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Managing a classroom for primary students requires a blend of creativity, structure, and empathy. Young learners thrive in environments where they feel secure, understood, and engaged. Here’s how to adapt ten essential classroom management strategies to meet the unique needs of primary students.  1.Create a classroom constitutionA classroom constitution or set of rules for younger students should be simple, clear, and visual. Use language that is easy for them to understand and include illustrations or symbols to represent each rule. Tip: Start by reading a story or showing a video about teamwork and respect. Then, guide a discussion on why rules are important. Have students suggest rules, and write them down using simple phrases like “We use kind words” or “We raise our hand to speak.” Create a large poster with the rules, and let students decorate it with drawings or stickers to make it their own.  2.Classroom Jobs and ResponsibilitiesPrimary students love to help, and assigning jobs gives them a sense of purpose and responsibility. Keep the tasks age-appropriate and rotate them frequently to maintain interest. Tip: Create a colorful job chart with pictures representing each task, such as “Line Leader,” “Desk Inspector,” or “Snack Helper.” Use clothespins or Velcro with students' names to easily switch roles. Introduce each job with a demonstration and explain why it’s important, using positive reinforcement to encourage them.  3.Classroom Expectations Role PlayRole-playing is especially effective with younger children because it allows them to practice behaviors in a fun and interactive way. Tip: Use puppets or stuffed animals to act out different scenarios, such as how to ask a friend to play or what to do when you’re upset. After the puppet show, let students take turns role-playing with each other. Reinforce learning by discussing what was done well and what could be improved, always focusing on positive reinforcement.  4.Goal Setting and ReflectionFor primary students, goal setting should be simple and visually supported. Use pictures and short phrases to help them understand and track their goals. Tip: Begin by setting a class goal, such as “We will all listen during story time.” Use a chart with stickers or stamps to track progress. For individual goals, have students draw a picture of what they want to achieve, like “I will learn to tie my shoes.” Provide time for them to color in a star or add a sticker each time they make progress, and celebrate successes with a small reward or praise.  5.Circle Time SharingCircle time is a key part of the day for primary students, offering a structured time for them to express themselves and listen to others. Tip: Start each day with a short, themed circle time. Use a “talking stick” or a special object that students hold when it’s their turn to speak. Topics can range from “What’s your favorite part of school?” to “What made you happy yesterday?” Keep the sessions brief and engaging to match their attention spans, and always end on a positive note.  6.What Makes A Great Classroom? activityThis activity helps primary students visualize what a great classroom looks like, using simple ideas and creative expressions. Tip: Give students large sheets of paper and ask them to draw or collage images that represent their idea of a great classroom, such as friends helping each other, a tidy space, or having fun learning. Afterward, have a “gallery walk” where students can see each other’s work and discuss their ideas. Compile their ideas into a big classroom poster that reflects their shared vision.  7.Classroom Culture CollageA classroom culture collage for primary students should be a hands-on activity that celebrates the unique qualities of each student. Tip: Provide a variety of materials like magazines, colored paper, glue, and markers. Ask students to create a collage that represents who they are—favorite colors, animals, foods, or activities. Then, combine these into a larger mural on the classroom wall. This ongoing project can be revisited throughout the year as students add new elements that reflect their growth and experiences.  8. Classroom Reflection JournalsFor primary students, reflection journals can be a mix of drawing and simple writing to help them express their thoughts. Tip: Provide small notebooks with prompts at the top of each page, such as “Today, I felt…” or “My favorite part of the day was…”. Encourage students to draw pictures and write a few words. For those still developing writing skills, consider using sentence starters they can complete. Have a sharing time where they can show their work if they choose, fostering a sense of pride in their reflections.  9.Classroom Meeting AgendaClassroom meetings can be simplified for younger students to focus on key issues and give everyone a chance to participate. Tip: Keep meetings short and focused on one or two topics. Use a visual agenda with pictures to represent each item. For example, you might discuss “How to be kind” or “What to do if you’re feeling sad.” Rotate the role of “meeting helper” who assists in leading the meeting or passing out items. Conclude with a group activity like a song or game to reinforce a positive community spirit.  10. I Am, We Are ActivityThis activity can help primary students understand their individuality and their role within the classroom community. Tip: Start with a simple art project where students draw a picture of themselves and write (or dictate) words that describe them, such as “I am funny,” “I am a good friend,” or “I am helpful.” Next, create a large poster where everyone contributes to a collective statement like “We are a team” or “We are kind.” Display the “I Am” and “We Are” statements side by side to show how individual strengths contribute to the whole classroom.  By tailoring these strategies to the developmental levels and interests of primary students, you can create a classroom environment where young learners feel valued, capable, and ready to engage in their education. These activities not only help manage the classroom effectively but also create a sense of belonging and community among your students.    Related Posts
Back to school time can be exciting, or stressful and overwhelming. Kids are full of energy and not in routine mode any more. Some will be excited and eager to get back to school, but others may be anxious or unmotivated to be back. Nowadays teachers often do some basic planning to get started the first few weeks, but with all the possible changes to class configurations due to budgets and enrolment, it doesn't always work to do extensive planning too early. Here is a roundup of some resources that can help with first weeks planning for primary grades. They cover several different subject areas.  Back to School First Weeks ActivitiesThese 6 different resources help with getting started and engaging kids while reviewing some basic skills. They are a collection of games, worksheets, task cards and activities.
