My Teachers' Checklist for the Beginning of the Year

I am sharing this checklist with my staff on Wednesday, six days before students arrive.

Within First Day

Give students a tour of the school Know all their names and get to know each other Explain school expectations and start to build classroom rules Provide a classroom environment conducive for learning and success - Physical (light, temperature, space, noise) - Adequate Planning - Structure - Scheduling

By Friday of First Week

Build a community of learners (RC, Tribes, other team builders) Teach Cool Tools, fire and tornado drill, Code Red and Yellow Ensure success for all students on first academic activity Set academic goals with students and/or families Identify students' strengths, interests, needs (Maslow) Start content area instruction with pre-assessments

Before End of First Month

Post learning targets as a grade level Structure classroom so kids are reading and writing 50% of the time Differentiate instruction as needed so all students can be successful Observe and practice collaboration skills (whole staff) Communicate positively, two-way with your families Plan to meet regularly on building teams (grade level and vertical) Start developing classroom look-fors for literacy and numeracy Build relationships with students, knowing their motivations and triggers Develop a Plan B when students don't respond to regular instruction Read "Six Elements for Every Child" by Richard Allington

Questions I Have

What is missing?

What have I left out that should be missing?

Are my expectations too high?

Are my expectations not high enough?

What should be added?

What should be subtracted?