First Day of School Classroom Traditions

One tradition I always do on the first day of school is to take individual pictures of my new students. I snap the photo and then show them the pic right away. Picture perfect, of course!  (I used to do the First Day of First Grade but now that every parent seems to snap their own pic, I moved on to this type of photo.)

Using these photo props is a great way to start and end the year! Makes a great first impression as well as a strong lasting impression! I usually print out a copy of each child holding one in the beginning of the year and hang them up in the classroom to make an adorable bulletin board. 

I also send through the Seesaw app. I think seeing their smiling child helps parents relax if they had those first day jitters themselves.

When I cut these out, I leave a small white border around each one. Makes cutting them out quicker! I just have kids hold them…so simple! What teacher doesn't like SIMPLE?

Next year, I'm going to send home an end-of-year gift that has BOTH back-to-school and end-of-year and pictures  I meant to do it this year but the last day of school crept up on me pretty fast.

Another tradition I LOVE and the kids go BONKERS for is making Magic Play-Doh! Be sure to visit learn how to do it, and grab the freebie there.  If you haven't yet done this fun activity, make this the year you try it out!

Packing Up My Classroom

This is what my class looked like on Friday. Depressing!  Notice that I left up a bulletin board and I didn't cover my bookcases with paper.  That's such a waste of paper!  (My custodian approved.) And anything high on walls stays up too.  Are you allowed to keep some things up? Saves so much time in August when I go to set up my room.

I love that bulletin board! It's the first time I had the same one up all year (without student work! Eek) and will keep it for next year. It's a great message and I referred to it all of the time. Another reason I left it up: I can't access all of that board and could NEVER get it to look right last year.

Here is a close up:

Check out the books I use to teach about Growth Mindset and Perseverance at the beginning of the year.

Do you have any books to recommend for me that touch upon those topics?  Let me know in the comments.

Summer is Officially Here!

It's been forever and a day since I posted but all is good!  GREAT!  

It's been awhile since I finished a school year due to Covid and my leg problems but I did it!  I finished on Friday and had such an awesome year!  Loved my class!  Loved working with my colleagues!  

To celebrate the last day, one of my colleagues brought in these for us!  YUM!  Honestly, the most delicious cookies I've ever tasted. Thanks, Erin!