Back to School Classroom ManagementEffective classroom management is key for creating a positive and successful learning environment. Here are some tools for helping to create a caring and respectful environment in your classroom.
SELBack to school SEL activities are important as well. Here are a few different resources that might help to promote a positive attitude in your classroom. For more specific SEL resources, check out these social stories and activities.
Back to School MathThis set has basic fact sheets for addition and subtraction, place value activities, glyphs, fact family worksheets, and several other review activities to help kids review basic skills and concepts.
Back to School ScienceScience experiments are fun to do and help develop the different components of the scientific method. This kit includes experiments, a scientific method poster, some amazing weather facts posters, a plant life cycle and needs resource, a bean plant journal, a life cycle of an apple resource and animal research templates.
Back to School LiteracyGet literacy activities that focus on word development, parts of speech, vocabulary, idioms, writing using the five senses, and looking for evidence when reading with this kit. These are fun activities and task cards that are sure to engage students as they practice these skills.
The Ultimate Primary Teachers Ready To Go KitIf you would like to have a resource that contains all the above items you should check out the Ultimate Primary Teachers Ready To Go Kit. It has 65+ resources to make your prep easy and can be used to jumpstart your new school year. It can also be a go to kit for unexpected situations when you need to have someone take over your class.
The Ready To Go Sampler KitIf you aren't sure about getting the whole kit or you only want a few items from a variety of subjects, try out this sampler kit. It gives you a few activities for back to school, classroom management, literacy, math, science, self esteem, team building, and brain breaks.
If you are wanting a good start to your year that doesn't have you stressed out or overwhelmed with planning give one or more of these resources a try. The previews also have some sample pages to use. Check them out in my TPT store. I wish you a happy and successful school year. Happy teaching.  Related Post As the new school year approaches, many teachers are already feeling the familiar pangs of stress and overwhelm. Balancing lesson planning, classroom organization, and administrative tasks can feel like a juggling act. Fortunately, there’s a solution that can help you tackle these challenges head-on: this “Start of the Year Resource Bundle” from Teachers Pay Teachers. Here’s how this ultimate kit can make a significant difference in easing your back-to-school stress and setting you up for a successful year.  Engaging and Interactive MaterialsResource Highlight: Ready To Go Lesson Activities The bundle includes ready-to-go lesson activities that cover a range of subjects and grade levels. These activities provide many different back to school review skills and concepts. They are interactive activities and worksheets designed to engage students and support their learning from day one. How It Helps: By using these pre-made lesson activities, you can save hours of planning time and ensure that your day is well-organized and effective. This helps reduce the stress of starting from scratch and allows you to focus more on engaging with your students. By having access to engaging materials, you can quickly capture your students’ interest and make learning enjoyable. This helps reduce the stress of creating new activities and allows you to focus on delivering dynamic lessons.  Efficient Classroom ManagementResource Highlight: Classroom Management Tools This kit features tools for managing classroom behavior and organization, including behavior charts, routines and schedules cards, calming strategies, behavior posters and task cards for accommodating different physical abilities in the classroom. How It Helps: Implementing these management tools can streamline your classroom procedures and create a positive learning environment. This reduces the stress associated with behavior issues and helps you maintain order and focus in the classroom.  Back To School Forms And NoticesResource Highlight: Back-to-School Forms and Notices The bundle offers a variety of forms and notices to help you organize your classroom setup, track student information, and prepare for the first day of school. How It Helps: These ready-to-use forms and notices help with organization and back to school preparation. This reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed and helps you start the school year with confidence.  Communication ToolsResource Highlight: Parent Communication Templates The kit provides templates for communicating with parents, including getting acquainted with the students and how to do home reading. How It Helps: These templates facilitate clear and consistent communication with parents, which can ease the administrative burden and help build strong home-school connections. Effective communication reduces misunderstandings and supports a collaborative approach to student success.  