Meet Your Teacher

Most teachers spend a great deal of time at the beginning of each school year getting to know their new students and doing community building exercises so the students get to know each other.  But, how do you introduce yourself to your students?  Some students come into the new school year with a lot of anxiety about their new teacher.  What will he/she be like? Will she have  sense of humor, does she like animals...? 

Each year on the first day of school, I spend a little bit of time introducing myself to my students, letting them see me as a person and not just the new teacher that they are stuck with for the next 9 months!

I start by using the cooperative learning strategy Round Table.  They send a piece of paper around the table and brainstorm questions they have about me, what are some things they would like to know about their new teacher.

After I have given them some time to brainstorm, I show them a Power Point all about me!

As I go through the slides, I tell them a little bit about the members of my family since they will hear me tell LOTS of stories about them throughout the year!

 



I end the slideshow by talking about all of the reasons that I love third grade and giving them a few things to look forward to.

After the slideshow, I have them look at the list of questions they brainstormed and cross off all of the questions the slideshow answered.  Then I let each table ask me one questions that wasn't crossed off. 

It's a great way to introduce yourself to the students and ease some of that anxiety on the first day.  They understand that I'm not just a teacher, that I have a family and interests outside of school...that I'm a real person!  Then we get down to the business of getting to know each other!

Join us all month as we share ideas to help you get ready to go back to school!

Blessings,
Jennifer
The Blessed Teacher