3 First Week of School Must-Haves

Let’s be honest. The first day of school is often a train wreck. The buses are late, the students can’t find their classes, and either the printer breaks down, or your copies aren't rt ready. This 2021-2022 school year will be my sixth year teaching. Over the past few years, the meet-the-teacher, class syllabus, and daily agenda have been lifesavers for me.

Meet The Teacher

The purpose of a meet-the-teacher form is for you to introduce yourself to your student and their family. I typically keep the details pretty simple and include information about my immediate family, hobbies, education, and favorite things. A few years back, at the start of a new school year, I remember doing the Two Truths and a Lie Ice Breaker. The first student I called responded, “I know I’m correct because I saw pictures on Facebook.” So, yeah. If you teach middle school, you'd better believe those students and parents are searching for you on social media. This meet-the-teacher will give them a little history about you without them having to search–well, at least that’s the hope. 

Class Syllabus

The main purpose of a syllabus is to inform students and parents about what the class is about. It will provide a quick overview of the course description, required materials, topics covered, grading scale, and class rules. Both students and parents are informed of what is expected to transpire during the semester and what should be learned. Giving the expectations up front allows students and parents to make an informed decision about their education.

Agenda

The agenda is by far the one I use most. I usually create one for the week and one for the day. I teach all levels of middle school Health Occupations. On any given day, I taught three different lessons to three different grade levels. This is the only way that I can stay on track. It not only helps me stay on track, but it is also there for all the little Johnnys who, as soon as that tardy bell rings, ask, “What are we doing today?” Like seriously. Typically, at the start of the semester, several students will ask what we are doing–even with the agenda clearly posted. After a while, they got into the routine and knew where to go for important reminders, their bell work, and daily tasks.

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Having a plan will ensure that you stay on track and accomplish your goals. These free editable templates will help you get off to a great start and maintain momentum throughout the year. Click here to get your copy.

Happy Teaching!