Teachers: How do YOU start the school year?

A Teacher I had had a great way to start the year, each student filled in this sentence “I’m the only one here who…” and then would write something you probably wouldn’t guess about them. For example “Has a black belt in Tae-Kwan-do” or “Has won a medal for Irish Dancing” or “Has been to six different continents” or whatever they want. You write something too. Then, the next day you have a bingo board with each statement on it. And then kids walk around asking people if they had a certain square, and they can’t ask “Which square are you?” only yes or no questions. You have to too. And the first person to get either five in a row or all of them (Whichever you choose) wins. Though, there’s no prize, it’s fun to spend a class period figuring out interesting things about other people. I always found this a fun, entertaining way to start off the year. A light way to learn something you wouldn’t expect from a teacher, making them a little more human. And you also get to learn more about your classmates. Especially since this is sixth graders, and I’m not sure if you teach at a middle school or not. But if you do, only some of the kids will know each other, but it will still help them learn about people they know in a different light. And that’s what Junior high is, seeing things in a different light.

In all of my classes (as much as I can) make it a point to memorize names before the period’s over the first day. I can do this pretty sneakily with a seating chart and glances while they fill out their essential information, goals, etc. I am NOT a fan of the ice breaker bingo things, but I do “take bets” as to how many of the kids they think I can name as the period goes on. If I’m having trouble, I see if anyone else can beat me and name everyone (I’m surprised by how hard it is for them too.)

In my Spanish classes, I like to present my “top 10 reasons for learning Spanish,” which are a LITTLE tongue-in-cheek at times (#1 is to pick up members of the opposite sex…as my husband is a native Spanish speaker, so they get to know me a little too.) Spanish also gets a full dose of the language from Day 1 so they can look back and marvel at how much of it they understand, say, midway through, and how lost they were that first day.

In English, I start with a favorite story of mine, “Dhowli” (enough romance/sex/intrigue to keep most any teenager amused, especially if we play “storytime” and I read to them) and a “caste system” activity that allows them to put themselves in someone else’s position. I also like to set up a little research project where the kiddos determine which books the class will read together throughout the semester. That way they dive right in and get ownership…shortly after hitting them with a writing pre-test.

I do not stick to Wong and Wong like some might think I should, but I do my best to greet the kiddos by name at the door every day and have the rules posted when they walk in. As I’m sure you’ve discovered, it’s a matter of finding what you can and can’t pull off–but I too love looking for new ideas!

There are a lot of good answers here. The most successful teachers are those who greet their kids at the door in the morning and say good-bye at the end of the day, trying to make one positive comment to each child as they go. Let the kids help you build your behavior plan for the class, in that way they will take ownership. Take time to talk to your students each Friday – such as “how has the week gone for you” – many times concerns will come out – do this individually. It’s also a chance for you to go over your concerns — but always begin and leave them with a positive comment. Even if it’s just to say “I see you trying” or “you are always on time and I appreciate that.” Be real – you don’t have to be their friend but you do have to be honest. I think you sound like the kind of teacher I would like to have had. I teach special ed, fully included in a K-5 building. Good luck. Melanie

I start the year out first by “personally” introducing myself to each kid and shaking their hand – and giving a little lesson on a good firm handshake. I make it fun and light, by I look each kid in the eye, welcome them, and introduce myself. And I go to them, I don’t make them come to me, but they did have to stand up.

Then I’d go over the usual litany of what we would be doing, rules, etc. Kids expect that they need something to tell Mom & Dad about the class.

Then I would end with “storytime” that to me, summarized my goal for them. One of my favorite books is a silly children’s book – Goodnight Opus. It starts out like the same-o same-o Goodnight Moon until Opus gets carried away with his imagination and “departs from the text.” I love the tone it set for my class in wanting them to extend their writing and thinking to beyond what was in black and white. I would let them get comfy, sit on the floor, wherever, and read them the story. With the time we had left, we would discuss what it meant to “depart from the text.”

The trick was to balance was that this was a classroom and I expected them to conduct themselves as such, but that we would have fun.

Dont be one of those creepy teachers that talk to students all the time ,trying to get to know them, keep your distance from the kids, do your job, then slowly talk to the kids, be one of those teachers that are cool, dont come on too strong, cause kids HATE that.

always hand out sheets for kids to fill out about their hobbies

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