Going into my third year I feel MUCH more comfortable than I did my first two — but I still have those beginning of the year jitters much like any teacher does!
One thing that I felt was missing my first two years was cohesion that first week of school. There are so many tasks that need to be completed — paperwork, baseline assessments, learning routines, learning and practicing procedures, getting to know you activities, etc. — but there’s nothing that really binds it all together naturally!
Last year, at the end of the first week, I swore to myself that next year — next year there’d be a theme. Bear with me here, but I have #reasons. Here are my top two:
- Engagement. Thematic teaching — even of procedures — ENGAGES children. And that’s the most important thing, I feel, the first week. Hooking them into the power and awesomeness of your classroom and learning!
- A back-up plan. When you’ve got a theme, there is SO MUCH you can do with it to extend beyond what you’ve already structured or planned. Did those lunch-line procedures take a lot less time than you’d planned? Awesome, well it’s rockstar week, so let’s have a silent air-guitar contest!
I’ve been mulling over my first week of school theme ALL summer. I’ve been eyeing some clipart sets… and brainstorming… but nothing special was happening.
Then Krista Wallden {from Creative Clips} posted her Rockstar Kids. I literally GASPED in the middle of Target. I looked kind of like this:
So I kept creating… and creating… and creating…
So that’s my little dude. Modeling his own first day sign. That I added to the pack. {Let’s just ignore the fact he’s seriously going to Kindergarten.}
I said to William, “Which bracelet do you want to model?” and without hesitation, “THE DUDE WITH THE GUITAR!” Alright then, son!
I’m just going to let you soak it in for a minute. Seriously, who remembers waiting for your favorite song to come on the radio and then scrambling to hit record?! Me. This girl. And that song was totally from New Kids on the Block. I cannot wait to explain what the heck that thing is, and what a mixtape is! {Also? I totally loved reflecting on what an awesome summer this has been!}
I also — in my #can’tstopcreating glory — added a few other gems:
