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A teacher in our building did a bulletin board introducing herself to
her students. She included pix of herself and her family and friends from
grade school thru college. She also included report cards, concert tickets
-- any memorabilia that helped describe her growing up. It was very high
interest and the kids really loved it. I'm thinking of doing the same thing
this year.
Here are couple of other good ideas, along the same lines:
One of the most important things you can do at the beginning of the year
is
establish a connection to your kids. Introduce yourself, tell some stories.
I start off the year telling kids who I am and why I teach. I bring in pictures
of my family and pets. Kids make a natural connection to animals. I
tell them "Ranger" stories. Ranger is a 120 lb. golden retriever
who is afraid
of everything. I introduce him as my "problem child". Students
(I teach 6th
grade and they are the youngest in our 6-8 configuration.) come in terrified,
not knowing what to expect. They have heard all the rumors of 8th graders
stuffing 6th graders into garbage cans. (Never happened) :o). Telling the
"Ranger" stories adds levity to that frightening first day, eases
tension,
and lets them know that it's really okay to laugh. It opens the door to
communication. It lets them know that teachers are "human" after
all. Of
course then they all want to tell their "pet" stories. Each day
for the first
week or so I allow a different group of kids (I can't say rows, as my kids
are
not in rows) to bring in pictures of their pets and family to share.
Pam
Pam,
I like the idea about the personal stories at the beginning of
the year. I thought I would start a "Get to know me" wall where
I will
have pictures of my family, a picture of me in 6th grade (that should
get a good laugh!!) and other objects that tell about me as a person.
And from there I will allow each student to make their own section of
the wall so and I thought I could tie it into both Reading and social
studies.
Thanks again for the ideas!
Jill