Discussion Questions:

• How do you want to feel in our classroom? How can we create an environment like that?

• Were Miss Nelson's students respectful to her? Was Miss Viola Swamp respectful to her students? What does respect look like?

• What things have your favorite teachers done to make you feel welcome?

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some strategies that schools can use to make the first day less anxiety-filled for students or teachers?

2. How does this twist at the end change the story? How does this help students get a better understanding of their teachers?

3. How do you think the story would continue if it followed the full first week of school?

This blog post offers advice that we can use in the classroom, such as planning for fun, making connections with students, and letting students know that every day is a new day for them. By following this advice, we can set up a classroom environment that focuses on building relationships with students from the very first day of school. Getting to know the students, letting the students get to know you, and recognizing positive behavior from the get-go sets the tone for a positive classroom environment.

This blog offers advice about the first weeks of school through a personal retelling of effective strategies used for a student who was seen by her peers as mean. The author emphasizes how strategies like creating a nurturing classroom community, asking focused questions that demonstrate procedures for classroom discussions, creating shared expectations, and establishing rules can make students more comfortable. With these strategies, the first weeks of school will act as a test run for expectations for the rest of the school year.

Link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Investigating-the-Teacher-First-Week-of-School-Activity-5670918

1. What is your topic, and why did you choose it?

   Our topic is focused on strategies and resources that teachers can use for the first week of school. The first week of school needs to be balanced between setting expectations and procedures while also maintaining a level of fun in the classroom. This is an exciting time for both teachers and students, so choosing this topic felt important as aspiring teachers.

2. Why is this topic important to teach?

   This is a topic that all new teachers will have to face, so it's important to be prepared. Our resources of teachers sharing their experience with the first week of school provide a first-hand account of what has worked in the classroom. Using these resources to teach students about expectations and routines is important for building a solid foundation for the rest of the school year.

3. How would you teach this topic in your future classroom?

   In my future classroom, I intend to use the resources we found to give students a unique and fun first week of class. I aim to find a good first week balance that will draw on the excitement everyone has for the first week of school. For example, a class constitution establishes classroom rules that all students agree on, and the investigating teacher activity helps build relationships with students.

4. What are 3 questions or concerns you have about teaching this topic?

   1. Will setting expectations early make my class feel too rigid or boring?

   2. What if my first-week plan doesn’t go as expected?

   3. What if a routine doesn’t work well for a student with different learning needs?

Classroom Connection: I would love to use the “Trivia” activity in this thread. The teacher puts a focus on not accessing academics or making students vulnerable by giving them trivia questions to complete. I was always nervous to share information about myself or have to demonstrate my academic skills on the first day. This helps prevent those hurdles for kids and lets them open up organically!

• Step 1: Define Contracting

• Step 2: Students Reflect

• Step 3: Select an Approach to Developing a Contract

• Step 4: Discuss Classroom Norms

• Step 5: Reflect on Scenarios

• Step 6: Initiate the Contract