Most teachers, no matter how long they’ve been teaching, still have jitters on the first day of school. It’s only natural, since you’re meeting all new students whom you’ll be working with all year. Just think, if you the professional educator are having these nervous feelings, what are your students going through?
The first day of school is always exciting, and everyone wants to make the first day perfect to start the year off right. Here are some tips to employ in your classroom to help ensure you and your students have the best first day possible.
GREETINGS
Not every student knows the hallways and classroom layouts like you do, so help them out by standing outside your door to greet them. A nice warm hello and welcome to the students as they enter your room will help make them feel comfortable right from the start.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF
Give the students more than your name. Tell them where you went to college, why you became a teacher, and where you grew up and went to school. Let them hear a little about your educational journey, as well as a hobby or two (if you’re a coach of a team, or if you run any club or organizations at the school). You can even tell them your favorite foods, anything to humanize you to make your students feel a little more at ease.
HAVE STUDENTS WRITE A LETTER
No matter what the subject you teach, having students write a letter is a great way to open the year. Have your students write about what they did that summer, and what they’re most excited about this coming school year. As a bonus, tell the students you’ll return the letter to them on the last day of school, so they can see how much they’ve grown. This will help you learn a little about each student and give them early motivation to write and share.
GO OVER EXPECTATIONS
Once the students have handed in their letters, hand out your syllabus and go over the class rules and expectations. Go through each rule and discuss why each one is important, not just to you, but to each student in the class. This will help make everyone’s year successful.
The first day of anything new can be nerve-wracking. It’s true for teachers and students alike. Follow these tips to help your students feel comfortable and ready to learn. Starting off on the right foot will go a long way to having a successful school year.
What is some advice you give to teachers to make their first day with new classes productive?