The first few days of school are pivotal for middle school teachers. It’s a time to set the tone, establish routines, and start building a classroom community. With the right strategies, teachers can create a smooth and engaging start to the school year. Let’s explore some key practices to implement during these crucial first days.
Establish Routines and Procedures
From the moment students walk into your classroom, it’s essential to have clear routines and procedures in place. These routines set the tone for the rest of the year and ensure that your classroom runs smoothly. Here are some key routines to cover:
- Entering the Classroom and Starting Procedures: Teach students how to enter the classroom calmly and begin their work promptly. This might involve a specific seating arrangement or a bellringer activity to get them focused.
- Group Work Expectations and Norms: Clearly outline how students should work together during group activities. This includes respecting each other’s ideas, sharing responsibilities, and using inside voices.
- Technology Usage and Policies: With technology playing a significant role in education, it’s crucial to establish rules for using devices. This might include when and how laptops or tablets can be used and the consequences for misuse.
- Specific Pet Peeves or Rules the Teacher Has: Every teacher has certain expectations unique to their classroom. Whether it’s raising hands before speaking or no gum-chewing, make sure these are communicated early on.
Build Classroom Community
Creating a positive and supportive classroom culture starts on day one. Building relationships and fostering a sense of community helps students feel safe and ready to learn. Here are some activities to get started:
- Icebreakers and Get-to-Know-You Activities: Use fun icebreakers to help students learn about each other. Activities like “Find Someone Who” or “Human Bingo” can get students talking and laughing together.
- Team-Building Games: Engage students with team-building games such as “Two Truths and a Lie” or “Rock Paper Scissors Posse.” These activities promote cooperation and help students build trust.
- Classmate Interviews: Have students interview classmates at their tables. They can share fun facts or discover common interests, which helps build connections from the start.
Manage Practical Tasks
Amidst the excitement of the new school year, there are practical tasks that need attention. Handling these tasks efficiently helps set a structured environment. Consider the following:
- Taking Attendance and Checking Class Rosters: Make sure you have an accurate count of your students and know who’s in your class. This helps avoid confusion and ensures everyone is accounted for.
- Assigning Seats: Even if it’s temporary, assigning seats can help manage the classroom more effectively in the first few days.
- Distributing Syllabi and Course Overviews: Provide students with a syllabus or course overview to outline what they’ll be learning and any important dates or expectations.
- Logging Into Online Platforms: Ensure students can access any online learning platforms or resources they will be using throughout the year. This helps prevent technical issues later on.
Use Engaging Instruction
While it’s important to go over rules and procedures, try to make these lessons engaging and interactive. Using active learning strategies can keep students interested and invested in their classroom environment:
- Bellringer Activities: Start each class with a bellringer activity that students can complete independently. This helps them transition into learning mode and prepares them for the day’s lesson.
- Stations or Scavenger Hunts: Introduce classroom materials or procedures through interactive stations or scavenger hunts. This makes learning about the classroom fun and memorable.
- Co-Create Classroom Rules and Norms: Involve students in creating classroom rules and norms. This gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility towards maintaining a positive classroom environment.
Balancing explicit instruction on procedures with engaging, student-centered activities is key to a successful start to the school year. By establishing routines, building community, managing practical tasks, and using engaging instruction, middle school teachers can set the stage for a productive and enjoyable year. Check out the rest of our blog posts and visit our store. Happy teaching!
