Back to School - September 2001

READY, SET, GO! Blast Off To A New School Year With These Terrific Ideas!
How you begin your school year can have a positive impact on the rest of the year. Here are some suggestions for creating a community in your classroom, getting students excited about learning, and building a positive relationship with your parents. Someone once said, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!" These activities are sure to let children and their parents know how much you do CARE!
		Say, "Yes!" Go to your principal before school starts and ask her to say, "Yes!" when you ask her a question. Then ask your principal to give you the best and brightest children in your room this year. (To which the principal will reply, "Yes!") On the first day say, "I asked the principal to give me the best and brightest children this year. And here you are!" Throughout the school year remind them that they are the best and the brightest, and they will live up to your expectations!
Brochure - Make a brochure about yourself, your school, and fun activities you have planned for the year and mail it to the children before school begins (or just give it to them the first day) To make a brochure, fold a sheet of paper into thirds. On the front section write "Welcome to your name's Classroom!" On the left section place a picture of yourself and write some personal information about your family, pets, experience, etc. On the inside write "We'll have a great year together...learning to read, experimenting in science, learning math, working on the computer, cooking, taking field trips, singing, creating in art," and so forth

Paper Doll Teacher - Here's something fun to make for your door to welcome the students.

Lay on a large sheet of butcher paper and ask a friend to trace around your body. (You've probably done this to your children before.)
Color yourself and cut yourself out. (Go ahead and take off a few inches if you want to!)
Tape this on the door, then make the following labels and attach them to the different body parts.
"A head full of great ideas," "a mouth to sing you songs and read you stories," "arms for hugging," "hands to help your learn new things," "pockets to hold surprises," "play shoes for outdoor fun," and "a heart full of love for you!

What's Your Bag? - Give each child a lunch sack at registration or the first day of school and ask them to put the wrapper from their favorite candy, something their favorite color, a picture of their family, the title of their favorite book, etc. in the bag. After sharing these objects with classmates, they can use them to decorate journals, make banners about themselves, etc.

Who Is My Teacher? - Make a book about yourself to read to the children the first day of school. Include a photograph of yourself as a child, family photos, pictures of pets, favorite foods, hobbies, why you enjoy teaching, etc. Let one child take the book home each evening to share with their families. (What a simple way to build a partnership with your parents!) Hint! You might even ask each parent to make a similar book about their child to place in your classroom library.