Get To Know Your Students - Fast!
The beginning of the year can be stressful. You have so much to do, get your room ready, plan lessons, and build a community in your classroom. The last one can be daunting, especially if you teach middle school. You can't wait to meet your students and get to know them. But, getting to know 150 new to you students takes a long time! Here are six activities you can do in your classroom the first week of school! Create Name Plates - The very first thing I want to do with my students is learn their names. I do this by having them create a name plate to post in front of them. I have them take a sheet of white paper, and fold it into three parts (to make a triangle). Then, I have them write their name really big in the center of one of the boxes. On each edge of the box I have them write 2 things that interest them, their favorite book, their favorite sports team, and their favorite movie. (There are endless favorites you c...