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Hello all! Chris from Columbus, Ohio. 2nd grade Intervention Specialist.
First day is August 20th, first day with students is August 23rd. But I already have the jittery excitement thinking about getting back in the classroom! #ohedchat
#Ohedchat Hi everyone! Jeff, STEM teacher from Lancaster. Our first day on #GranvillePike is August 23 for freshmen only (FroshFest '18!) and August 24 for everyone else
A1. We are in the midst of adding a few things here and there to add some flare to the environmen. A big thing will be welcoming with positive energy. Also planning some fun events in our opening day staff meeting! #ohedchat
A1: greet them at the door with my smile. Its infectious in.a good way. Ice breaks with kids and some prebonding with staff before students arrive.
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A1: Greet everyone! Ask how the summer was. Ask what classes they are taking this year. Find out what everyone's goals are for the new school year! #Ohedchat
A1 On Day 1, I start six word memoirs and syllabus breakouts, depending on the group of Ss. Today I have 2 new preps; I'm not sure what I'll do, but it won't be reading the rules and regs! I also try for homeroom to be organized and inviting. #ohedchat
A1: Try to get an idea of how they’re really doing and be light-hearted. Ask questions, laugh, create a warm atmosphere so the nerves/uneasiness can slowly go away. Communicate right away you’re with them and excited to share the upcoming year together! #ohedchat
A1 So important on the 1st day to respect the introverts & the extroverts, think of those who are new & not expect immediate group activities, etc. The 1st day should be for making kids know that we care about them. Leave the content for a later day. #ohedchat
We are together for a LONG time on opening day in homeroom. I want all my paperwork, locks, planners, ready to go. Let's spend that time getting to know one another! Class is usually 25 mins. #ohedchat
A1 Get the students talking to each other and moving around. Set the stage for active learning. Routines setting, expectations, etc, can wait. Relationships first. #ohedchat
A1 Don't forget that many Ss did not have the "perfect" summer & may not want to reflect on that theme for every class period. Some Ss may have come to school on the 1st day & want a reprieve. #ohedchat
A2 Getting to know their names is super important but also super hard. You need to know how to pronounce their names the way they want. It's crucial. #ohedchat
A2: build meaningful relationships, develop class standards of behavior with students (creates buy-in), be yourself, let them know you dont know everything but will learn right along with them (students).
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A2: Enjoy it! All of us tend to get preoccupied with schedules, classroom preparations, etc. Step back and take it all in. The first day is special, and is always my favorite. #Ohedchat
A2. Don’t wast time going over “rules” or a syllabus. Begin building relationships (for days!) and you can and must smile! Student will get your expectations and will meet them when you trust them! (This would have been great advice for new me) #ohedchat
A2: Oh my, I wish I could relay this to my past self!
Have a plan. Collaborate with people who have been there before. Be flexible if the plan derails and something unexpected happens or you feel overwhelmed. More than anything... take a deep breath and ENJOY it! #ohedchat
Their substitute teacher skit really slays me, even while it reinforces how ridiculous some white names are if phonetically pronounced. Aaron, indeed. #ohedchat
Right! @Vroom6 Ts & Admin can get so caught up in the "back to school" swell, we forget, not all Ss want to dwell about what their summer was "like". #ohedchat
We did conflict resolution a little later in the quarter - I started off with finding common strengths, interests, had them bring in sand, dirt or a rock from a place they felt safe - and we actually made a shoebox of "common ground"! #OHedchat
A2 Make a plan for what you’d like to do on the first day, prioritize it and be ready to slash items to make more time for those that go well. #ohedchat
But in all seriousness, I had a student who was Latinx. She had 2 versions of her name: her real name, and her easy for white teachers to prononce name. I asked her which she preferred (obv. her real name.) So we all called her by her real name. Super imp. #ohedchat
A3: parents should feel welcome just like our students. Support are part of the team that make the dream work. Both are partners in the learning community.
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#ohedchathttps://t.co/1b3LbVZH8C
What are you teaching the world? We’re all going to make history this year. What will your friends and teachers learn about YOU?
Try activities that allow for introspection that are age appropriate. Younger Ss can make glyphs; older Ss can journal or plan their goals for the year ahead. Ss goals should matter from the very start; so very appropriate on many fronts. #Ohedchat
A3: A huge role! My school has a "Welcome Back Kickoff Night" the evening before the 1st day. Families are there w/ live music, food trucks, etc. I also email parents and welcome them to the new school year - try to build those school-family connections early! #ohedchat
Don't be afraid to give students real voice and choice in the classroom. They can set expectations, rules, and even curriculum. Taking all power away and acting "extra authoritarian" the first few days just contributes to a barrier between T/S. #ohedchat
A3 At the HS level, I often don't meet parents until later in the yr. The baggage parents send with their children (fear of school, lack of funds for supplies, maybe even lack of basic needs) can impact Ss far beyond what we see on Day 1. #ohedchat
A3: My first day as a teacher, a student and his mom both cried when they dropped him off. The whole family was there, and I invited them to all stay for our morning welcome song.
It’s so important to include them in learning and work together right off the bat! #ohedchat
#ohedchathttps://t.co/1b3LbVZH8C
What are you teaching the world? We’re all going to make history this year. What will your friends and teachers learn about YOU?
Super important. Everyone wants to be called by their correct name which is pronounced correctly. So crucial; it shows a lack of respect to not do so. #ohedchat
Was lucky to practice this for a few years as a substitute before teaching full time. Takes practice to learn 25+ names in one day, but if you include them in the challenge, it’s doable. #ohedchat
A3: They can both help set the pace for the year. Parents drive the desires of the Ss and support staff are the glue that helps bring it all together at the beginning. #ohedchat
A3 At the HS level, I often don't meet parents until later in the yr. The baggage parents send with their children (fear of school, lack of funds for supplies, maybe even lack of basic needs) can impact Ss far beyond what we see on Day 1. #ohedchat
I often see upwards of 100 Ss in one day. I find it helps if every time I see them in the hall, I greet them by name. Reinforces that they are noticed. I've heard some Ss don't hear their name the whole day and feel invisible. #ohedchat
A1: Joining in late! Robin - IL. First Days are always full of jitters, tears, lots of emotions. I try to be a calming, soothing staff member. I work in elementary, so can have lots of tears and separation anxiety. #ohedchat
Yes! And if they don't have a pencil, don't make it into a crisis. I love "Cause I don't have a pencil" by Joshua Dickerson. We don't always know who desperately needs kindness, so we should provide it to all. #ohedchat
A2: Get to know your students! Find out 3-5 things about each one. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Rome wasn’t built in a day! If Plan A doesn’t work...try Plan B, best life lesson for your Ss. #ohedchat
A3: Parents can help prepare their Students for 1st day. Support staff can help anxious, upset, crying students...by be the calming staff member helping. #ohedchat
