META TAG

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Back to School: Ready for Day One

In my many years of teaching I have experienced a few first days that were pure "you know what," but more often than not my first day of school is usually exhausting but exhilarating. So far this year is starting out like poetry and roses.  I am rested, relaxed, and ready.   In order to get this way, I spent endless hours in my classroom last week setting the stage for a successful year.  (And my relaxing/ pampering/ me day at the spa yesterday helped too.)


 A nice blank slate.  This is what my classroom looked like before the transformation.  :-)


 Countless hours in my classroom! But it was all worth it!



 I have read so much about "Brag Tags" and am super excited to use them in my classroom this year!  There is a wealth of resources on TPT for Brag Tags if you are interested.  I will keep you updated on how my students respond to using them, and how I implement them in the classroom.



 From Left to Right:  Elements of Vocabulary, Nifty Thrifty Fifty, Evidence Based Terms for Writing, and Science Vocabulary


 My desk area: teacher editions, fridge, printer, etc all are in this location.



One of my favorite areas.  Last year I stapled the standards to a bulletin board.  Ug!  What a waste of space that was.  This is soooo much better.  I laminated 3 sheets of construction paper, hot glued them to the wall, then hot glued pretty clips to them and there you have it!



Now remember, day 1 sets the tone for the remainder of the school year.  First impressions are everything!
Here are some tips that I follow for a successful first day:
1.) Have Extra Copies of EVERYTHING
Make extra copies.  JUST IN CASE.  There is nothing worse that being one or two copies short.  Have extra pencils stashed around the room in case, ahem for when, students misplace their own.

2.) Be Organized, Tidy, and Ready
Try to get to school on the earlier side.  For instance, teachers report in my school at 7:30.  Tomorrow, I will arrive at 7:00 am.  Walk around your room.  If you haven't done so already, label your supplies.

3.) Be Ready for Everything and ANYTHING
Try to stay calm.  Not everything is going to go as you planned.  That's ok.

4.) Start learning names now.
If you aren't sure how to pronounce a student's name, ASK.  Write it down phonetically.  Practice.  Call on that student by name.  Praise that student, using his/ her name.  Learn the names.  Don't be THAT teacher who butchers names and thinks it's not a big deal.  It is.

Have a great school year!
~Sandra @The Happy Learning Den

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