Wallpaper Euro 2012

Showing posts with label first day. Show all posts

So What Do You Do on the First Day of School?

Friday it happened. That wonderful, magical, nightmare inducing first day with the kids. It went fast, in fact, besides the occasional hunger pang from not having lunch until 12:30, I didn't notice the passing of the day much. Just a blur and then done.

So what does a teacher do on their first day? We laughed a lot. We also spoke a lot. I led some discussions but the kids did most of the talking, sharing, and deciding. We discussed rules but not in a traditional sense with me setting them, rather we discussed what they already knew. What types of rules are helpful for a classroom? Why do teachers set rules? Do we need them posted or do we know them by heart? In fact, I wrote a whole post on the rules discussion we missed.

But we also worked on clerical stuff like lunch magnets, popsicle sticks, pencil cup name tags and where in the world do you put your lunch box. The kids asked questions, dispelled myths about their teacher - for some reason they say I am fun and I don't know where they have that from. They also tried to figure out what the 10 pictures below meant to their teacher. They all thought I liked to collect china and liked to kick rocks.

And then we connected, we opened up and we just came together. I shared how nervous I get before the first day of school. I shared how excited I was and how I couldn't wait to learn with them. I shared how we have one word that shows us as a class and that word is represent. We live up to that word in whatever we do.

I challenged them in the Bloxes challenge, which if you haven't tried this with your students, you should. We spent time with the other 5th grade classrooms because we believe that we are on this grade level and that all of the kids are our kids. And then the end of the day. How to dismiss, how to remember everything, and already sad to say goodbye. These kids snuck into my heart faster than I had thought possible and I am thankful for them. I get to be a part of their life this year; what a gift. One student said it best at the end of the day as I waved goodbye, "Thank you." And I wanted to say, "No, thank you."

Do We Need to Set the Rules? Or Do Kids Already Know Them?

Photo Courtesy of Bloggertone

Yesterday was my very first day with my 24 new 5th graders. I don't know who was more nervous; me or them. As we got settled into our new tables, 23 sets of eyes on me (one child is still on vacation) eagerly awaiting what this teacher would share with them I asked; what is the first thing teachers usually talk about on the first day of school? Hands shot up and one child blurted out "Rules!"

It's true, isn't it? One of the first things we welcome students into our rooms with is indeed the discussion of rules. Walk into almost any classroom on the first day of school and somewhere on the agenda is a discussion of rules or an explanation of the rule poster that is already on the wall. As some of you may know, there are no rules posted in my room. And yet the kids knew that rules had to be discussed. They knew it was important, they knew that in fact it is one of the first things we choose to welcome students with.

The room got really quiet, the kids were waiting for me to list the rules but I didn't. Instead I asked them whether they knew the rules? A couple of kids nodded. "Again, don't you already know the rules of a classroom?" More nods. "Isn't this your 6th year in school?" All nodded and starting to wake up a little. "Do you need me to explain the rules or can you tell me what they are?" With this, the buzzing started. That little bit of chatter that kids get involved in when they start to see the light. "We know the rules, I know how to act, we can set the rules...."

So I told them to discuss rules at their tables; what works for a classroom, what type of environment do we need to learn in, what do you need, and the kids took it from there. They all brainstormed and then shared their ideas and guess what; they knew it all. How to respect, how to work, how to be a community. We discussed fidgeting which in my book just means the teacher is boring or you need to get out of your seat. We discussed interruptions and blurting out, how to be safe, how to be nice (You don't have to be friends with everyone, but you do have to be nice to them). And then we decided that we didn't need to discuss anymore because we all knew what the expectations were. In fact, they decided we didn't need to post our discussion because our rules are going to change and that maybe they shouldn't be called rules but rather just expectations. And with that our expectations were set and for now I don't need to spend anymore time discussing them.

I gave my students a voice and let them lead and they showed me they already know. I am so excited for the rest of the year.

Dear First Year Pernille

Image from here

Dear First Year Pernille,
You did it! You got the job you set your heart on and now comes the part you have been looking forward to; teaching! I know life has a lot in store for you this first year, already you are 4 months pregnant on the first day of school, and yet there are just a few things I want you to know before you start.

Stop stressing over your room! Now is the time to be outside going for a walk, not laboring over the placement of posters, bulletin boards or welcome signs. The kids will hardly notice it so give yourself a break. Even if it feels like a hallway bulletin board competition at times - it's not.

Ask more questions. Your teammates are some of the kindest and smartest people around. Don't feel that you are a burden or that you should already know. You are new, don't feel like you have to act like you already know the answer.

Trust your gut. Feel that little tingle in your stomach? Besides the baby, that's your intuition trying to tell you to listen to it. So absolutely go ahead and use some of those same programs but then spend some time finding yourself as well. Make this your room with your teaching style, not a watered down version of someone else's.

Allow yourself to fail. The students love it when we fail, why? Because it shows we are humans. The sooner you embrace your failures as another step in learning, the sooner you can get over it, and the more you will be a role model for the kids.

