1)
Clean the desks and
chairs and arrange them in clusters within view of the meeting area. You want to make a good first impression that
kindergarten will be pleasant and organized.
2)
Place a high-interest
book on every desk for the kids to sit and read first thing. This will buy time to ensure everyone
is settled, and to take attendance.
Place an extra book basket on each cluster of desks.
3)
Have a list of
the class names to check off as kids arrive, and write name tags beforehand,
if possible. Write kids' first and
last names as well as your class on the tags.
4)
Place name tags
out on the desks before the children arrive.
Place them boy and then girl; and if you know certain kids will need
extra attention, place them up front, closer to the meeting area. Have extra name tags for new admits.
5)
Prepare paper for
children to write on, 30 pencils and 12 boxes of crayons in case they don’t
bring their own. These will be used a
bit later on the first day.
6)
Prepare to talk
about rules: classroom, bathroom, lunchroom and line-up. It helps to have visual posters about each of
these.
Maybe the most important rule is to always show kindness and respect. That's the glue that holds the world together, and you can tell the kids that kindergarten will be a "kinder-garten!"
If you'd like this Let's Build a "Kinder" Garten poster, it's here and it's free.
7)
Have a fun book
to read to the class, and questions for discussion. Also, a few short songs to teach, and extra activities
ready to go, in case you have extra time to fill. And, of course, a super-kid award to send your kids home with a smile.
If you'd like this Let's Build a "Kinder" Garten poster, it's here and it's free.
Here are some tips for those first few minutes when you meet your kindergarten kids:
1)
Smile! Yes, smile. Not a fake beauty pageant kind, but a warm,
genuine smile that comes from your deepest core. The place that remembers what it’s like to be
5, and scared, shy and nervous.
2)
Greet each parent at the door, if that’s possible. Say your name, and give a warm
handshake. Make them feel like they're
joining your family. They are!
3)
Ask the child, “Who are you?” Then find the name on your clipboard
sheet. Ask the parents to check the
spelling and correct it. Ask if they
prefer a nickname, and possibly if the child speaks English.
4)
Ask the parent to come in and check the posters on the wall, and
then help their child find their seat (I have placed the name tags out on each desk: boy,
then girl), and to read a book. I have one
book on each desk, and a basket of extra high-interest books in the center of
each table.
5)
Needless to say: NO cutting, gluing, toys, or even
coloring—nuthin’ honey, till you’ve talked about rules!
6)
I hang 3 posters for the parents. The first tells when and where the dismissal
is—for today and tomorrow.
7)
The second poster asks parents to help seat their child, put on
their name tag, and have them read a book till we’re ready. And meanwhile, they can place on their
child’s desk ONLY these supplies, in order from largest on the bottom—if they
have them—4 folders, 3 marble notebooks, a pencil case with 5 sharp pencils, a
crayon box and 1 large eraser. This
way
I can see who still needs to bring supplies. The second poster also
directs parents to place any extra personal supplies (extra pencils,
crayons, and sharpener) in the child’s book bag.
8) The third poster requests—if they can—to please help put the shared class
supplies into the right bin in the rear of the room.
9) I have baskets, tubs and even large clean garbage bags (for all
the paper towel rolls), one for each type of supply that parents send, such as
markers, post-its, glue, and tissues.
10)
When all the kids have trickled in, give parents a friendly, “2
minutes, and we’ll ask you to go” heads up.
11)
Meanwhile, take care of those last few things that MUST be
done. Make sure every child has a name
tag, and take last minute attendance.
The school office may ask for a list of how many kids have showed
up, as well as the names of your “no-shows.”
12)
If a parent has a letter for you or money (for Scholastic News
or the like), place it in a basket under your desk for safe-keeping.
13)
You can thank the parents for helping, then say, “It’s time to
say good-bye, so we can begin!” Remind parents to pick up their child, where and when.
14)
Usually, a principal will allow parents to stay for the first
few minutes of kindergarten. If not,
please ask your principal if you could have a teacher aide help for those first
few minutes. If no one is helping, you
can lead the kids straight into the room; have them wait at the meeting
area. Call each child in turn, and show
them where you’ve placed their name tag.
Have each child in turn sit, put on their name tag and read a book till
everyone is accounted for.
The first day of kindergarten will be memorable. Most important is safety. You want to set a tone of calm and
orderliness.
Equally important is setting a tone of expectation, that
kindergarten will be fun and wonderful.
Are you a new kindergarten teacher? Welcome to the club! I’ve helped many teachers settle into kindergarten, and it would be my pleasure to help you, too.
For more essentials to prepare, as well as posters for teaching school rules, you might like this First Days of Kindergarten Teacher’s Kit. It includes all you need, before, during and after that crucial first day. You’ll find teacher scripts, lessons, posters, printables and tips—compiled by a long-term kindergarten teacher.
For even more thorough preparation,
here’s the same Kindergarten Teacher’s Kit, bundled with School Rules and Bathroom Rules, with more charts,
photos, points for discussion, a writing prompt about rules and bulletin
board-ready rubric.
With preparation, you can have that calm and confident first day of kindergarten you've imagined!
I'll be thinking of you and wishing you all the best,
I'll be thinking of you and wishing you all the best,
