Effective tips for first day of class for 6-7 y.o.?

Question

I'm getting confused because I heard and read from different sources that don't be too smiley on the first weeks of class because the children would get too comfortable with you and you would have a hard time following your orders. But I thought that children should be reassured and that you should look nice and etcetera..

anyway i'm a neophyte teacher, just graduated and still really really REALLY have to practice classroom management and such. This will be my first class ever, also my FIRST official job ever. And as of now, i have about 20 pupils and most of them are transferees so i could imagine the crying and the adjustment these children would face on the first days of school.. SO PLEASE HELP ME if you don't want these children's future to end because of me.

Please give specific advice. Give me all the tips on routines, procedures, etc.

Answer 1

My advice would be to read Harry Wong's "First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher."  You can purchase a used copy of the book for about $5 on Amazon. Unfortunately, I didn't read this book my first year teaching, but did about 2 years ago and still found it applicable. It's just good, straightforward advice for all age groups. The school system I teach in gives every new teacher a copy during new teacher orientation.

Most importantly, be consistent!

Answer 2

What you need is to have a really clear vision of how you want your class to run.  Do you know your daily schedule?  Has that been determined for you, do you come up with it on your own, or a combination of both (elective and lunch times set but other than that, you decide)?  This is one of the first things you need to know or plan out.

Next, you need to figure out what your procedures will be.  These are not behavioral rules (well, not exactly), but rather how your classroom will function rules.  For example, can the kids get up and sharpen their pencils at any time, or do you want them to only do so at the beginning of class and when they are doing independent work.  Where will they turn papers in.  How will papers get back to them.  What about bathroom breaks.  Do you go as a class only at specific times (except for emergencies) or do you send them in groups periodically throughout class.  How do you get their attention.  The possibilities are endless (read "The First Days of School" by Harry Wong for lots of info on this).  These are things you will need to focus on within the first couple of days - not tackling addition on the first day.

Then you need to decide on behavior rules - when is talking allowed, no gum, no touching other people, no throwing objects, etc.  As you should have probably learned in your education classes, there are a variety of philosophies about behavior management, so check with you school about what their philosophies and practices are.  For example, the campus I work at uses Capturing Kids' Hearts, and basically, the teachers don't make the rules, the kids do.  Sure, we have school rules concerning fighting and drug possession, but as for classroom rules, it's the kids' jobs to figure out what is most important.  Other schools use other ideas.  You should be trained on this in the couple of weeks before school begins.

You should have a mentor teacher assigned to you.  Ask them all kinds of questions about this kind of stuff.

As for not being to smiley, kids this age need smiley (and lots of hugs) to help them deal with new changes.

Please feel free to contact me if you have specific questions.

Answer 3

Just be natural.... follow any guideline of your school..... and see what principal says.

Answer 4

First of all, remember that you are not alone. If your admin has not assigned a mentor teacher to you, ASK for one. Teachers who are in your same grade level will also be a great support. And don't worry...you will have time to meet new teachers before the first day of school. These are professional development days and they are the BEST.

Secondly, Harry Wong is a good source for First Day of School. The videos are great and the book is just as good.

Concentrate on getting your room set up and imagining how your students will function in your room. Have a plan for EVERYTHING. Where will the children put their things, books, jackets, etc. Where will they sit in your classroom when you want all of them together - a rug sitting area, a special corner of the room, etc.

Get as much done in your room as possible to prepare for your students' first day.

Now, the first day...

They are just as scared as you. But you must reassure them with your presence and SMILE (yes, these are babies - they need to know you are OK and that leaving mom or dad at the door is ok too)  The "no smile" rule is good for grades 5 and up because yes, they can be beasty and they have to know you mean business. But first and second graders are SO into school at this point that you just need to make them feel comfortable and safe.

You will have to have your own set of rules, and the above answer (can't see the name) about all of that is really good info.

YOu will be given your first class, either outside in the playground or in the gym. And there you are, in front of this little group of kidlings who are looking at you for your next direction. Well, most of them anyway. Have a Plan B - for kids who aren't listening. One of my failsafes is to say "If you can hear me clap once." Praise. If you can hear me clap twice. More praise. The one who isn't listening? - For this one you you can say SOMEONE didn't hear the direction! Praise when s/he does it. At this point you may want to ask them if they can get in a line, one behind the other (0r however you want to do it). Tell them they did a GOOD job! Lots and lots and lots of praise when they do what you asked. They want to please you so badly.

Your first day will fly by and you will wonder what all the fuss was about. Did you have crying kids? For these, I simply take them close to me, rub their back and try to calm them down. Most times just being close to you will keep them calm.  After age 7 they shouldn't be in the crying stage of leaving mom or dad or caretaker.

Tell them you are glad they are there with you and that you want them to have a wonderful year in first, second grade. Ask them some of the things they think they MIGHT like to do -

You can begin to incorporate your "rules" at this point. If kids say they want to play basketball - the rule might be, that's a great idea and we will have special times to do that. Introduce the schedule...

I won't go through this day word for word, but I think you get the idea.

You will be a terrific teacher! YOu are so concerned months before school even starts.

Just remember to "love them when they are least loveable." And that is the best advice that I ever received from one of my education professors.

Good luck!