The First Day Of School

"You only have 30 seconds to make a first impression.  But it takes approximately 20 additional encounters to undo or change a bad first impression!" Abraham Maslow, Hierarchy of Human Needs

     Welcome back to school!  If that quote doesn't stress you out about planning the first day, I'm not sure what will.  If the first day of school goes wrong or isn't planned to its maximum, you are four weeks into your semester before you can recapture that student!  Yikes!  And for us in block schedule, that is 1/4  of the course gone.  Let's get it right from the beginning.  

     Ideas?

• Greet the students at the door
• Share your passion and experiences
• Play getting to know you games
• Create a safe and secure environment
• Read "My First Three Days" in Teach Like A Pirate by Dave Burgess and WOW the students in your own similar fashion.
• I play a Fun French Facts Jeopardy Game to help break the ice; available for $1.15 on my store.

I also love some of Dave Burgess's Ideas:

"Welcome to the World Famous Learning Extravaganza"

"This is a No-Meanness Zone"

"I offer a prize to any student who can tell be the name of every student in class at the end of the activity."

"You don't want to miss tomorrow."

Have Fun  -  Show Compassion  -  Build Rapport