MONDAY
First Day Adventure
To familiarize students with the school and personnel, I take students on a hunt for a certain surprise (cookies, watermelon, etc.) around the school. Before school begins I hide the surprise somewhere on campus and write out clue cards. On the first day of kindergarten we read the clues which take us around the school, into the office, the library, restrooms, playground, etc. As we read the clues we look for the surprise in all the places. The last clue leads us to the surprise. After the students find the treat they get to eat it. We also then create a map of the school and create a book about our hunt.
TUESDAY
Becoming a MAGNIFICENT Reader
I usually begin the year by reading the chapter book “Walter the Lazy Mouse” by Marjorie Flack. This is an old book that none of the children have ever read, so the story is always a surprise to them. Walter is very lazy and never pays attention in school. He ends up getting lost, and meets three frogs. He tries to teach the frogs what he knows, but soon realizes that he only knows the wrong answers since he did not pay attention in class. He goes back home, returns to school, and becomes a good student himself, so he can come back and teach the frogs correctly. I think it’s a great book to begin the school year. There are so many cute art projects using mice that it’s easy to find a follow-up creative activity, too.
WEDNESDAY
All About Me Posters
Have the students draw and color their name on a large sheet of paper. They add things about themselves, including their birthdays and their favorite things to do. The posters are then displayed on the wall in the classroom.
Class Puzzle
Have the class create a puzzle. I will cut a poster up and give each student a piece of the puzzle. (Be sure to put a dot in one of the corners so that you know which side is up.) The students put their name on it and decorate it. Then as a class we put the puzzle together on a bulletin board. This is great for problem solving and cooperative learning. Every year the kids love it.
THURSDAY
Family Tree
During the first week of school my Kindergartners help me to make a large tree out of Brown Butcher paper. I encourage parents to send in 2 or 3 family pictures to put on the family tree. We then add leaves–green for the beginning of school, then we change them as the foliage turns. The kids are very proud to have picture of their families in the classroom. It also fits nicely in our “All About Me” theme.
True False Quiz
I like to give my new students a T/F quiz all about me. I have silly things in there like “I like to hang upside-down from trees” “I love Harry Potter books” and “My favorite color is purple.” The children take the quiz and then we go over the answers. I usually give a small prize to whoever gets the most correct. So they can get to know me.
FRIDAY
First Day Nameplates
I have enough pre-cut letters ready for each child to spell out their first name twice. Each student is provided a sheet of card stock cut to fit their name, and folded in half to form a tent. The students then glue their names on both the front and the back side of the ‘tent’ and stand the nameplate on their desk. After this fun activity, not only does the teacher have a clear view of each new student’s name, but the student can also see their name in print and can use it to copy from, match letters, count letters to compare with classmates, etc.
First Day Adventure
To familiarize students with the school and personnel, I take students on a hunt for a certain surprise (cookies, watermelon, etc.) around the school. Before school begins I hide the surprise somewhere on campus and write out clue cards. On the first day of kindergarten we read the clues which take us around the school, into the office, the library, restrooms, playground, etc. As we read the clues we look for the surprise in all the places. The last clue leads us to the surprise. After the students find the treat they get to eat it. We also then create a map of the school and create a book about our hunt.
TUESDAY
Becoming a MAGNIFICENT Reader
I usually begin the year by reading the chapter book “Walter the Lazy Mouse” by Marjorie Flack. This is an old book that none of the children have ever read, so the story is always a surprise to them. Walter is very lazy and never pays attention in school. He ends up getting lost, and meets three frogs. He tries to teach the frogs what he knows, but soon realizes that he only knows the wrong answers since he did not pay attention in class. He goes back home, returns to school, and becomes a good student himself, so he can come back and teach the frogs correctly. I think it’s a great book to begin the school year. There are so many cute art projects using mice that it’s easy to find a follow-up creative activity, too.
WEDNESDAY
All About Me Posters
Have the students draw and color their name on a large sheet of paper. They add things about themselves, including their birthdays and their favorite things to do. The posters are then displayed on the wall in the classroom.
Class Puzzle
Have the class create a puzzle. I will cut a poster up and give each student a piece of the puzzle. (Be sure to put a dot in one of the corners so that you know which side is up.) The students put their name on it and decorate it. Then as a class we put the puzzle together on a bulletin board. This is great for problem solving and cooperative learning. Every year the kids love it.
THURSDAY
Family Tree
During the first week of school my Kindergartners help me to make a large tree out of Brown Butcher paper. I encourage parents to send in 2 or 3 family pictures to put on the family tree. We then add leaves–green for the beginning of school, then we change them as the foliage turns. The kids are very proud to have picture of their families in the classroom. It also fits nicely in our “All About Me” theme.
True False Quiz
I like to give my new students a T/F quiz all about me. I have silly things in there like “I like to hang upside-down from trees” “I love Harry Potter books” and “My favorite color is purple.” The children take the quiz and then we go over the answers. I usually give a small prize to whoever gets the most correct. So they can get to know me.
FRIDAY
First Day Nameplates
I have enough pre-cut letters ready for each child to spell out their first name twice. Each student is provided a sheet of card stock cut to fit their name, and folded in half to form a tent. The students then glue their names on both the front and the back side of the ‘tent’ and stand the nameplate on their desk. After this fun activity, not only does the teacher have a clear view of each new student’s name, but the student can also see their name in print and can use it to copy from, match letters, count letters to compare with classmates, etc.