The First Days Matter How Culture is Established Before Curriculum Takes Hold

The First Days Matter

How Culture is Established Before Curriculum Takes Hold

It’s time to welcome students and staff back to our buildings for another school year! Hopefully you’ve had a restful summer and are ready for another year! Before you jump into your content, setting the foundation of your classroom environment, expectations, and beginning to build relationships with your students must

come first. 

The First Impression Matters 

What are students seeing as they enter your school building and your classroom? Is it a welcoming environment? Are teachers excited to see their new students? It is important that our students feel like they belong and the atmosphere is inviting for them. (This is important for staff to feel too and that will be addressed in a future leadership blog post.) The first impression you make on your class is important as it sets the tone for the year. Make sure you create a welcoming and exciting atmosphere to kick off the year. 

Relationships Before Rules

The first days shouldn't be entirely about rules, routines, and consequences. This is important and we’ll discuss this in the next section. Students need to know that their teacher sees them and they belong. Make sure you take time to learn your students’ names and greet each student as they enter your classroom. Find out your students’ interests and begin to get to know them. Intentionally connecting with students is a great way to kick off the school year and will help with shy or anxious students. Establishing this climate in your classroom from the beginning will help you later on to get more engagement and participation from all learners. 

Teach the Culture You Want

Don't assume students know what good behavior looks like. Setting clear expectations from the beginning of the year is crucial. Oftentimes it’s assumed that students should know what to do, what good behavior is, and how to be respectful. Don’t assume that. Take time in the beginning of the school year and go over your rules and procedures. Include students in making your classroom rules and expectations. Make an anchor chart and refer to it throughout the school year. Every student should be aware of the expectations in your classroom. It is also important to model the behavior you want to see from your students. 

Consistency Creates Security

Consistency is key for your classroom routines and management. In September, you should: establish routines that are predictable, establish clear expectations, use consistent language, and use positive reinforcement. When your classroom is consistent and expectations are clear, students feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.

The Adults Set the Temperature

Students take their cues from adults. If the principal is stressed, the teachers feel it. If the teachers are frustrated, the students feel it. If the adults in the building are positive, that is what the students will feel. The adults should consistently model what they want from their students. The culture of a school is often a reflection of what the adults consistently model.

The First Days Set Up The Entire Year

The first days aren't just about starting school. They're about setting the tone for the entire school year. The first days matter because culture doesn't start after the school year begins. The first days are the beginning of the culture. 

Wishing educators everywhere an amazing year!