Sojhea Ngin
October 23, 2015
First Days of School
1st Grade

Discuss with your practicum teacher what she does to create a safe and caring
classroom those first days of school.
o Mrs. Smith prepares by sitting in a quiet room and visualizes her students.
She takes pictures of the students at the meet and greet the week before,
that way she will memorize the faces by the first week of school. While
meditating in the room, she develops a detailed list of what the students
should know. The list covers rules, procedures, safety, dos and don’ts.
o Mrs. Smith stands at the door saying, “Welcome Cruz, 17 is your hook
number. You may empty all your supplies into your desk and leave your
book bag on your hook.” While welcoming the students in, the students
are a bit shy at first. Mrs. Smith makes eye contact so the students will
look at her. There is an activity packet on the desks to keep the students
occupied till everyone arrives.
o Mrs. Smith introduces herself by giving out a brief biography of herself at
“Meet the Teacher” the week before school starts. She talks a little about
herself, but not too much because they are young. So later on she will
mention her kids and other interests as she gets to know the students.
o Mrs. Smith likes to have many activities for the class to get to know each
other. There are morning meeting activities such as one they sit on the rug
and ask what everyone’s favorite thing to do to what their plans are for the
weekend. An example of a name game is “The Pumpkin Song.” It
involves math and saying each students’ name as they take away a
pumpkin. “There is a big, fat, pumpkin at the pumpkin patch. Here comes
Gabriella to pay and takes 1 pumpkin away!” Everyone has their name on
their desk and when they go of resources they wear names tags. Mrs.
Smith ideal goal for herself is no name tags after first day of school.
o On the first day of school, Mrs. Smith goes over the rules and what they
mean. Examples would be respect and the behavior around it. Scenarios
are given so the students know the consequences of following and not
following the rules. “When someone has to change their frog from green
to yellow or red, I will make sure to tell you which rule is being violated
so you understand there is a reason. Each day after, the rules are reviewed
at the morning meetings.
Sources
Welcome to FIRST GRADE. The First Grade Parade. 2014.
http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20the%20Teacher
Tackling Transportation. The First Grade Parade. 2014
http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20the%20Teacher
Toilet Paper Game. Teaching With a Mountain View. 2014.
http://www.teachingwithamountainview.com/2014/07/first-day-of-school-activities-for-big.html