Back To School!

Everyone thinks that I'm crazy because I LIVE FOR BACK TO SCHOOL! I get so excited when I see the school supply set up come out at Office Max.  It's so bad that even my grandmother buys me Staples gift cards for holidays! I LOVE meeting all of my new students and jumping in to new curriculum.  The majority of my paycheck usually ends up at Barnes and Noble - there's nothing better than new books to start the school year out right. 

This "back to school" season has been even crazier than usual, but I've never been more excited to get things rolling.  I even have an ESL class of 35 freshmen sandwiched between two sections of Honors World Lit!  Their energy is contagious, and I've really enjoyed getting to know all of my new children.  Here's how I got my year started.


We had an "Open House" a few days before the first day of school.  I like for my students to know exactly what the course will be like, so I typed a cute listing of everything we'll read, when my tutoring hours are, and how their parents can contact me.  I also included a supply list. 

I'm a huge fan of treat bags - like, I'll look for a holiday or invent a new one just so I can make treat bags. BUT I was a little pressed for time this year.  I ended up attaching some cute tags to Blow Pops to hand out at Open House.  I was THRILLED that I had so many students come to meet me that I ran out of candy! 

After Open House, I jumped right into making things for the first day of school.  Being a perfectionist will probably kill me one day, but of course I had to make sure my syllabus stood out.  I used rainbow paper (Yay buy one, get one free at Staples!!) and made a template for a flip book syllabus.  Here's how it turned out: 

I like to give my students a survey on the first day of school.  I like knowing the basic things such as favorite movie and favorite candy, BUT it's also super important for me to get know their reading and writing preferences and habits.  I made a brochure-like survey on colored paper.  I learned SO MUCH about my students this way.  

As a first day activity, I had all of my classes fill out a "What You Should Already Know" packet.  It was a basic list of literary elements: pictures, examples, and definitions that they worked in groups to complete.  This was a way for me to jump into the curriculum from the first day AND assess what they already knew. 

Finally, I gave all of my children a treat bag complete with Smarties (because that's what they are ;) ) and pencils.  

I didn't leave out my teacher friends either...I bought packs of rainbow pencils + made a cute tag to attach. Super easy and a way for me to show them how much I appreciate all that they do.  I seriously have THE BEST group of teachers on my hall.  EVERYONE is always helpful, understanding, and FUN! 

How was everyone else's first week?  I'm ready to get the ball rolling and show my students how much fun reading can be.  We've started Oedipus Rex with my honors class and "The Cask of Amontillado" with my freshmen.  Sophocles and Poe - is there really any other way to start the school year!? ;) 

I've also included all of these items in a back to school pack in my TPT store!  Check it out here: Back To School Pack