Flexible Use Across Grade LevelsResource Highlight: Adaptable Resources The bundle is designed to be flexible and adaptable for different grade levels and classroom settings. How It Helps: Whether you teach kindergarten or primary grades, the adaptable nature of these resources ensures that you can find materials that fit your specific needs, saving you time and effort in customizing resources.  Immediate UseResource Highlight: Ready-to-Go Kit One of the standout features of the bundle is that it’s a ready-to-go kit, meaning you can start using the resources immediately without additional preparation. How It Helps: The immediate availability of these resources allows you to hit the ground running and tackle your back-to-school tasks with ease. This reduces the stress of last-minute preparation and helps you start the year on a strong note.  By leveraging this “Start of the Year Resource Bundle,” you can tackle the common pain points of the new school year with confidence. From lesson planning and classroom management to communication and organization, this comprehensive kit provides the tools you need to reduce stress and enhance your teaching experience. Embrace these resources to make the start of the school year smoother and more manageable. Here’s to a successful and stress-free school year ahead!  Related Posts Going back to school after a summer break creates different emotions for each child. The first weeks of school it's important to do things that help kids transition back into work mode and adjust to a new classroom environment. Here are some activities that are fun to do and help engage young children those first few days or weeks as they adjust and start to build a class community.  1. Classroom Scavenger or Treasure Hunt 2. All About Me Posters 3. Friendship Chain 4. Guess Who? 5. Classroom Puzzle 6. First Day Photo Booth 7. I Am Poem 8. Self Portrait Art 9. Team Building Games 10. Storytelling Circle 11. Nature Walk 12. Time Capsule 13. Chain Reaction Story 14. Getting To Know You Jenga 15. Guess My Drawing 1. Classroom Scavenger or Treasure HuntScavenger Hunt Materials Needed: List of items or areas to find, such as the art corner, the reading nook, etc. How To Play: Children work in pairs or small groups to find the listed items or locations around the classroom. This helps them become familiar with their new environment. Treasure Hunt Materials Needed: Clues or a treasure map. How To Play: Set up a treasure hunt in the classroom. Create clues that lead children to different areas (e.g., the library corner, art supplies). The final clue leads to a small treasure, like stickers or bookmarks, to take home.  2. All About Me PostersMaterials Needed: Poster board, markers, crayons, stickers, and magazines How To Play: Each child creates a poster about themselves, including favorite things, family, hobbies, etc. They can present their posters to the class to share about themselves. 3. Friendship ChainMaterials Needed: Strips of colored paper, markers, and glue or tape How To Play: Each child writes their name and one thing about themselves on a strip of paper. They then connect their strip with others to create a classroom friendship chain that can be displayed as a decoration.  4. Guess Who? Materials Needed: Index cards and pencils How To Play: Each student writes three interesting facts about themselves on an index card (without their name). Collect the cards, shuffle them, and read them aloud one by one while the class guesses who wrote each one. 5. Classroom PuzzleMaterials Needed: Large blank puzzle pieces (you can cut a large piece of paper into pieces) How To Play: Give each child a blank puzzle piece to decorate with their name and drawings representing themselves. Once completed, assemble the puzzle on a bulletin board to symbolize how each student is an important part of the class. 6. First Day Photo BoothMaterials Needed: Fun props, a backdrop, and a camera or smartphone How To Play: Set up a photo booth with props like hats, glasses, and signs. Take photos of each student to create a "Class of [Year]" bulletin board. You can send these home as a first-day keepsake.  7. I Am PoemMaterials Needed: Paper and pencils How To Write: Provide a simple template for an "I Am" poem, such as: - I am... - I like... - I feel... - I hope... - Children fill in the blanks with their own words, and then share their poems with the class. 8. Self Portrait ArtMaterials Needed: Paper, markers, crayons, mirrors How To Do: Provide each child with a piece of paper and art supplies to create a self-portrait. Set up mirrors so they can look at themselves while drawing. Display their artwork around the classroom.  9. Team Building GamesMaterials Needed: Various, depending on the game How To Play: Organize simple team-building games like "Tug of War," "Balloon Pop Relay," or "Egg and Spoon Race." These games help children build teamwork skills and make friends. 10. Storytelling CircleMaterials Needed: None, optional props for storytelling How To Do: Gather the children in a circle and start a storytelling chain where each child adds a sentence to create a collaborative story. For a twist, use a story dice or cards to guide the plot.  11. Nature WalkMaterials Needed: None, optional clipboards and pencils How To Do: If possible, take the children on a nature walk around the school grounds. Encourage them to observe their surroundings and collect interesting leaves or rocks. Back in the classroom, have them share what they found. 