Kindergarten Kiddos

The week before school starts

August 11, 2012 at 5:54 am | Posted in Classroom, Week-by-Week | Leave a comment

I know you think this is the week you have to get your room looking amazing because you will be meeting new students and new parents and you want to make a good impression. Please don’t wear yourself out. Get everything tidy and be sure you have all the paperwork together for the parents. Get some sort of little something to give to the students when they come to meet you. This can be as simple as a die cut smiley face that says welcome to kindergarten on it, or a printed welcome card with stickers on it.

This is my fifth year to welcome kinders to my classroom, and this is what I’m doing:

1. A gallon Ziploc bag with each child’s name will go home on meet the teacher night with this note printed on an attached sticker: PLEASE RETURN EVERYTHING IN THIS BAGGIE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! THANK YOU!  It is common for kindergarten students to have “potty accidents.” Please put a clean change of pants, underwear, and socks in this bag for child in case this happens to them. Your child will need to clean and change themselves as the teacher will need to monitor the rest of the class, so please send something easy for your child to change into. You have my word that if your child should have an accident at school it will be handled in the kindest way and in a way that shows the utmost respect for your child. This will also be expected of each of your child’s classmates.

All of the following items will be included in the baggie:

1. I absolutely LOVE the glitter card I discovered at “sunny Days in Second Grade” http://sunnydaysinsecondgrade.blogspot.com/search/label/back%20to%20school                        

2. This freebie is awesome!  I love how it just cuts to the heart of what we need to know (and have time to read). You can download it at L.A. Beach teacher’s TPT account: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Parent-3-2-1

3. This student information form will be in the baggie too. I’m printing it out in color; it’s just too cute not too!  You can get this at: Firs Grade WOW! http://firstgradewow.blogspot.com/2012/06/beginning-of-year-forms.html

4. These transportation forms will be in the baggie:  I’m printing them out in color too! Just too cute! Here’s where you can find it: http://twocandoit.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-09-11T16%3A34%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7

5.This parent volunteer form:  You can find it at: http://mrskincaid.blogspot.com/2011/07/delegating-to-parent-volunteers.html it is even editable so you can make it meet your needs! Thanks for sharing Mrs. Kincaid!!!

6. At the top of the stack of papers in the baggie will be the meet the teacher page:

Of course I edited it to meet my needs, but what a cute idea! You can find the example at: http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20the%20Teacher she has some great ideas, and they are all cute!

7. A cute pencil and/or eraser, a smiley face that has “Welcome to Kindergarten” written on it, a sheet of fun stickers, and any other little goodies I find that the kiddos might like.

You don’t have to have all of these things together, and on the other hand there may be more that you need. Focus on getting organized and getting through the first day and REST! Please rest.

This week gather everything you MUST have for the first day of instruction. Play dough, coloring sheets, baby wipes, tissues (there will be tears), a great CD for music throughout the day, a couple of your favorite books, lunch tickets, transportation system so everyone gets home safely, comfortable shoes, and anything else you absolutely need. Don’t panic if you don’t feel like you have everything together. These little darlings aren’t going to learn much other than how to “do school” the first couple of weeks. There is plenty of time to teach all the essential knowledge and skills after you teach procedures. Focus on getting things together that teach procedures, friendship, and how to safely have fun at school.

After you get the first day out of the way you’ll be able to relax a little. You’ve got to be rested that first day. Kindergarten is one of the most physically exhausting grades to teach, however it is also one of the most rewarding emotionally. You will probably need a nap when you get home. Take care of yourself.