First- Getting Ready Before Day One

Below is a checklist of nuts and bolts helpful to consider when getting ready before day one. It’s a lot! Before digging in, seek support from your site admin and colleagues. Likely many of the goals here are already taken care of at the site level, once you ask.

Below is a checklist of student materials helpful to consider when getting ready before day one. It’s a lot! Before digging in, seek support from your site admin and colleagues. Likely many of the materials here are already taken care of at the site level, once you ask. These materials are not specific to content. Please refer to content checklists for student materials needed for each content.

Below is a checklist for setting up your first grade classroom. Design towards setting up the classroom  environment to support student’s independence, access and belonging. It’s a lot! Before digging in, seek support from your site admin and colleagues. Likely many of the materials here are already taken care of at the site level, once you ask. These materials and ideas are not specific to content. Please refer to content checklists for student materials needed for each content.

Here are some possible scenarios that might occur in the first day or first few weeks of school and ideas for how to address them offered by veteran first grade teachers. It is definitely incomplete! Taking time to anticipate scenarios and plan proactively will help create a welcoming, culture of learning from day one. Please connect with colleagues for anticipating support as well.

This is a list of read aloud books that can be helpful with welcoming students into first grade, fostering belonging and community and introducing SEL skills such as growth mindset, conflict resolution, and identifying feelings. This is just a top of mind list from veteran teachers. Please seek support from colleagues, librarians, and coaches for additional ideas. If you have other favorites please add them as a comment.

Here are some common procedures and routines to teach on the first day(s) of school. There are some notes on how to prepare to teach each procedure/routine with the script of what you might say in green.

See this example of a primary grade classroom that is ready for day one. Notice how intentionally sparse the walls and materials are (materials in bins closed, walls relatively blank, calming color scheme). Anchor charts and scaffolds are very large or kept at first grade eye level to the extent possible. The goal is to develop student ownership and independence over their learning environment. This video is in two parts. Click on the next postcard for part two. 

See the second part of this example of a primary grade classroom that is ready for day one. Notice how intentionally sparse the walls and materials are (materials in bins closed, walls relatively blank, calming color scheme). Anchor charts and scaffolds are very large or kept at first grade eye level to the extent possible. The goal is to develop student ownership and independence over their learning environment. 

See this example of a primary grade classroom that is ready for day one. Notice how intentionally sparse the walls and materials are (materials in bins closed, walls relatively blank, calming color scheme). Anchor charts and scaffolds are kept at first grade eye level to the extent possible. The goal is to develop student ownership and independence over their learning environment. 

See this example of the same primary grade classroom six weeks later. Notice artifacts of student learning, anchor charts, student-created scaffolds, and pictures of student's families on the walls. Also see how student materials are organized for access, ownership and independence over their learning environment.