5 Ways To Connect With Students Before September

                                      

Happy New Year! It’s almost that time again: back-to-school season is few weeks away.

Many of us are still savoring the lazy days of summer. For those of you who’d prefer a head start on prepping for September, let’s discuss a few ways to connect with your kiddos early on.

If you’re one of the lucky few who gained their class lists—CONGRATULATIONS! I’d love to learn how you achieved that.

                                     Image by jacqueline macou via Pixabay

1. Drop your prospective students a postcard introducing yourself and some of your favorite summertime endeavors. Give them a glimpse into your personality.

If, like me, you’re in the dark about who’s on your roster, sit pretty and relax.

Or take some leisure time to browse the dollar stores, Target, Walmart, Lakeshore, Teachers Pay Teachers, Amazon, Etsy, and US Toy Company for a few essential items.

2. When you finally receive your class list, mail your students a welcome message. 

Introduce yourself, a few tips on what the children can expect this year, and if you have one, a photo of you with your class mascot.

                              Image by Kranich17 via Pixabay

3. Is your Google Classroom set up? If so, invite the kiddos to join and play get-to-know-you games. 

Ask Would You Rather questions, post jokes, or do a daily poll on a specific topic such as, “Who plays baseball?” “Who enjoys going to the beach?” The possibilities are endless.

You could also ask more specific questions like, “What movies did you check out this summer?” “Who’s your favorite superhero?” “Who’s the oldest in their family?”

(Be sure to inform students you’ve invited them to your Google Classroom in your welcome letter.)

Cult Of Pedagogy has some remote Ice Breaker Games for Zoom that look fun.

4. Make a brief classroom reveal video and include a teaser tour that students and parents can watch. You know the kids are dying to see what their new classroom looks like.

Leave the most exciting feature (student gifts, the classroom library, etc.) for the first day of school. This will build anticipation for the big day.

                                Photo by Peter H via Pixabay

5. Throw an End of Summer or a Back-to-School Eve Zoom party! Create a few fun slides to share, pass along arrival expectations, or just chat for a few moments.

Any positive connection made will help mitigate those first day of school jitters, for you and your students.

However you greet your students this September, I hope your Back-to-School experience is fun!