The First Weeks for Kindergarten: The Good, The Bad, The Scary
The back to school dreams have started, my room is almost ready, and summer has come to an end, which can only mean the first day of school is upon us!
I wanted to spend some time today talking about all things Kindergarten, especially the first few weeks of school…
The Good, The Bad, and (dun, dun, dun) The Scary
Kindergarten is my Jam! I LOVE Kindergarten.
I love the excitement, I love the stories, I love the growth, I love the hugs, ultimately I love the tiny little humans that I have the pleasure of sharing a classroom with for nine months!
However, I would be lying to you if I didn’t admit that those first 25 days can be darn right scary. I feel like after those first 25 days I start see a change in wind pattern and we start to all get on the same course. Routines are learned, the schedule is smooth, and we start to move and groove with one another as we make our way through the day! (that’s the plan and hope at least, fingers crossed)
Prior to that 25th day there are days when they are crying, I’m crying, we are both crying! (kidding ;)) (Kind of, haha)
Although I will admit there are days where I definitely drive home in silence and hit that tub of ice cream pretty hard!
It’s hard to believe this is the start of my 11th year in Kindergarten, and while I claim to be no expert, I wanted to share a few things that I have learned along the way that have definitely helped me those first few weeks of school.
It is so important spending the time the first few weeks of school and throughout the year on your classroom community. (you will never regret it)
Your kiddos will be excited and want to come back each day when they feel the love and feel like they are apart of the classroom family.
The first few days of school we pretty much just focus on building our classroom community and routines.
Books that I Love to Read the First Few Days
My Friends Make me Happy Jan Thomas
You Get what you Get Julie Gassman
Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker Christianne C. Jones
The Recess Queen Alexis O’Neill
Rocking in my School Shoes James Dean
My Mouth is a Volcano Julia Cook
What to Do with a Problem? Kobi Yamada
Beautiful OOPS! Barney Saltzberg
How Full is your Bucket for Kids Gallup Press
I could go on and on. There are so many GREAT books to read the first few weeks of school to help build your classroom community and set the tone in your classroom. There are days where we easily read three or four books on the topic.
While we read these books we have lots of conversations about what a friend is, what our role is in the classroom is, what to do when we hurt a friends feelings, what makes us happy, what to do when we feel sad, what makes us feel loved, and how to make smart choices in our community.
I have my students model and role play so we can practice strategies like how to cool off when we are upset or how to say sorry when we have hurt someone’s feelings.
We also do a lot of anchor charts at the beginning of the year, where I ask my students to either use their voice to participate and I write their answer or I pass out post-its and they write and draw their answers and add it to the paper.
I feel as though this tip is so valuable! I can’t stress it enough. It is so IMPORTANT to spend the time at the beginning of the year going over all your routines and procedures and practicing them over and over.
I go extremely s-l-o-w-l-y with all my expectations and routines and we practice them over and over and then one more time.
Going over routines those first few days of school can be darn right scary and pretty messy. You can easily feel like a failure. Keep going though! Take a breath and practice again.
Before you know it your line will straighten out in the hallway and your students will start to understand the mechanics of where everything goes and how to be a student in your room.
It might seem monotonous while you are doing it, but you will be so glad you took that time in the beginning of the year because it really does set the tone for the whole year. Save your sanity and front load at the beginning to help your classroom run smoothly throughout the year.
I always try to keep in mind that some of my kiddos have never been a student before. So I explain everything from things as basic as how to sit in a chair to where to put your paper when you are done.
You can click the picture below to get the checklist I use for all the back to school routines and procedures I teach the first few weeks of school.
Over the years I have found that visuals work so well with my students as I model all my procedures and expectations. They are such a valuable tool and show your students exactly what you are looking for. I like to use them the first few weeks of school and then display them around the room. Then as we need to (such as after long breaks) we can refer to them throughout the year.
Click the picture below to read more.
If you are interested I also have a MEGA bundle that also includes hallway, lunchroom, bus, and recess behavior visuals.
This visuals have been such sanity savers in my room. I hope they can be for you too!
For the first few days of school I love to type out our schedule and have a game plan of the day. It just helps me feel a little less nervous those first few days and feel a little more prepared for our day.
I swear even though this is my 11th year, every year I always have that panicky feeling of, “How do I do do this?!” “Do I know what I am doing?!”
Anyone else?!
Fortunately, once I get all my kiddos in the room I start to get my groove back and think, “oh yea, I got this!” (for at least a few minutes)
My own tip for you is to OVER PLAN. I always forget how long it takes us to complete everything the first few days, but I love having lots of books, ideas, and activities lined up, just in case. (helps to calm the first day jitters)
The first few weeks of Kindergarten are fun, scary, exciting, adventurous, and EXHAUSTING!
I swear I fall asleep by 8-9 at the latest most nights and by the first Friday back I am a puddle on the couch by 7 o’clock.
It is so important to give yourself grace and to take care of you those first few weeks back!
Try to do as much as you can before you start your year as far as laundry and house cleaning so that first week back you don’t have to worry about it.
Make sure you drink lots of water!
Buy the chocolate, eat the ice cream!
That first weekend if you can, take some time for you. Take a walk, read a book, take a bath, go for a manicure, sit in silence. (In fact, I highly recommend you do this each weekend if you can)
Whatever it is that fills your cup!
This past year I decided to sign up for the Teacher Care Crate and it has been the BEST self care decision I have made for myself.
Each month I get a package beautifully designed by The Design Teacher and it is the perfect reminder to take some time for ME!
I cannot say enough good things about it. It’s such a fun treat each month!
Well, I think I have said enough for today! I hope you enjoyed reading through my tips and advice for the first few weeks of Kindergarten!
I hope you have a wonderful start to your year and if there is ever anything I can do to help, please email me, I am happy to help or listen!
Cheers to a great school year, your students are lucky to have you!
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