First Day of Kindergarten or PK Ideas

I'm creating this post with two wonderful friends who are outstanding teachers, Janet Wilkins and Brandy Calkins.   I taught with Brandy at KIPP Explore and with Janet at Stephens Elementary in Katy.  

What are your favorite first day of school activities?

• When students walk into your classroom have table activities ready that will not require your direct supervision.  Here are a few:  Print out each student's name in a very large font and laminate each name or use page protectors.  Allow your students to use Play-doh to form the letters of their names or allow free play with the Play-doh.   
  
  Get to know your students right away by simply leaving a plain piece of paper and crayons on each table.  Let your students draw a picture.  If a child needs additional support, you may ask, "What do you like to play with at home?" or "What did you do this summer?" Later in the day, ask each student what his/her picture is about and write down his/her words.  This first picture and dictation could immediately go on a bulletin board.  

• Have your students go on a NAME HUNT with a parent when they enter your classroom.  Before locating the child's seat, have the student and parent look around the room and count how many times they can find the child's name.

• Engage your students in an interactive story dramatization of Brown Bear, Brown Bear By by Eric Carle.  The teacher needs to prepare for the lesson by copying, coloring and laminating pictures of the animals in the book. After reading the book the first time, show students how to hold up the animal when it is mentioned in the story.  Continue to read the book throughout the week so that each child has an opportunity to participate. 

• Read Corduroy by Don Freeman.  Have a stuffed bear that looks like Corduroy or a drawing of Corduroy.  Have the students imagine that Corduroy's button is lost somewhere in the school.  Take the students on a tour of the school while meeting different teachers and the principal as they ask, "Have you seen Corduroy's button?"  Finally have a specific person have a button that does look like Corduroy's button.  The students will be ecstatic to find the button and they will have explored the school building in the process.  

•  Have students sit in a circle and roll a small ball to each other say name and something about themselves.

• Sing fun songs with your students.  Get them excited about being in your classroom! Here are a few:  "The Hokey Pokey," "Shake Your Sillies Out," "Yo Gabba Gabba," "Hot Dog Dance" & "Mickey Mouse Club."  You can find songs and dances on YouTube!
  
  
  These are just a few ideas.  There will be more to follow....