FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

BY: JILLIAN HARDING

Right off the bat, students will find a scrap piece of

paper on a desk with their name on it, and a question
on the board (generic about their summer). These
generic questions will be on the board every morning
and can be on any topic (math, language) and students
will get themselves settled for the day and will
complete the question and be prepared to share if
called upon. Prior to this, students will place agendas in
ROUTINES

When students are completing a task, there will be a visual

timer on the board so they know how long they have until the
time for the activity or task is over.
After each fitness break, students will be expected to get a
book and read quietly until I am ready to begin, giving me
time to deal with any issues that have arisen from recess.
Students will have different groups for all subjects, and they
will be expected work get into those groups when it is time to
work. They will be made up of a variety of students abilities
so they have to collaborate and help one another. These will
be displayed on the board so I can change them if needed.
 Students will have to sign their name on the board if
ROUTINES
they are leaving the room for a bathroom or water
break rather than asking during a lesson. Only two
students out a time.
There will be a pencil sharpener in the room students
can access when needed. Spare pencils will be on my
desk.
Students will know that they are to wait for all of my
instructions before they begin. I will signal that with
go.
If students missed a day, they will go to the handout
binder and they will find all the sheets they missed.
ROUTINES
At least once a week students will have an inquiry
based task that will be develop into a lesson on the
particular goal of the task. This will be used to spark
students interest in what they are learning rather than
using a traditional direct teaching method.
I will aim to have one activity during each 100 minute
block that gets students out of their desks and moving
around the classroom to some degree.
The teacher will make a point to meet with each
student every two weeks to check in on their progress
and see what the student needs and wants to meet
BEHAVIOUR

Students will be expected to keep their phones away unless

they are being used for a lesson. If phones come out when
they are not needed, I will keep it in phone jail until the end
of the day.
If students wish to talk during a lesson, they will be asked to
raise their hands, but class discussion will be welcomed as
long as it is on topic.
Students will receive a warning if their behaviour is becoming
unacceptable. First it will be a verbal warning, that is the que
that that a student needs to take a breather out in the hall
they can do so to regroup and come back to the class.
BEHAVIOUR
-At the start of the year, the students and I will co-
create a set of classroom rules that they wish to be true
for all who come in the classroom. These will be the
standards that students will be held to while at school.
Due dates will be expected to be met unless a student
fills out a late submission form that entails why they
cant complete the assignment on time.
There will be a zero tolerance policy for any
discrimination or bullying that happens at school, and
students parents will be notified if such an incidence
occurs.
BEHAVIOUR
If the teacher needs to talk to a student about
behaviour problems, it will be done in the hall rather
than signalling the student out during class.
The teacher will work with students who are having
trouble with their behaviour in class to develop signs
that they may need to be removed from a situation or
given time to go to a safe space to regroup
These signs will be used to help control behaviour
within the class for any students who feel they would
benefit from it.
COGNITIVE PRACTICES
No student answer will ever be turned down, but if there is
more to add to it, I will encourage students with prompts to
further their thinking, as well as encourage other students to
help their peer. This will hopefully encourage student
participation as they will always be encouraged, and supported
by their peers.
After a question is asked, wait time of about 20 seconds will be
given to students to think about the question before
answering.
To gain student attention, I will ask for Everyone's attention
here please and that will be the signal to end your own
conversation and direct focus to where I am standing.
COGNITIVE PRACTICES

Within group work, students will be working to further

their knowledge as a group, and build team work skills
that will be applicable for them to build upon in real
world situations
Critical thinking will be further evoked with all student
answers, I will encourage students to think beyond the
surface, and try to form a more in-depth answer.
ACTIVITIES
Day one will be a few activities to get to know one another,
and for them to get to know the teacher. Guidelines will be set
for the year that day as a class. Students will know what to
expect of the teacher, and what they expect of each of them.
Day two there will be some activities that will allow for
assessment of who students work together with other
students, this will be used to create groups they will use for
the year. The teacher will look for what students take what role
when given a task.
Day three will be a lot of diagnostic assessment for the teacher
to gage where the students are at in core subjects such as
reading, writing and math.
ACTIVITIES
Students will work through a series of get to know you
activities as a break throughout the first few days of
class. They will be doing a lot of assessment work so I
can get an understanding of where they are at with
their learning.
These activities will not only be for students to get to
know one another, but for them to get to know me and
for me to get to know them. Making a good start of
the year with students knowing that their teacher
cares about what is going on in their life.
SEATING PLAN

Teachers Desk Front of Class