First Day

The first day of Kindergarten is often a trying and exhausting four and a half hours. I have had years when I felt I could collapse within minutes of walking the students out for the day. Luckily for me, the last couple of years things have gone more smoothly. I think one of the reasons for this is "Herm the Worm". He is a puppet I have. A worm who lives in a strawberry. He comes out of the strawberry only when the students are all sitting quietly, AND he teaches them how to sit correctly on the rug. We pretend it is a game... because games are always more fun than just practicing... Herm whispers in my ear what he wants them to do with their legs, then I call it out. After a couple of days they have "criss cross applesauce" down pat!

One of the little projects we make on the first day is a self portrait. You can see how telling a simple drawing can be at this age. What a large range of ability there is already! That's what makes teaching fun and worthwhile, though, seeing the growth that comes for kids. What a fun year I am going to have!

Starting off Right

Quite a few years ago when I was in a "grade alike" workshop (that means a bunch of K teachers from a few neighboring counties all getting together to share ideas and collaborate) I heard about a revolutionary new idea. There were these 2 teachers who had a Kindergarten orientation on the first day of school. The students from each class would be mailed an invitation to come to school for one hour (on the first day of school!) with a parent or other adult. The parents filled out a few papers while the kids played, then the other teacher took the parents on a tour of the school (for about 20 minutes or so) answering all of those new Kindergarten parent questions and explaining the school's policies about lunches, milk, pick up, etc. While the regular teacher has a little time with her class to do an activity. Then, a little later, the teachers switch and have the orientation for the other class.
Wow! I immediately began planning my next year's orientation. Now, I have not yet been successful convincing a principal or superintendent to let me have this orientation on the first day of school, but since then I have instituted this tradition on a day right before the first day... say Monday if you start on Tuesday, or like today (Saturday) if you start on Monday.
It is such a fabulous idea! It virtually eliminates crying on the first day. It gives the teacher a chance to get a sneak peak of the students... It gives the students a chance to meet their teacher and classmates in a less threatening environment (it is only an hour or so long).... It gives the nervous parents a chance to ask a hundred questions and check out the place where they will be leaving their children. Overall, it just really reduces everyone's anxiety. And like I said, that is a great idea!
Today was the day at my school, and although I didn't have the best turn out, I feel really energized and excited to start a new year with my Kinders. And above you can see the note one of them made at play time and gave to me. He learned how to spell "Hi" because he likes to text, and that is what his brother taught him! I just love it!