MUST-HAVES ON THE FIRST DAY:

1. SEATING PLAN - Whether you choose flexible seating or not, I always recommend assigning seats for the first day. It makes organizing supplies easier and helps in learning your students' names.

2. SLIDE SHOW/POWERPOINT - Having your plan on paper is good, but having it on a slide show is even better. It gives the students a visual and helps keep you from accidentally skipping important information. My favorite part to include in a slide show is what an organized desk looks like. I take a picture of a student desk to show them my expectations.

3. ORGANIZATION PLAN - There are so many forms and papers that need to be turned in within the first week of school. I have file folders set up for each form with a roster attached to check off who turned in and who didn't.

4. ICE BREAKER/ INTROS - There are so many options on icebreakers for student introductions, just Google it. However, don't forget to introduce yourself. Also, allow a few minutes for your students to ask you questions about yourself or the classroom.

5. PROCEDURES - The most important part of the day, but it can also be the most boring for students. I suggest only focusing on the must-have procedures for the first day (morning routines, lunch, recess, dismissal) and make sure to include fun activities in between. You can do GoNoodle videos, a quick stand and stretch, or even an icebreaker.

6. EASY ACTIVITY - Independ activities are needed for you to accomplish those office procedures (roll, lunch count, etc.) and for any downtime. I always have students complete an About Me sheet and have a color sheet. Easy nonacademic things so I don't have to help or answer any questions.

7. TRANSPORTATION PLAN - It is important, especially in the lower grades, to make sure each child knows how they will get home each day. I type up a chart while students are working independently and show it on my board as we dismiss at the end of the day.

8. EARLY FINISHER ACTIVITIES - We all have those students who rush or finish their work early. I always have backup activities. I like placing one fiction and nonfiction book on their desk. I tell them they have to read the first few pages before exchanging for a different book.

9. PICTURES - I always take a first day of school picture. I display them on our Back to School night for the parents. I also print a copy for them to glue in their memory books.

10. READ ALOUD - This is the perfect way to end the day. I like to pack my students early so there is no rush to leave. We gather as a class and I read a good social-emotional book. My favorite is Quite Please Owen McPhee. It is a story about how important it is to listen to others.

My students love to research on their own but, I guide them in the right direction using research posters. I narrow down the topic but not too much. For example, I'll tell them they can research any animal. Then I give them a research poster that helps them focus on the main ideas that I want them to get when researching. Since they love doing this, I've created so many research posters. They are all on sale in my TPT store for $1 or you can grab the bundle. When researching, I feel it is important to send them to safe places on the web. So I use National Geographic for Kids and Epic books because they don't have advertisements.

Are you looking for a fun review game for any subject you teach? The Hot Seat game is a lot like the game show Password. My students beg to play this game before any test. You can play the whole class or you can split your class into teams. The whole class or your teams should sit together facing the whiteboard or SmartBoard. Use an empty chair, or they can stand up, and place it in front of the whiteboard (facing toward the class). If you have multiple teams, you need a chair for each team. We call the chairs "The Hot Seat."Randomly select one student to sit in "The Hot Seat" with their back to the board.

Use an already prepared GoogleSlides or PowerPoint for the game. An example of one of my GoogleSlides is shown below. The object of the game is to get the person in "The Hot Seat" to guess the word behind them. The students in the class (or on teams) can use synonyms, antonyms, definitions, or clues to help the person in "The Hot Seat" correctly guess the word. Our #1 rule is that they cannot use the actual word in their clue or a word part.

The student in "The Hot Seat" listens to their classmates and tries to guess the word. If you are doing the whole class, I allow 3 clues before the student has to take a good guess or turn around to see the answer. You don't have to follow this rule, but sometimes it can drag on if not. If you are using teams, the first student in "The Hot Seat" to say the word wins a point for their team. Once the word is guessed, a new student sits in "The Hot Seat," and a new round begins with a different word.

*Note: I always include the definitions before the word for those students in the class to remind them of the correct meaning. When I didn't include it, some students would get words confused and would give wrong clues. I didn't want to confuse students before a test. Using this method also gives them a good review of all the words and definitions. (see sample GoogleSlides below)