Don't beat yourself up. Not everything will be perfect, even for an overachiever like yourself. Some days will be amazing, others will not. Don't worry there will be more good than bad but when those bad ones come around - give yourself a break.

Smile. Love. Laugh. Share. Think. Reflect. Question. Be kind. Be brave. Be you. Everything is going to be just fine. Oh, and do get on Twitter.

Dear New Mrs. Ripp Student

Tomorrow is our first day together and even though we teachers benefit from our vacation almost as much as you do, we also spend a lot of time preparing and waiting anxiously for you to come back to us. This year was no different for me, except if at all possible, I was even more excited to have you come back. You see, we are a combination classroom. A bunch of 4th and 5th graders thrown together, it is now us against the world no matter our age or our grade; we belong. And while others may look at us differently or ask you a lot of questions, know that I like that we are different. I like that we have different ages in our room. I like that we cannot be classified as just a regular classroom. I like that I have to think about what I teach and not just say one grade level. I really like that we have kids with a lot of different abilities and talents that will learn form each other.

Just like you, I have to learn too and so this summer that is what I did. I learned that Thea loves it when you read the same book over and over, especially the one about Fergus the dog. I learned that my husband really likes it when I just sit and read next to him or when I recommend books for him. I learned that my 95 year old grandfather in Denmark thinks that my daughter is just about the best thing that has ever happened to this family (I agree). I learned that my little brother will be shipped to Afghanistan in January and that I worry about him now already. I learned that a dog's heavy breathing will indeed keep you up at night, especially when that dog is 100 pounds and tries to snuggle with you next to your bed. I learned that books are not always good just because a lot of people have read them. Did you know it is okay to not finish a book - crazy, right? I learned that thousands of educators are on Twitter just waiting for you to ask them a question. I learned that blogging and writing about your thoughts can be a great way to inspire and learn from others. I learned that Chinese food doesn't have to taste bad. I also learned that Madison is one of the best cities for little kids; oh the adventures we have had. I learned that no elementary student should be given an F because as long as they are learning they are not failing. I learned that technology can both give you time and steal it away. I learned that no matter how many times you do an orientation day you will always have jitters, nerves and never feel prepared enough. I also learned that the excitement for the first day of school only builds, never diminishes. I learned that i have many more things to learn.

So whether you have had me before or have no idea who this crazy teacher is; welcome, I am so excited you are here. I hope we will learn together.

A Teacher's Biggest Fear

Last Thursday I had a parent meeting for the students that will be in my 4/5 class. We had set up this opportunity since my school has not had a combination class for a long time and therefore wanted all questions and concerns addressed before orientation day. It was a great turn out and a great night, something I wish anyone could do really before they start the school year. And although there were many great questions, the best one was, "What is your biggest concern?" My answer was "Building community."

I am sure many would have thought I would have answered how to get through the curriculum or something of that nature but that does not worry me as much as building community does. And I am not alone with this concern. Every year, when we start a new year, we want the best class possible. We want our students to walk away from the year feeling that they belonged, that their teacher trusted them, respected them and that they had a genuine voice in the room. No longer is it my room, but ours. So community, that old catch phrase, is the one that keeps me awake.

Since we are a combination room, community has to be a major focus right away. Some students know each other and a lot do not. However, that is true for almost any class. Students tend to congregate with like-minded peers but often at the 4th grade level we start seeing some of the first shifts in friendships as students spread their wings a little and discover the world.

So how do I plan on building community, well let me count the ways....

One thing I am big on is language; language can destroy or build up. In this case being a combination room rather than split class says a lot about how I feel. We are a fusion, a combination, not something that is split off from the school, from other classes, other kids. My welcome back bulletin board says, "We are a Terrippic Combination" and a bag of Combo's, one for each student, with their name on it, is stapled around the door. This is the first things students see; combination rather than split.

I hate ice breakers. They are awkward and contrived. Rather we need to create a common purpose and that purpose is to have an amazing learning experience together. So our first week activities reflect that. We will be creating a digital scavenger hunt through questions made up by the students, they will decide what is important to know and find in our room and then do a voicethread presentation on it. I will share my Animoto with them and invite them as a class to create one of our vision and class environment. Armed with cameras and ideas students will lead this as well. We will come up with filmed definitions of what student, classroom, and community means and share them on Wordia.

Students will come up with what they would like to be called when I do need to split according to grade level. I don't want to continue calling them 4th and 5th graders, those words stick, whereas the birds and the dogs or something else does not remind them of their age difference. We will talk about ourselves, our families, our hopes, our worries. And then we will talk some more. Although curriculum is super important, these first days and weeks set the tone for the rest of the year.

So as I continue focusing on community, I wonder, what other teachers are doing? What works for you, what will you never do again? I have many small exercises as well that I will not bore you with, but what are the big things that leave students smiling, ready to learn?

Welcome

So, let's Get These Students Tech Ready

Since I am teaching a 4/5 combination class this year, and 8 of the students are my old students, I have had to throw all my usual first week projects out. (Which by the way is incredibly liberating; you should try it!)

