Image by Paul Diaconu from Pixabay
The first 10 days of preschool/Pre-K are the most influential for you and your students. Teacher-student and Student-student relationships form.
This group needs to get used to an entirely different routine, established guidelines, and learning environment demands.
You need a solid foundation to build upon throughout the school year. Taking the time and the patience to instruct your kiddos slowly and effectively in the beginning will set them up for success.
We all have to learn to crawl before we walk. No one learns to tie their shoes the first time they try.
When children learn these two fundamental skills efficiently, they become masters who then pass on the skill sets to others with confidence.
Tip 1:
Build a relationship with your students before school begins. Drop the parents an email introducing yourself, attach a photo and ask for one in reply that you can hang in the classroom.
End the email with a question: "Who do you think our classroom mascot is?", "What's your favorite color/shape?", "What activities occupied your summer?"
For more ideas, please read 5 Ways To Connect With Students Before September.
Tip 2:
Keep the classroom decorations simple. Returning yearly, I witnessed Pinterest-style decor in rooms beyond my ability to compete.
Sometimes it would get me down, but I moved past it. Honestly, everything we do is all about the kids and they enjoy seeing their own work on the walls, anyway.
Tip 3:
Plan your first week of lessons and prepare to review your objectives during weeks one, two, three, and four (maybe more).
State your expectations, model your expectations, then students practice your expectations. JAZZ HANDS for good work!
Tip 4:
Label each student's personal areas (cubby, mailbox, etc.) and teach them how to use the materials correctly.
Once they've mastered the basics, slowly introduce other materials like journals and folders.
Tip 5:
Introduce timers! Regular kitchen timers, a sand timer, or the ones on YouTube are perfect for familiarizing your kiddos with time management.
Tip 6:
Prepare the classroom centers, but don't overdo it. Less is more at this point.
For example, in the Dramatic Play Center, offer a simple set of dishes and a few dolls for children to play with.
Ensure colorful visuals indicate item locations, guiding young ones during clean up. As children learn and follow the expectations for each center, add more resources.
Tip 7:
In groups of two-three, do a classroom tour and visit each center. Ask children what they think happens in each center.
Let them explore the area. Set a timer for cleanup, and then model how to put away the supplies correctly.
Tip 8:
You don't need to open all the learning centers. I used to cover several centers with sheets or curtains the first week so children wouldn't get overwhelmed by all the choices.
Tip 9:
Create and post a consistent daily schedule at children's eye level. Review this visual each morning with the whole group, then consult it during the day, helping children grasp the schedule and upcoming activities.
Tip 10:
When things fall apart, have a backup plan. If the schoolyard is empty and the weather is nice, take your class outside and let them run off their energy.
If that's not possible, have a musical playlist ready or sing finger plays like Itsy Bitsy Spider or Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
These tips are just a starting point. Wonderful, should any or all prove beneficial. If not, reflect and strategize with your classroom and grade partners.
Perhaps minor alterations or substantial shifts may be just the tweak you need to get back on track!
What tips do you suggest for a successful Back-To-School launch?
Further Reading:
You're Finally Here Read Aloud Lesson
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