How I Plan My 1st Days Back to School

      I suggest that new teachers and veteran teachers create a detailed outline for the first few days of school. The day can be overwhelming for all teachers. I have also found that my schedule is different every year; therefore, I need the outline to keep me on schedule (I do not want to be late for lunch). 

       The 1st week is an important week to establish routine procedures and expectations. My goal is for the students to learn classroom expectations and rules while having a fun day. I want them to look forward to coming back to school the following day. I try to follow my new school schedule. For example, if it is math then I plan a purposeful math activity during that time frame. 

The following is an example of my outline. Some of the products/resources mentioned are my own products; however, some are from TPT and Pinterest and I do not own them. Please use the following outline to create your own. I hope you have a wonderful 2019-2020 school year!!!

1st Day of School Outline

MORNING:

Explain how students are expected to enter the classroom and unpack.

A summer to tweet about writing assignment and craft/ or a back to school word search

Provide students with an example and needed mater (TPT Product) (I do not own)

1st activity -Morning writing craftivity. Teacher will collect lunch,  fees, supplies, and attendance. 

_________________________________________________

Once done with morning collection and  school announcements

Start by introducing myself to the students:
*Name, years teaching, and my excitement for the year. Allow students to introduce themselves. 

Explain the schedule for the day. On the 1st day,  I always write the schedule on board (Especially Lunch and PE )

Explain line up expectations and hallways expectations. Have a student model how to not line up. Also allow a student to model how to not act in the hall. Then have a student line up correctly and how to act in the hall.    

Explain restroom procedures and expectations

Practice how to line up correctly 

Explain how they are expected to reenter the classroom

GO TO RESTROOM

Once you return from restroom:
Have students come to the whole group carpet

Go over Whole Brain teaching rules and expectations 

Whole Brain Introduction and practice:

Class /Yes -Practice

Hands and eyes

Mirrors and words /Practice

Cover rules and Practice Mirrors and words

Teach OK

Go over rules again- allow students to practice teach ok with the classroom rules

Explain what happens if one does not follow the rules

__________________________________________________
Reading Block:-Whole group carpet

Read aloud The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

-Have the students predict what will happen in the book.
-As you read, continue to encourage the students to predict what will happen next. 
-How did the character feel at the beginning of the book?
-How did the character change throughout the book?
-What lesson did the main character learn?
- How do you feel about the main character’s teacher?

Allow students to complete a drawing start of a dot. Give each student a plain sheet of paper with a large dot on the paper. Allow the students “think time” to think of different things they could make out of the dot. 
-Provide an example on the board.
-Explain the importance of thinking outside the box. 
-Encourage them to color the whole page and add details to their drawings. 
-Tell them to not share their ideas until told to do so.
-Early finishers may read quietly at their desk. 
__________________________________________________

Introduce reading stations brochure
Explain Each Station and expectations
_________________________________________________

Use this time to introduce your expectations and allow students to practice reading stations using brochure and centers folder 

Introduce students to each station and station expectations

Model how to conduct each station

__________________________________________________

**Practice how to line up and hallway expectations

PE/Recess**-When they get back from P.E. allow the to practice stations/centers 
__________________________________________________

When students return allow them time to practice guided reading expectations (centers, stations, Daily 5, tasks cards, or reading workshop) 

Walk around and monitor the stations and classroom noise level. 

__________________________________________________

**Practice how to correctly line up/review hallway rules and expectations

Lunch

Math Block

Model how to correctly label the math notebook title page.

Date/ Title of Lesson/ Page #

8/9/19   Numbers About Me  # 1

1st page of math notebook: Numbers about me/Share with class/ 
*Provide a teacher example. Students draw a self portrait of themselves in the middle of a page then they select 4 numbers that are important to them. Allow them to share their numbers with group and partner.  

Math color worksheet (addition/subtraction)
_________________________________________________

REVIEW RULES class yes
Mirrors and words/ Review class rules
_________________________________________________

GROUP WORK: Expectations and practice/STEM activity

Paper chain Challenge (Teacher Pay Teacher: free-Not my product) Discuss how to work in a group and how to not work in a group. Discuss why working in a group is important.
Place students in groups and allow them time to complete the activity. 
__________________________________________________

Mood Ring Writing: Pinterest Examples

BREAK/SNACK

Finish Math worksheet

HOMEWORK All about me bag!!! Assignment (PINTEREST)

PACK UP ROUTINE 

YAY!!! You had a great 1st day! 

2nd Day of School 

Morning work: Glad to be in 3rd grade worksheet (Pinterest) 
**Teacher collects fees, attendance, and lunch count
__________________________________________________
Practice Whole Brain Rules
If you are using Whole Brain review:
Class yes
Hands and eyes
We are going to review the rules 
Mirrors and words/ Rules
Restroom expectations and hall expectations same monitors
Line up and go to the restroom
__________________________________________________
**Reading Block: Whole group carpet

Read aloud :The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes/ Discuss 

All about me BAGS -Allow students to share with class

__________________________________________________
Practice line up expectations and review hallway expectations

P.E./Recess
__________________________________________________

Use this time to practice your guided reading stations 

Start pulling students and listen to them read to start assigning them to guided reading groups.

Review how to line up and hallway expectations

Lunch

Start Go math lesson 1 -place value-Math notebook

STEM ACTIVITY/Cooperative learning:

Save Fred activity (GROUP WORK) -Pinterest

Write: I am unique because… (writing journal)

BREAK/SNACK/RESTROOM

PACK UP 

Congrats!!  :)