Suggestions for first day in school (as an NQT starting a new job)

Question

Help!

I have just qualified and have got a job! I have my very own reception class now! Obviously I start school in September, and I am starting to get really nervous. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions of things to do on the first day, ways to help the children settle in, ways to introduce classroom routines/systems, any suggestions of things that are essential to have set up before the first day etc........?!

Baring in mind that it is a reception class, so the children will be new to school as much as I will.

God I am soooo nervous now...

Answer 1

First congratulations on your new position and career!!

While I'm not sure what NQT is, I would suggest you locate the book The First Days of School by Harry Wong.  It has great suggestions on what you should do regarding the first few days of school.  Good luck and have fun.

Answer 2

Hi Miss Poss... Well done for getting a job straight away!! Most people are not that lucky or that good at interviews!! Try not to worry, stay calm and show the children and staff that you are confident and focused. You will have an nqt mentor who will meet with you regularly and support you and if there is anything you want to improve or focus on they can set you targets.

The first week you should definitely allow the children to get to know you and you to get to know them. A circle time activity may be nice. In year 1 I used to put their names on cards in a circle and throw a beanbag/small ball to the children (1 at a time) who would then find their name and say a little something about themselves and i would do the same. Thats also nice for rollover day.

Also allow groups to use the areas in your classroom, model to them how we behave and what we do in the writing corner/book corner/maths area etc. Set up some nice activities such as glueing and sticking, playdough etc and rotate these groups, modelling good behaviour and how to use the equipment appropriately. Lots of positive praise and positive reinforcement such as 'I like the way that you ......'   or 'you need to show me how....'   should show the children that you expect good behaviour and encourage them to act sensibly!!!Discuss your school rules and class rules, ask the children to think of some rules and write them on some big paper, in which they can sign their name and you can display.

Lots of markmaking activities too, big paper, crayons, felt markers etc.

Nursery rhymes/number songs/jolly phonics songs. You will need to do your baseline assessments within the first few weeks aswell. Oh and show them where the toilets are, cloakroom etc. ha ha!!

Hope this helps, sorry its a long msg.

Don't worry you will be fabaroooni!!

Carrie x