Back to School

     The first week of school can be an exciting time.  Since many of the students in my special education class were in my room last year I always search and try to find new ideas for a new school year.  I teach a multi-age group of students so the following activities are used with students in grades 2-8. Here are a few activities our class will complete the first week of school.  Have fun!

Start the year by talking about the rules of the class, as well as, the rules of the school.  Even my students from last year need a little refresher on the subject.  I always try to change the room around some way so they do not feel like they are just continuing with last school year. 

For younger students - complete this teacher/student chant from http://www.fcsweb.net/teachers/mwilliamson/units/back_to_school_unit.htm. This will get the children following directions.

Following Directions...

Please stand on tip toes. (Teacher)
I will stand on tiptoes. (Child)
Wiggle your nose. I will wiggle my nose.
Please reach up high. I will reach up high.
Point to the sky. I will point to the sky.
Wave your right hand. I will wave my right hand.
Stand and look grand. I will stand and look grand.
Please jump in one place. I will jump in one place.
Please cover your face. I will cover my face.

What did you do on vacation?  Everyone likes to talk about their summer vacation.  Even if the students didn't do anything special I am always interested in how they spent their summer.  This is a good way to get everyone talking and interacting and sharing with new students to our class.

Summer vacation name poems - students letter their name down the left side of a sheet of paper.  Then for each letter of their name they will tell something about their summer vacation.  Example:  J - jumped off my swing  E - extra time to stay up late  S - swimming  S - sipping cold soda.  To integrate computer work have the students produce a final copy complete with graphics (my older students love doing projects on the computer).

Art project - students will put the final touches on one of our classroom bulletin boards.  Title:  Pencil us in for a great year!  I will have the lettering in place.  My older students will add details to the board:  geometric shapes, squiggle lines, etc.  All the students will make a pencil with their name on.  This will be done as a group step-by-step art project.   The hallway display will read: Welcoming a sharp bunch of students.  Of course there will be more pencils to be made.

Get ready for school - to get everyone into the swing of things begin the day by making the first class book for the year.  Title:  Get Ready for School.  Make a blackline master with the following sentence, _______ got ready for school by _______.  Of course, each student has to illustrate their sentence.  Even my older students do not mind working on the project since they know it will help the younger students.

Class poem - use the poem below to get everyone thinking of being the best they can be.  I will put this poem on a card and review it often throughout the entire school year.