12.Time CapsuleMaterials Needed: Box or container, paper, art supplies How To Do: Have each child write a letter to their future selves, draw a picture, or include a small item that represents them. Seal everything in a time capsule to be opened at the end of the school year.  13. Chain Reaction StoryMaterials Needed: Paper and pencil How To Play: Start a story with a few sentences and pass it around the class for each child to add to. Read the final story aloud 14. Getting To Know You JengaMaterials Needed: Jenga set, marker How To Play: Write a question or prompt on each Jenga block (e.g., "What's your favorite color?", "Name a fun fact about you"). As children play, they answer the question on the block they pull.  15. Guess My DrawingMaterials Needed: Paper and pencils How To Play: Have each child draw a picture without showing anyone. Then, they hold it up, and the class guesses what it is.  This is a sampling of activities that can be done to build classroom community and help students to get comfortable with their classmates. If you are looking for some other activities that provide information for you and also help with transitioning back into school routines and academics, check out my Back To School bundle of 7 ready made resources.   Related Posts
Summer is quickly passing by and back to school is approaching. Some schools are already in session and others will be within the next few weeks. Here are 10 ice breaker activities that may help with the transition into a new year and also help students to get to know each other better. Each one includes material needed and a brief description of how it is played.  10 Ice Breakers1. Name toss 2. Find Someone Who 3.Mingle Mingle 4. All About Me Bags 5. Would You Rather 6.Memory Name Game 7.Friendship Web 8. Who Am I? 9.Pass the Clap 10.Emoji Introduction  1. Name TossMaterials needed: Soft ball or bean bag How To Play: Children stand in a circle. The first child says their name and tosses the ball to someone else, who then says their name and passes the ball. Continue until everyone has had a turn. For an added challenge, have them remember the names and repeat them when they catch the ball. 2. Find Someone Who...Materials Needed: Bingo style paper with prompts on it How To Play: Children move around the room asking questions to find classmates who match the descriptions. When they find someone that matches the prompt, they get that person to sign the square. The goal is to fill out as many squares as possible. An interview option can also be included. See below for a freebie that uses the interview option.  This version includes interview questions and can be used to interview one person for all the categories or different people for each of the 9 categories. 3. Mingle MingleMaterial Needed: Music source How To Play: Play music and have children walk around the room saying mingle mingle. When the music stops, the teacher calls out a number. The children quickly form groups of that number and introduce themselves. Get them to share at least 2 things about themselves. 4. All About Me BagsMaterial Needed: Paper bags, crayons or markers, and small personal items from home How To Play: Children decorate a paper bag with their name and fill it with a few items from home that represent them. Each child presents their bag to the class, explaining why they chose each item.  5. Would You Rather....?Materials Needed: List of questions How To Play: Ask fun "Would You Rather" questions (e.g., "Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet dinosaur?"). Kids move to different sides of the room based on their choice and discuss why they made their decision. 6. Memory Name GameMaterials Needed: None How To Play: Have the children sit in a circle. The first child says their name and something they like (e.g., "I’m Sam, and I like pizza"). The next child repeats the previous child’s name and fact, then adds their own. Continue around the circle, challenging everyone to remember all the names and likes.  7. Friendship WebMaterial Needed: Ball of yarn How To Play: Have the children sit in a circle. One child starts by holding the end of the yarn and says something about themselves. They then toss the ball of yarn to someone else while holding onto their piece. Continue until a web is formed, symbolizing the connections in the class. 8. Who Am I?Material Needed: Sticky notes, pen How To Play: Write the name of a famous person or character on sticky notes (e.g., Spider-Man, Elsa). Stick one on each child’s back. Children walk around asking yes/no questions to figure out who they are.  Pass The ClapMaterial Needed: None How To Play: Children stand in a circle. One child starts by clapping once and then passes the clap to the next person. The next person claps twice, the next claps three times, and so on. If someone makes a mistake, the round starts over. 10. Emoji IntroductionMaterial Needed: Emoji cards or stickers How To Play: Give each child an emoji card or sticker that represents a feeling (e.g., happy, excited, nervous). Have them introduce themselves and explain why they chose that emoji to describe how they feel about the new school year.  This is just a sampling of different ice breaker activities that are fun to do at the beginning of the year. They will help students break the ice, learn about each other, and feel comfortable in their new classroom environment. Enjoy the start of a new school year.  Related Posts
