Friday was Move-Up Day at my school!
Do you have one at your school? For 30 minutes, all of the students visited their classroom and teacher for next year. Since we only have one teacher for every two grades, the kids know for sure who their new teacher will be.
So the second graders left, I kept my first graders, and the Kindergartners came to see us!
I spent a LOT of time thinking about what I wanted to do for Move-Up Day. I wanted to give the Kinders a little taste of what we do normally, I also wanted to work in a few of our procedures, and I wanted us to have some fun too!
When the Kinders first came in, the first graders showed them the carpet area where we sit for read-alouds and found a spot for each of them. They even offered to share their own spots! I didn't even talk to the first graders about being polite and welcoming - they just did it on their own! First graders, I love you so much.
Then we went over our rules, which are based on the Whole Brain Teaching rules (a few are adjusted). We taught them the hand signals and very briefly discussed each one.
Then we moved into the main attraction... one of our FAVORITE read-alouds this year - Wodney Wat!
The first graders cheered with joy! The Kindergartners just sat quietly (they really took the rules to heart!). I read the book, using my very best Wodney voice - which is award-winning, or so I've been told. :) The Kinders did not understand the funny parts at all, so the first graders and I had explain every page, haha. At the end we talked about how you shouldn't make fun of people for how they talk and that we should be nice to everyone! They all were cool with that idea.
Then we made strawberry mice, inspired by this pin! (I would show you mine, but they look the same...)
And here we are, first graders and Kinders, together!
No fighting. No name calling. No hiding in the coatroom. No screaming in anyone's faces. (Not that any of those things happen on a normal day in my classroom......................)
I know I only had the group together for 30 minutes, but if first impressions mean anything, next year is going to be A-MA-ZING!
And here we are, first graders and Kinders, together!
I know I only had the group together for 30 minutes, but if first impressions mean anything, next year is going to be A-MA-ZING!
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I wish we could have a a move-up day. I love that book, thanks for posting about it and the activity.
ReplyDeleteLorena
YAY for Move-Up Day. I've pitched the idea at my school though we're set up quite differently with anywhere from 6 to 8 classes at each grade level. What a nice way to launch them into summer! Thanks for sharing; fingers crossed that your first impressions are SPOT ON.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
The Corner On Character
I love Wodney. We still talk about him and Camilla Capybara. They are such great examples for my kids...who they should strive to be like and who they should avoid being like.
ReplyDelete❀ Tammy
Forever in First
Our move up day is on Tuesday. However, we don't get our new classes. We just talk to a class from the grade level below about our grade level in general.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Stories From Second
Move up day sounds so cute!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jessica Stanford
Mrs. Stanford's Class Blog is Having a Giveaway!
My TpT Store
This is such a great idea! I am going to have to mention this to my team to arrange this for next year. I am sure the students love it. It is such a great experience for them. THanks for posting about it.
ReplyDeleteApril
Wolfelicious