SCHOOL is STARTING! In more + more districts!
Can you feel the pulse of your favorite teacher beginning to race? Ever faster?
I thought it would be fun to ask some of my favorite teachers what they *WISH* parents were saying to their children -- the night before school begins. Here. In the order folks responded are their 'unedited' teacher-responses. From profound, to nitty-gritty, including the pithy and the tongue-in-cheek, with everything in between!
"You totally are ready for this. You are going to have a great time and make so many new friends. Remember to listen to your teacher she/he is there to keep you safe and help you learn. I know that you will listen carefully so you can show the other kids how kindergarteners behave on the first day of school. And no matter what, if you have to go to the bathroom and you think you're going to have an accident..... just go. Your teacher won't be mad and she/he doesn't want you to have an accident." ~~from Marsha at "A Differentiated Kindergarten"
"You'll have so much fun!!Try not to be nervous and know that I will be thinking about you all day long! Listen to your teacher, be nice to your friends and be prepared to tell me all about your adventures when you get home!! I love you. ~~ From Elizabeth at "Mrs. Hodge and Her Kindergarten Kids"
"If you are going to throw up find a trash can." ~~ Matt from MattBGomez He later added: "This quote is a great one, 'You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.' -Christopher Robin."
***Matt is our Mystery #GuestEduCelebrity during our weekly Tuesday Twitter-for-PRACTICE-newbie-Chatters. He will be directing the tweeps in a chat on all things TECHNOLOGY in the classroom! Plan now to join us! 9:00 PM EST! True newbies are encouraged to come at 8:30 when the chat is slowest. Join us on August 12th. Leave your glitter in the drawer.
"Remember to go potty when the teacher tells you to." ~~ Jennifer of "Teaching with Grace"
"You are ready for this! Think of school as your second home and your teacher just like your mommy. She is there for you if you need anything! Have a fun day and enjoy it!!" ~~ Cheryl of "Crayons and Curls"
"Your teacher is so excited to see you and has wonderful learning activities planned for you. I can't wait to hear all about it when you get home!" ~~MaryLou from my FB fanpage
"Asking a child how they are feeling about starting school, provides the parent with the child's perspective on what the child may be worried or excited about. Acknowledging whatever that feeling is would be a very supportive way to help a child be ready for the first day." ~~ Deborah at BrainInsights
"You are going to have so much fun and learn so much! Be sure to do your very best, show your teacher what you already know and don't worry if you don't know something, your teacher will help you. If your teacher doesn't tell you where the bathroom is at the beginning of class, ask where it is and what you should do if you need to go. Remember to share and to smile!" ~~ Melissa at "Transitional Kinder with Mrs.O" She later added: "The number one thing I want parents to tell their child is who will be picking them up/how they will be getting home. Also if the child can't say their last name and you can't be with them that first day PLEASE write their full name on a card and pin it to them."
"Be the very best you, YOU can be! It is okay to have all kinds of feelings. We are in this together. Listen carefully to your teacher and all the adults in the school. They will help you. Don't be afraid to ask questions about things you aren't sure about. I/we are very proud of you." ~~ Principal Peggy, retired
I am a kindergarten teacher and I find that when parents spend too much time talking about 'not worrying' about who will pick them or up or not worrying about who will play with them at school or not worrying about how nice their teacher will be, those are the children that spend the day being worried. Their parents gave them way too many things to consider worrying about by doing this. Perhaps a good idea would be to get the book, 'The Kissing Hand' from the library and read it to them at home the night before. It is ok if the teacher reads it again the next day at school, it wil be something familiar for the child. If a parent is confident in dropping off the child and pointing out all the fun things about the morning and then leaves quickly, the student has a chance to become engaged immediately and the day will swim by. A hug and a quick 'I love you' go a long way." ~~ Christina of "Sea Bears Kindergarten"
"I love you and I will come back. Remember school is different than home -- use your restroom breaks." ~~ Jada of "Daisy Days for Learning"
"I am going to drop you off at the door and leave. Understand?" ~~ Emily, "Education to the Core"
"Stay and play and I will come back to get you at the end of the day." Simple but to the point. ~~ Emma of "Clever Classroom"
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I have to admit, I saved my favorite insight till last. This is my favorite suggestion, not because she brown-nosed me into it. I think her suggestion has TRUE potential to make an impact. Of course we music-people need to stick together! Here's what Miss Carole {of Macaroni Soup fame} has to offer....
"I suggest singing something positive at bedtime -- put a positive little tune in their heads that can surface at any moment the next day! Make one up! 'I can do this, yes I can, yes I can, yes I can. I can do this, yes I can, my mom said so!' To the tune of London Bridge!" ~~ Miss Carole
What's your favorite?
Do you have additional suggestions?
By all means leave a comment below!
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I love all of these!!!! :)
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