Recently we have been focusing on kids and how to keep them learning during the summer while still having fun. Now it's time to help teachers begin planning for a new school year while not getting too stressed out. Here are some back to school tips that hopefully will help you to start the new year refreshed and ready to go but still allow you to enjoy the remaining days or weeks of summer break.  1. Keep the good parts and change the other partsTake what you've learned in previous years and include the good parts in your teaching and change up the parts that didn't work well. Reflecting on past successes can be incredibly rewarding. Perhaps you introduced a new interactive activity that captured your students' imaginations and helped them grasp a difficult concept. Or maybe you developed a unique technique that motivated them to engage deeply with the material. These successes are the building blocks of your teaching philosophy, and it’s essential to carry them forward. By identifying and replicating these effective strategies, you can create a more engaging and effective learning environment year after year. However, reflection also involves an honest assessment of what hasn’t worked. Every teacher has encountered lesson plans that fell flat, activities that failed to engage, or assessment methods that didn’t quite measure up. These experiences, while challenging, are invaluable. They provide critical insights into what needs to change. Perhaps the pacing was off, the material was too complex, or the method didn’t align with your students' learning styles. Whatever the case, acknowledging these less successful aspects is the first step toward improvement. Adapting your teaching methods doesn’t mean starting from scratch. It involves thoughtful tweaks and adjustments based on past experiences. For example, if a particular instructional strategy didn’t resonate with your students, consider modifying it rather than discarding it entirely. Small changes, such as incorporating more visual aids, breaking down complex information into more manageable chunks, or integrating technology in new ways, can make a significant difference.  2. Change up your classroomConsider rearranging your classroom at the beginning of the year. A fresh layout can revitalize both you and your students, making the space feel new and inviting. Decorate with pops of color, inspirational messages, and designated special centers for various activities. This not only makes the classroom more visually appealing but also creates a sense of excitement and curiosity among students.  Here are some calendar headers that might be helpful for you. Click on the image that works best for you.
3. Do some basic planning for the first weeksIn many districts, at least here in Canada, classes can be reconfigured after the school year begins based on enrollment numbers and budgets. This can cause some uncertainty about what grade you may end up with. Over planning and preparing for one group and then having it completely change in grade level or configuration can be very stressful, so I suggest that you do some basic planning for the first few weeks and hold off on the deeper concepts until the classes are settled. While waiting, plan basic lessons that work for both returning and new students. These foundational lessons can help ease everyone into the new school year smoothly.  4. Decide on your must-have rulesClassroom management is necessary in order to have a respectful and caring classroom environment. There are many different aspects to this and many are determined by your teaching style and your classroom dynamics. Decide on your must-have rules and classroom management strategies. Establishing clear expectations from the outset helps create a structured and respectful learning environment. Some of your rules may be non-negotiable, but many can also be determined as a class community.  5. Take brain breaks and movement breaksIncorporating brain breaks and movement breaks while planning and setting up your classroom is crucial. Just as kids need to have breaks during to day, so do you. These breaks will improve your productivity. Continue to add in brain breaks as you do things throughout the year as well. These breaks are important for your well-being and they model the importance of this for your students as well.  6. Consider your curriculum goals for the yearAs you set up your classroom, also consider your curriculum goals for the year. Start brainstorming ideas for how to implement them, ensuring that they are both ambitious and achievable. Plan a basic schedule that includes a mix of academic and social-emotional learning (SEL) activities. This balance is essential for creating well-rounded development in your students. Remember, this schedule can and should be adjusted as needed to respond to the changing needs of your classroom.  