First Day of School!

Down in 4th Grade, we had an amazing 1st day getting to know each other! The beginning of the year is always the time to begin forming a sense of community within the classroom. To do this I always love to get the kids up and moving and communicating with each other. This year started with an all-about-me bingo. As the music played the students walked around the room with big smiles and found a partner. As I observed and interacted with pairs, so many students found that they had similarities with one another. It is human nature to want to feel as though you belong. Finding what we have in common with one another is a great way to break the ice and being to form connections. 

To continue to build on with the sense of community within the classroom I also had to be open with the students. One of the fears as students get older is to feel as though they are others. Students need to know that their classroom is a safe place to ask questions and make mistakes. In order to do this we did the activity I wish my teacher knew. I don't ask my students to do anything that I wouldn't do. I started by listing out examples of what I want my students to know about me. I opened up about what can make me feel nervous and anxious in school and what would help me to get through it, with the help of the class. The students then had time to think about what would make their classroom experience the best. Students were honest, at times vulnerable, and free to say what they felt. 

This will be a great year for my students and a great classroom community in the making!