First Day of School Outline

Morning Greeting: Greet students at the door. Instruct the students to put their
backpacks up at their cubbies and then find their assigned seats. Their assigned seat
will have a nametag on it.
Ice Breaker: Each student will have a copy of the All About Me book waiting for
them at their seat. On the board will be instructions to work on the All About Me
book quietly, while the rest of their classmates arrive. The supplies they need will be
at their desks. Students can talk to their neighbors and help each other, but if noise
gets too loud then itll be a silent activity.
Teacher Introduction: I will introduce myself and welcome the students to my
class. I will give a little background information about myself and share my All
About Me book with the class. The students will then share their All About Me books
with the classmates at their groups.
Rules and Procedures: The students and I will come up with some brainstorms for
classroom rules. Then I walk through my procedures with them. I will give each
student two copies, one for them to sign and return to me, the other to take home
for their parents.
Activity: The students will be instructed to write a letter to their future selves. They
will seal their letters and return to them to me to store for the year. They will get it
back on the last day of school to read.
The letter should include:
What they are looking forward to this school year
What they are excited about
What they are nervous about
And some personal goals they have for this year
Class picture: I will have one of my co-workers come take a picture of me with my
students on the first day of school! A copy of the picture will be sent home either by
email or Ill have them printed.
Tours: First, I will give the students a tour around our classroom pointing out
where things are located. In particular I will make sure to show them where the
pencil sharpener, trashcan, community supplies (ones they are allowed to help
themselves to when needed), cubbies, homework basket, classroom folders, etc.
Second, the students and I will take a tour (might be a refresher for some, new to
others) of the school. In particular I will make sure to point out the lunchroom,
playground, gym, special classrooms (art, music, computers, etc.), bathrooms, nurse,
main office, etc.

Activity: After returning from lunch, playground, and possibly specialsI will read
a book to the class, such as Arthurs Teacher Trouble by Marc Brown, David Goes to
School by David Shannon and/or If You Take A Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff.
As a class we will discuss the book (or books) and compare/contrast it to their own
school experience.
Dismissal: I will walk the students through the procedure for dismissal. Each
student will get to where they need to go & home safely.