7. Take time for self careMentally preparing yourself is just as important as physical preparations. Take time to relax, practice mindfulness, and engage in activities that reduce stress. This mental preparation helps in maintaining a positive outlook and resilience throughout the school year. It's essential to take care of yourself during this busy time. A well-rested and healthy teacher is more effective and more capable of handling the demands of the school year.  As you prepare for a new academic year, embrace the lessons of the past with an open mind and a willingness to change. Consider some of the tips I've suggested and remember to take care of yourself. By doing so, you can create an engaging and productive learning environment that not only meets the needs of your students but also inspires them to reach their full potential. Related Posts
It's hard to believe that I retired 9 years ago. It seems like it was yesterday. I guess that is partly because I haven't totally left school. I still volunteer with small groups a couple of times a week. I was looking back recently and I stumbled on a post I wrote when I first retired. It's interesting to see that my thoughts haven't changed much since I wrote this post. Here is an updated version.  Back To School: Reflect And Refresh There were four different things to reflect on: communication, organization, content, and big summer projects. Here are my thoughts from back then and any updates that I feel are important to add. CommunicationThen: This is very important at all times, but at the beginning of the year it is important to create relationships and help new students and their families feel comfortable about sharing with you. Even though I won't have my own class this year, it is still important. It will also be necessary for me to maintain communication with the staff so that I can stay on top of what is happening around the school. Now: As I continue to work with students needing extra support, it will be important to make a relationship with them and let them know that they are in a safe place where they can ask questions and get extra practice. Connecting with the teachers and making sure that we are clear on what they would like me to help the children with is key. Giving them updates and sharing successes and concerns with them is also going to be key to supporting the learning.  OrganizationThen: This summer my organization took a different emphasis. I had to pack up and empty out my classroom. I had so much stuff that it took me a couple of weeks to do so. I gave lots of my material to other teachers that are just starting out, recycled and threw away material that was too old or outdated, and brought home the rest. Then I had to sort through the material that I brought home so that I can access things easily when I need them later. Now: I still have many resources that I created and that are relevant for use today when volunteering. I have organized these by subject and I have a bookshelf at school where many of them are stored. I also have some of my hands on activities filed away here at home. I have always been a collector of kids books, so I have a large collection of book sets of different levels at school for when I do reading groups. I do use some of the school's materials, but not often. I have created guided reading book studies for many of the books, so I use those. When I need specific resources for different activities, I make copies from the resources that I have created.  ContentThen: I am looking forward to creating materials for my colleagues. I will still be able to work with kids while trying them out in real situations. The content will be determined by the curriculum being taught by my colleagues and by their requests for materials. Now: Resources I use are based on the needs of the students I work with. I try to coordinate what I am doing with themes that the class is working on so that they support each other. If I make resources to use with the students, I often give a copy to the teacher as well.  My Big Summer ProjectThen: I am hoping to develop more materials for my TPT store so that I can help to impact student learning even while retired. I am learning so much about how to improve the appearance of my products and my storefronts. It will be a big job, but I am excited to continue learning and improving. Now: This is still my hope, but with new changes to the TPT site, I am making more changes to the appearance and information about my resources. I plan to continue updating more resources and improving them.  Well, there you have a then and now recap of my reflections and refreshments. I plan to continue to add more value to what I am creating and I will share this with you in future posts. For now, I hope that you are enjoying your summer and that you are taking some time to do some reflecting and refreshing as well.  Here's a task card template that you may enjoy using for creating an activity while you are slowly transitioning from vacationing to planning mode in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for some back to school tips and ideas for planning the first weeks of school. 
