All Things CLASS

Good morning, Community! 🌤

We have a fun back-to-school question for everyone!

• What's your go-to activity for the first week of school to help your students feel welcome and engaged? Share your favorite activities and why they work!

For example, when I was a pre-k teacher, I loved having my class make a self-portrait of themselves and things that they loved. Then, we would go around the room, and they could show their artwork and tell everyone their name and what they loved to do for fun! I would always play fun music while they got creative to allow them to relax a bit. This usually started conversations with other students and helped create a fun atmosphere. 

This is also a great way to talk about educator-child interactions, so let us know what you do below!

Such a sweet idea Rachel! I did self portraits the first week of school too but had them use flowers and leaves and other things they found outside. Here's a link to an example of someone else doing this. They come out really sweet. And here's someone who did a similar activity but using loose parts they had already in the classroom. 

I love this, @Liz Savage! Thank you for providing those examples!

I really like the self portrait idea Liz Savage, I can see how that would also give you a good idea of their fine motor and art skills

We usually do self portraits, and about family.

I find nature to be one of our best teachers. What a great way for children to explore nature and express themselves!

Sweet Idea Rachel!! I did self portrait on the second week of school but I had them used their hands with paint and cotton balls. I want them to feel the texture of the cotton and the paint. They love it and we are going to do it again next week for the activity!!!

That's a great idea, @Beatriz Bonilla! Add sensory such as texture and touch is wonderful! I would love to see what they make!

My very first activity on the first day of school is always going to be a about me worksheet. That way I can get to know my kids a little bit better and see what it is that they like and don't like.

Do you have an example of an about me worksheet for the children to fill out that I could look at?

Yes, I usually do simple things like their name and a couple of of their favorite things. I also like to have them tell me their favorite type of toys to play with to get a better understanding of what areas they would like.

I do the same 

@Jesse Herrera what a great idea! And I love the example that you provided below!

What a good idea! With infants it's a little bit different because we don't have all the move ups that older room get.  With infants we really need to make sure make sure the families are comfortable with us as teachers so we have to make sure they know who we are. On infants first days we could always hold them a little bit more play with them a little bit more so that way they know they are safe with us.

@Gail Oliver this is a great way to get the children involved and make them feel included!