Your success during the entire school year is determined by what you do on the first days of the year — Harry K. Wong & Rosemary T. Wong
Before the First Day of Class:
√ Arrange desks in a horseshoe layout–one inner horseshoe with a larger outside horseshoe (shown and explained https://ktclassroommanagementplan.home.blog/classroom-layout/) Wait to create seating chart after first few days of school to determine class personality and assess any social/behavior patterns that need to be amended.
√ Prepare classroom materials needed: class syllabus, student and parent surveys, behavioral contracts, and reading materials necessary.
√ Print out class rosters: check for any IEP’s and/or 504 plans to make notes next to the student photo, make any necessary accommodations to help facilitate student learning. (Also a great way to start learning student names, and additionally, jot down any nicknames or names students prefer to go by)
√ Replenish classroom supplies: whiteboard markers, pens, pencils, scratch, and colorful construction paper, planners, etc,.
√ Check to make sure classroom technology is working properly to avoid disrupted instruction: projector, microphone, overhead projector, projector screen, etc,.
√ Ready any ice-breaker activities, and attendance questions that will act as a daily opener (Would You Rather or just any fun getting to know you questions)
First Day of Class:
√ Before each class period begins every morning, write on the whiteboard the learning objectives for the day as well as an agenda. This procedure will provide consistency and will hone students’ self-management skills because students will know to look on the board to find out what they will need to be successful for the day.
√ Stand outside of classroom door to greet your incoming students! Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong conclude, “In the classroom where the teacher greeted the students at the door, there was an increase in student engagement of 32 percent” (114). Make sure to make eye contact and smile, to establish a positive learning environment once they walk through the door.
√ Introduce myself to my students and share my excitement to be their teacher! Establish positive expectations for the academic year.
√ Use attendance as an opportunity for student introduction and classroom community building: have students share the highlight of their summer in response to their name being called.
√ Review syllabus to go over classroom procedures and expectations, cell phone policies, grading policies, and an academic calendar that highlights learning content schedule. However, emphasize the academic calendar might change depending on circumstances such as snow days, or perhaps adjusted lesson plans.
√ Introduce Name Tag as the icebreaker activity: providing students with various colors of construction paper to choose from, have students research the meaning behind their first names, and have them design a “Name Tag” that I will hang in the classroom. The name tag must include their name in the center of the paper, the meaning of the name (behindthename.org is a great site for students to research their name), and some kind of illustration that either represents their name or simply has some sort of significance to them as an individual. After finishing their name tags, for the remainder of the first day of class, students will share their finished name tags in front of the class, and what they have learned about their name. This icebreaker activity is a great way to get to know students and for students to take some ownership of the classroom with their artwork being hung on the wall.
On the first day of school, I first and foremost want to welcome my students into an organized, consistent, and positive learning environment where all students feel safe and supported upon entering each day. I believe that this first-day organization checklist I have provided will ultimately ensure that I establish an inclusive and engaging learning environment while I build classroom community the first day of class.
References:
Wong, H.K. and Wong, R.T. (2018). The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher. Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.
Ms. Tapia's Classroom Management Plan 