As we return to school after the Christmas break, it's like pressing the restart button each day. After the holiday excitement, students might be feeling a bit different, so it's crucial to begin each day with a positive attitude and a fresh start.  Returning to school can bring out a mix of emotions Returning to school after the Christmas break can bring out a mix of emotions in children. Some children might express excitement, eager to share stories of their holiday adventures. For these children, providing opportunities to talk about their experiences, perhaps through show-and-tell or a simple sharing circle, can help them feel heard and valued.  Some may be struggling with leaving the comfort of their homes and be anxious about returning to school. Taking a few extra minutes for a warm welcome, engaging in a comforting activity, or having a familiar item from home in the classroom can help ease the transition for these children.  Others may not have had a positive holiday break and they may be reluctant to share their experiences with others. It may be difficult for them to listen to the stories others share about all the fun and exciting gifts they experienced. To help with this, teachers can do activities that avoid singling out individual experiences. For example, instead of having each student share their holiday stories, the class can collectively engage in an activity that allows students to share positive experiences that are not holiday-specific, so all children can contribute to a shared positive atmosphere. This approach helps to minimize discomfort for those who may not have had a happy holiday while still allowing others to feel included. By acknowledging and addressing these varied emotions, teachers can create a more empathetic and supportive atmosphere. Understanding each child's unique response to the return to school enables teachers to tailor their approach, making the transition smoother for everyone.  Revisiting classroom managementRevisiting classroom routines and classroom management strategies will help to set the tone for a successful start to the new year. Reintroducing classroom procedures ensures everyone knows what to expect. For example, practicing entering and leaving the classroom quietly, taking turns during discussions, and following the steps for group work provides consistency and helps create a stable and predictable learning environment.  Engage in goal setting activitiesThe new year is also a great opportunity to engage students in goal-setting for the rest of the year. Children can set both personal and school-related goals. Personal goals may include becoming more comfortable with the classroom environment or making new friends. Teachers can foster a sense of belonging by organizing activities that encourage social interaction and cooperation. On the academic front, school goals can range from improving reading skills to mastering a challenging math concept. Teachers can support these goals by offering personalized learning activities, providing additional resources, and celebrating small achievements along the way. Teachers can periodically revisit these goals, discussing progress and adjusting strategies as needed. This process not only enhances academic performance but also contributes to the development of valuable life skills such as perseverance and self-motivation.  Incorporating goal-setting into the classroom management strategy not only addresses individual needs but also promotes a positive and forward-looking atmosphere for the new year. As we navigate the post-holiday emotions, encouraging students to set and work towards their goals can be a powerful tool in creating a supportive and thriving learning environment.  Focus on the positivesEmbracing a positive mindset means looking for the good things happening in the classroom. For example, we can start each day by sharing one positive thing that happened recently or acknowledge a student's effort in completing a challenging task. This positivity sets the tone for a happy and successful learning environment. When we notice students doing things right, let's celebrate those moments. We can use simple rewards, like tokens, warm fuzzy jars, or a chart for the whole class, to encourage positive behavior.  Keeping a positive attitude, finding the good stuff, and cheering on positive behaviors will help us have a great time back in the classroom and a successful year ahead. Related Posts The first weeks of school can be exhausting and overwhelming both for students and for teachers. It is important to make sure that these days are a mix of activities that help with the transition back into work mode, are fun and engaging, and also slowly reintroduce academic skills and concepts. One of the most important goals is to create a positive and engaging learning environment where your students feel safe and the classroom community is one of respect and caring for each other. Here are 10 activities to consider:  1. Icebreaker Activities: Plan icebreaker activities to help your students get to know one another and build a sense of community. These can include "All About Me" presentations, "Find Someone Who", sharing circles, or partner interviews. Encourage students to share their interests, hobbies, and goals for the school year.  2. Establish Classroom Rules: Collaboratively develop classroom rules with your students. Discuss the importance of respect, responsibility, and cooperation. Create visual reminders of the rules and involve your students in creating a classroom rules display.  3. Name Games and All About Me Activities: Use name games and activities to help your students learn and remember each other's names. Play name games, create name tags, or use interactive name charts. Do activities that help them to share information about themselves. Create "All About Me" posters, collages, or shields. Try combining name acrostics with interests.  4. Daily Routines: Teach and practice daily routines and procedures, such as entering the classroom, morning routines, transitions, lining up, and using materials. Model and practice these routines to ensure a smooth flow of the school day.  5. Team Building Activities: Include team-building activities to encourage cooperation and collaboration. Assign the students group tasks or problem-solving activities that require them to work together and share ideas. This helps build relationships, create a supportive classroom community, and develop important social skills.  