Teacher Talk Tuesdays: Classroom Community

  I'm already loving this linky for connecting with and learning from fellow teacher bloggers.  We have Lisa at Second Grade Stories to thank for this one :)

    Creating a classroom community is possibly my biggest focus in the weeks leading up to meeting my new little learners.  Isn't that why we all stress out about getting our classrooms set up?  I've rearranged my general layout, got rid of my teacher desk for a sweet new kidney small group table, and have been tweaking some of my classroom management strategies based on last year's experience.  We worry so much about this stuff over solely focusing on lesson planning because it sets a tone.    I'm excited that we have a half day August 17 followed by full days the rest of the week.  Normally we have half days on a Thursday and Friday before hitting the ground running.  I plan on using this solid week to really work on rules and procedures as well as making my students a family.  My grade had issues with students treating others kindly last year which made me really think about what I could do to help things out.   I'm sharing my Big Plan for week one with you and will update with how it actually goes later.  For the half day on Monday, the focus will be on important procedures they need to know for the end of the day and the following morning.  We will also do a basic get to know you activity.   Tuesday:  We will read and discuss "How Full is Your Bucket?" and kick off bucket filling in our room.  My plan is to allow students to fill out slips after they finish morning work and during the last five minutes of the day after they pack up.   Wednesday:  We will read "Ruby the Copycat" and "A Bad Case of Stripes" and talk about how great it is for everyone to be his/her own person.  I plan on doing a community quilt and talking about how all the squares are different but come together to make something beautiful.  (Side Note:  Here comes some comparing/contrasting literature, too, for those Common Core Standards!)   Thursday:  I'm working on a "Be a Buddy Not a Bully" lesson/activity for my students with a corresponding note to be sent home for parents.  I want my students to understand how their words can affect others and how they can do something if they see someone else being bullied.  We'll be doing the toothpaste demonstration this day, too, where they squeeze it all out and have to try to put it all back in.   Friday:  On Friday, we'll cover one of our big issues--tattling!  We will read "A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue" and go over the difference between telling and tattling.  I didn't know about this book last BTS, so I'm looking forward to actually teaching my kids the deal!  I'll also try to think up some craftivity in the next week of PD :)   I'm looking to make this a great year for my students and can't wait to show you how it turns out!