Every year getting ready for the first day of kinder, is like the very first day of teaching kindergarten for the very first time for me. I think I’m just as anxious, nervous, but excited, and with butterflies in my stomach just like the kids.
Then like flood gates being opened, I have parents and kids all walking in at the same time. Some happy and excited, others holding on to their parents with a death grip, scared, and crying. I somehow maneuver myself in the classroom consoling those who are crying and scared; while asking parents to fill out paperwork. In the past, I have forgotten this part. In the midst of tears, laughs, and kids exploring our classroom, I grab the nearest sheet of paper and rapidly try to get every single parent to give me their information before they leave.
To avoid that in recent years, here is an example of what I set up on the very first day of kinder! If you’re a parent reading this, please give your child’s teacher the following information!
Teacher List……Must have….. 1st day of Kinder
1. Ask your parents how their child will be going home. Here is a template I have designed and immediately lead my parents to that table.
2. Do you have a Kinder Transition Day? After K-3 plus is over, we have one full work week to include professional development without students. Then we re-start with a transition day. On this day, I purposely schedule my parents in, a MONTH in advance. I encourage parents to sign-up weeks ahead then send a reminder. This transition day serves as a Kindergarten overview, expectations, and Q&A time for the remainder of the year. Here is an example of that sign up sheet.
On this day I also have my parents help me set up their child’s interactive math and reading journals for kindergarten!
Having these three things up and ready to go, directs your traffic smoothly, you get the important information, all while you try to console those who are crying, nervous, and anxious! Especially, if you don’t have a transition day…………. as is the case with the K-3 Plus program!
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