Beginning of the school year

We're sharing 10 things NOT to do on the first day of school. If you're a teacher wanting a smooth start to the school year, look no further. This post will show you what mistakes to avoid so that you have the best classroom management practices in place from the beginning!

The beginning of the year is always a whirlwind with the first few days of school and Open House/Visitation. Whether you have your Open House/Visitation before school starts, or once the year is already in full swing, it’s still a huge undertaking! Today I’m sharing with you my 5 favorite tips for your Open House ... Read More about Kindergarten Visitation!

Fun and engaging ideas to get to know your students at the beginning of the school year. Build a strong classroom community with these free resources.

Is it too soon to be talking about ‘Back to School ideas’ already?

How to build a classroom community over the SUMMER in just one hour! Some teachers are Camp Do NO School Work over the summer, and others actually love getting things ready for the next year. Either one is GREAT, there is no right or wrong way to “do” Summer vacation! I will openly admit I have a

Looking for some read-alouds for the new school year? Here are 27 books that encourage kindness and empathy and promote positive mindsets!

I am a list-maker. BIG TIME. This is a list for teachers of eight things that should be on their to-do list at the beginning of the year.

The first day of school for pretty much any grade is a whirlwind. Plan for the first day of school to keep students engaged, and excited to come back!

The lessons you teach at the beginning of the year are crucial for laying the foundation and setting the tone for the rest of the school year. During the first week, your schedule should be a mix of teaching procedures and expectations as well as building a strong classroom community. Download o

Find out why teachers should be using icebreaker activities for small groups all year long and not just at the beginning of the school year.

Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!! I know - it's a scary thought reality!!!! I'm sorry to even say the words......Back to School. But let's be honest. It's not that far away now, and closer for some than for others. So let's start thinking about how we can prepare. I don't know about you, but I have been stalking Target, Hobby Lobby and a few other places all summer long looking for the best deals and the cutest little bins, buckets, and supplies. Why, oh why, do we teachers spend so much dang money on our…

Back to School Night can be the first time you meet many of the parents in your class. It is important that you communicate all of the information the parents will need to help their child have a successful school year. Here are my top tips for planning an informative and stress free Back to School Night: Have a Sign In SheetHave parents sign in on a sheet as the enter the room. This will allow you to keep track of which student's parents were able to attend. Be sure to send home copies of…

The beginning of the school year brings so much excitement! One of my favorite things about the beginning of the year is getting to read so many wonderful books to my class. I have a huge collection of books that I love to read during the first month of school. These 20 books are some of my favorites to read aloud. They are perfect for building community, teaching rules and procedures, and character education.

Back to school time is hectic for every teacher. Here are ten things teachers can do before the first day of school that will set them on track for a successful new school year.

Today I'm sharing one of my favourite tasks for building community in the classroom. Students are able to share an important aspect of themselves (the story of their name) with the class and with me, their teacher. Through this task we are also working on important skills, like reading comprehension, writing, and reflection. Day 1 To begin, I asked my students to write any name they wish they had on a sticky note. They then placed it in a mason jar. I read my class the story "The Name Jar"…

Whether you’re a brand new teacher ( 20 tips and 20 more tips here!) or have been doing this for years, starting a new school year can feel really stressful. What will you need? Where will you get it? What’s the best kind? So many questions! So, if you want to start the new year feeling more prep

It's that time of year again...back to school season. You're busy setting up your Pinterest-worthy classroom, focusing on every detail. Y...

The first week of school generally consists of getting to know one another, in addition to discussion and practice of classroom procedures and routines. We also got our creative juices flowing by creating summer reflection writing pieces, squiggle stories, and "All About Me" mini-posters. Students are getting to know one another and me, and we are learning to work together to build a successful and positive classroom environment. On Wednesday, I wrote out six questions, all having to do with…

Hang these Amazing Work Coming Soon Posters at the beginning of the school year and then replace them with student work. It's perfect for back to school season when you want to brighten those empty boards. The posters can be used year after year! Choose from color and B&W posters. Print & cursive options are also included.

The ultimate list of activities on the first day of school to make students feel welcome, excited, and ready to learn! Crafts, games...