The first week of school, or more accurately the first actual 7 days of school, will therefore be a great chance to integrate tech into my classroom and get my students ready to participate in the Global Read Aloud.
So what will we do?

Using Skype, parents will be invited to call us in the classroom at the end of the day so we can share what we have been doing.
Using Wordle, students will think of adjectives to describe themselves and parents' adjectives will be added as a surprise. These print-outs will go in lockers.
Voki will be used to create book hooks describing one cool book they read over the summer.
We will write a letter to ourselves about our expectations for the year using Future Me. We will plan to receive them back the last week of school.
Wallwisher will be used and shared with parents to showcase something we learned in class.
We will blog about something we hope to learn and post in our kid blog.
Voki will also be used to introduce another classmate to the class.
We will use Google Earth to look up participants in the Global Read Aloud and then do pins on a world map in the classroom.
Digital Cameras will be introduced by having them go on a scavenger hunt in my room and having to photograph the "treasures" - these will be posted on VoiceThread as a guide to our classroom for parents to see.
We will use Animoto to come up with our hopes and wishes for the year letting each child add a picture and a sentence.
Wordia will be used when students have to come up with the definition of student, classroom, community, teacher, and school. We will tape and post our own definitions.

How will you integrate technology into your classroom? How do we get the kids excited about using it and how do you make it purposeful and not just technology for technology's sake?

What I Won't Do on the First Day of School

Ahh, teachers in America are getting excited, nervous, anxious now that the first day of school is inching ever closer. People are sharing classroom photos, ideas, as well as posts on what they intend to do on the first day of school. These always give me such inspiration for change, such as this one by the fantastic Larry Ferlazzo, but I started to think, so what do I not want to do on the first day of school?

This year, I promise my students to not:

Sit behind my desk and wave at you, but instead be in the hallway, smiling.
Expect you to put everything away and stay organized, after all, learning can be kind of messy.
Hand you a folder with paperwork to fill out so that I can get to know you better. Real community comes from conversation.
Give you a list of my rules; we will make expectations together.
Welcome you to "my room," it is our room!
Talk about all of the homework you will have, instead I will share the great knowledge we will uncover.
Tell you how you can earn rewards; no stickers, stars or trinkets in here - knowledge is our reward.
Pretend that I know what you are going to say or only partially listen; you are my focus and will be the whole year.
Run to the teacher's lounge and share stories about those kids that I have. Instead I will share just how phenomenal this year will be.
Pretend that I have all of the answers or am the absolute authority in the room; this is a journey we take together and you get to teach me as well.
Hide that I am nervous. I don't know you either so, of course, I am nervous.
Tell you how to get an "A." Learning is not about grading, it is about learning, so grades will not be a main focus.
Second-guess everything I said or did; I will trust in myself and hope you do the same.
Be afraid to try something you suggested; after all, what is the harm in trying?

So ask yourself, what do you not want to do on the first day of school? I am sure many more ideas will pop into my head.

If You Have One Hour with a New Teacher...

We've all been there; arms full of papers, books falling out of our bags, and so many questions that we hardly know what to ask - ahh, the plight of being a new teacher. Or at the very least, a teacher switching schools, or jobs, or grades. So who do you turn to, where do you find those elusive answers that will make you sleep more easily at night before the big show? And mostly, which answers do you really need?

Today I had the pleasure of meeting with a great friend from college who just landed her dream job in a 5th grade classroom. Previously she has taught as an ELL teacher but had the opportunity to switch jobs and switch schools. Prior to our meeting, I asked my PLN what I should share with her and had some fantastic responses. So here is what I thought was important.

Sign up for Twitter! If you need to know why, read this post or read the Innovative Educator's fantastic blog on how to use Twitter.
Start a classroom blog; Tumblr or Blogspot are just fine - my classroom blog is is well visited by parents and they love how everything is accessible to them.
Start a professional blog for your own reflections, this can even be tied in with your PDP and you will be amazed at the thinking you end up doing.
Meet with teammates, ask questions but don't forget yourself, after all, you will be teaching your own class and must be able to stand behind what you teach.
Think about a morning and afternoon routine, or coming and going routine if you are non-elementary. I explain and establish this on the 1st day of school and it sets the tone for the rest of the year's expectations.
Reflect on your hidden rules of your classroom. We all have pet peeves, figure your out and then share them with your students!
Come up with community building projects. Although curriculum will need to get started quickly, make sure you have opportunities where the kids are engaged in something creative to establish trust and excitement in your room.
Send home an introduction letter to students and parents. Give them insight into you and your classroom.
Don't waste too much time on your hallway bulletin boards. Spend the time in your classroom instead, setting it up for great learning and collaboration. Cybraryman has a wonderful webpage with great resources for how to set up your room to boost learning.
Laugh, joke, smile, and most importantly be yourself! You were hired because you were a great candidate, so go in there and show it. Curriculum will be taken care of but those first few days set the tone for the year so have fun with it!

I know there are many more important ideas to add, so what would you tell a new teacher they should focus on? What did I miss?