6. Classroom Jobs or Responsibilities: Introduce classroom jobs and allow your students to take on responsibilities within the classroom. Assign age-appropriate tasks such as line leader, librarian, or materials organizer. This encourages a sense of responsibility, promotes leadership skills, and helps them feel valued and involved in the classroom community.  7. Growth Mindset Activities: Teach and reinforce the concept of a growth mindset through activities and discussions. Help your students understand that their abilities can be developed through effort, perseverance, and a positive attitude. Engage in discussions about challenges, mistakes, and the power of "yet" (e.g., "I can't do it yet, but I will keep trying").  8. Math and Literacy Centers: Set up math and literacy centers with hands-on activities that review or reinforce skills previously taught. These centers can include puzzles, manipulatives, sorting activities, or small-group games that focus on essential concepts.  9. Arts and Craft Projects: Plan arts and craft projects that allow your students to express their creativity and personalize their learning environment. This can include creating classroom banners, designing name tags, or decorating bulletin boards with collaborative artwork.  10. Brain Breaks: It is important to include energizing brain breaks throughout the day to help your students stay focused and engaged. These can include quick physical activities, stretches, or movement-based games that allow them to recharge their energy.  Remember to create a balanced schedule that includes a mix of academic, social emotional, and community building activities during the first weeks of school.  These activities will help your students feel connected, engaged, and excited about the learning journey ahead. They may also help lessen your teacher overwhelm and stress as you make connections and develop relationships with your students. Related Posts
It's that time of year again. Summer break is ending for some and nearing the halfway mark for others. Teachers are starting to gear up again and think about the new school year. School supplies are everywhere, back to school ads are appearing on the television and the teacher brain is going into overdrive. As hard as it is, it's important to try and keep relaxing and recharging so that you don't burn out before the year even gets going.  Does this sound like you?• can't turn off teacher brain • wondering how you are going to do assessments • not finding enough time for planning • juggling setting up routines while keeping kids engaged • differentiating for range of ability levels • trying to make lessons fresh and engaging  So many questions and worriesHow can I go on when I am so exhausted? How will I manage to assess everyone while keeping others engaged? What if the range in my class is too wide?  I've been there. It is exhausting and at times overwhelming. That's why I have collected some of the different resources and activities that have been successful with my students and I've created The Ultimate Primary Teachers Ready To Go Kit. These resources and activities can make the beginning of the year enjoyable and less stressful for both you and your students.  Returning to school after summer break isn't always fun for kids. They've been free to do different things without the structure of the classroom routines. Now they have to fit into set schedules, rules, and routines of a new grade and a new teacher. Engage your students from the very first day with dynamic activities and icebreakers. This kit features interactive games, team-building exercises, and activities that foster a positive classroom community. With the colorful posters and educational activities, you can set up an inspiring learning space that encourages curiosity and exploration.  This comprehensive kit is designed specifically for primary teachers. Packed with a wide range of resources and activities, this kit is your go-to solution for start-of-the-year preparation, emergency sub plans, and engaging substitute teacher activities. From day one to those unexpected absences, it's got you covered!  Check out what it includesClassroom management resources and ice breakers and some active games Posters and task cards as well as ice breaker tools and active games that will help you with your classroom routines and management to create a positive classroom environment. Back To School resources full of activities for the first weeks back These resources will give your students many different activities to do while you are trying to do assessments or trying to get to know your kids. Literacy activities for reading, writing, language development Reading for evidence, working with vocabulary and sounds, task cards for parts of speech and idioms, writing prompts are just a few of the activities here. Math review for basic operations, graphing, and measurement Basic math operations review, working with glyphs, and measurement games to get kids ready for more skills as they move on to more abstract concepts. Science posters, graphic organizers, and experiments to get the year started off right Positive self esteem activities and resources to create positive mindsets  Get ready to kick off the school year with confidence and ease and ensure a successful academic year for both you and your students. Get The Ultimate Primary Teachers Ready To Go Kit today and experience the peace of mind that comes with being well-prepared!  Not sure if you need the full kit? There are individual kits available as well. There is even a sampler kit for those who want to try just a few of the activities from each area. Check out my TPT store to find out more about the individual kits. If you are ready for a less stressful start to the year grab your ultimate kit now. |
About Me Charlene Sequeira
I am a wife, mother of 4, grandmother of 9, and a retired primary and music teacher. I love working with kids and continue to volunteer at school and teach ukulele. 
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