this so I’m bringing it back.
— MomOfBoys76 (@sandylandvick) August 6, 2017
I teach 6th grade, as well. Humor is so underutilized. It’s great at that age level, especially the 1st day.
— Cup of Joe (@HUGEU2FAN) August 6, 2017
First day I ask Ss what they want and think they need to know this year. Choose any seat & let’s chat
— Melissa-Ann Pero (@bshsmspero) August 6, 2017
Relationships, not rules. Our project for the first week is to create a music video for our class theme song. So much fun!
— Allison Kerley (@TeachKerley) August 6, 2017
I think doing some science is the best way to make all that a clear review for students 🙂
— Luann ChristensenLee (@stardiverr) August 6, 2017
Shake hands and introduce myself individually to each student so they know they are important. Also begins teaching self-representation.
— Linden Barrick (@LBarrick) August 6, 2017
This year our first day is the ECLIPSE! So we have a schoolwide viewing party and activities planned! Fun!
— Jac Richardson (@jacrichardson) August 6, 2017
Starting off with a lab/inquiry investigation. Kids will learn rules and my class expectations as they go
— Layla Gregory (@LaylaLGregory) August 6, 2017
That sounds great! I can’t think of much else that would kill their enthusiasm than rules, syllabus, guidelines, etc. all day long.
— Chris Baker (@bakerhhhs) August 6, 2017
#studentvoice & #studentchoice ?? make them feel loved, known, and creators of their own environment. Just how I want to feel at work! ??
— Desirae (@DesiraeRieke) August 6, 2017
#studentvoice & #studentchoice ?? make them feel loved, known, and creators of their own environment. Just how I want to feel at work! ??
— Desirae (@DesiraeRieke) August 6, 2017
don’t barrage them w/rules, get 2 know each other w/games, write them notes on their desks welcoming them, let them I’m happy they are there
— Jesus Huerta (@jesush1979) August 6, 2017
Engineering design activity #firstday No rules No syllabus- jump into hands on activity, brainstorming and designing.
— FoTech-Riggins (@FoTechRiggins) August 6, 2017
Team building activities. Building up that sense of community in the classroom. Sharing with them that we are in this together! #FirstDay
— MrW (@Mr_W83) August 6, 2017
I’ve thrown back-to-school parties on the first day of school. I also use their energy to help me set up the classroom. They become owners.
— Terry Janes (@Teachintjay) August 6, 2017
Murder mystery investigation. Team building activity. No rules or syllabus talk.
— Kelly Fitchpatrick (@kfitch831) August 6, 2017
6 thoughts on “#firstday How Do You Engage Students to Want to Come Back”
Paper Tower Challenge!
Centers that encourage discussion and building relationships, along with some reading time for my sixth graders.
Telling students the rules and expectations of the class and what they will learn are the most important things to do on the first day.
I will disagree, “Telling kids the rules” the first day is NOT the most important.
Creative Commons has great images for free using Flickr. Ss walk in to a striking image and are asked to discuss “What sort of math ideas are you reminded of from last year as you look at this image?”
This year we are beginning the year with a dunk tank, ice cream truck and food truck! In my classroom I always start with some fun icebreakers with the freshmen and a brainteaser or two for my sophomores with a focus on communication and collaboration. With the freshman I will also be doing a Google Tools/Tech Tools refresher to start off on point!