For many school starts back for the New Year this week! Why not “freshen up” your plans and your classrooms and add just a “pinch” of new! here are some ideas for starting the New Year in a way that will excite and motivate your students.
**Greet your students at the door. Some may be very nervous about returning after the break. Smile, even though you are probably not thrilled to being back to work, welcome students by name and let them know you are glad the class is back together.
**Have an activity on their desk that they know how to do that will take some time so you are free to take notes and deal with challenges that may arise.
This is one of the favorites and when we are ready to officially start the day we go over all the words made and I write them on the board. Students can add them to their list.
Avoid starting the first day back with new curriculum or activities that will be too challenging. **Spend time letting your class and you share about their winter break. What did they do over Winter Break? I always have one already filled out to share with them first. Be sure to include simple things like I enjoyed sleeping in late, spending time reading… and so on. I say this because while some may have traveled and done exciting things others may have just been at home or at a babysitter because parents were working.
**Remind them of the class rules while working. Best effort, work quietly, raise hand if need help. Remind them of a choice of what to do if they finish before the time is up and what to do with their work.
Here are activities I love to use. Note…I have a winter themed and a student one for those whose climate is mild. I also allow for writing or drawing. I like to tell students… write, draw or if you can do both which will make your teacher smile. When all students finish I also like to have them share their paper with someone to their right, left, name starts with same letter, etc. You decide.
**Allow for movement. It is fun to follow this activity up with Find a Friend. Again I remind them of the rules. Walking only, whisper, etc. Have person found write their name so that there is no pressure to spell. You might take part in the search as well. Demonstrate appropriate behavior and choose students you know might not get picked.
Helpful hints: When time is up I have everyone sit down and I ask these questions. Stand if you finished. (That gives me an idea of who completed the activity. Stand if you played a game. (students who didn’t get that one can fill in one of the names.) Another hint is a student can only sign their name once. Continue until you have gone all the way through find a friend. This way everyone also feels a part of the search.
After lunch I like to divide the class into partners or small groups and play these games. You will need dice. Math is involved. There are ways to differentiate. Again remind the students of rules. Listen to others. Take turns. Roll dice politely. You might even have on group demonstrate playing.
Helpful hints: Students may need pencil and paper or a number line to do the math. Those that cannot do the math independently might be in your group. When time is up ask a few students: “What did you discover while playing the game?”
**Set goals with your class. And while they are setting goals for themselves set one for yourself. How might you help enforce rules in a positive way? What is something you want to improve on when teaching? What is something NEW you want to try? If we expect it of our class we can expect it from ourselves. Really read these and write a little note on each students goals. Helpful hint: I like to keep these and every month hand them back. REFLECT!
**Compliment!! Compliment your students. Think of how YOU feel when someone compliments you. Students have that same feeling when someone compliments them. I cannot stress how important this is. Your hair looks so nice today. WoW look at the neat penmanship. I really like how you are sitting so politely. Love you lunch box! My favorite quote.. They may not remember what you said or did but they will always remember how you made them feel!
REMEMBER: If you stay positive your class will stay positive. Take time to plan activities that are enjoyable and still include curriculum objectives. Imagine YOU are a student in your class.
Click above to find this FREEBIE!
No Comments