Sweet 'N' Sauer Firsties

  • Sweet 'N' Sauer Firsties
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Course
  • Freebies
  • Contact

Why I Don’t Dig Into Curriculum for the First Few Weeks of School

The first few weeks of school are crucial for SO many reasons. There are a lot of important things that need to happen starting the moment you meet students. Do you know what’s not a top priority though? Curriculum. Are you shocked? In this post, you will learn about why I hold off on curriculum and what I do instead. 

Why I Don't Dig into the Curriculum During the First Weeks of School

First Week Priorities

If I don’t dive right into curriculum, what am I doing? Below you’ll find a list of my top priorities during those first crucial weeks of school with students. 

Building Relationships

Making Connections

Teaching Routines and Procedures

Building a Social Emotional Foundation 

Helping Students Feel Welcomed and Loved

During those first couple weeks, our class spends A LOT of time setting up our classroom norms and expectations of what we want our classroom to be like. We begin to get used to the idea of how we are a FAMILY. One way we strengthen this idea is by reading Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen. We do activities that align with this book to help us create our family foundations. Having your classroom be a welcoming family doesn’t just happen, it takes A LOT of work up front to set it up for success for the rest of the year together, but it’s so worth it to do that work. 

Building Relationships and Making Connections

In my opinion, this is one of the most important things you will spend your time on at the beginning of the year. This is how you will get that class family vibe. You’ll set the foundation and expectations on how students will respect you and all their peers. How do you make this happen? With a little bit of team building, some connection circles, and important social emotional topics, you will have that amazing tight knit community of learners who thrive. 

This is the backbone of your classroom. It is one of the most important tools with classroom management. Want more ideas on how to build this piece? Check out THIS post FULL of great team building, relationship building, and connecting ideas! 

Teaching ALL the Things

One of the most helpful hacks I’ve learned when teaching expectations is to teach students exactly what it looks like and sounds like for EVERY procedure. This lets them know precisely what is expected and don’t be afraid to hold your students to a high standard. When you practice, you make sure that EVERY SINGLE STUDENT is following the expectation. That way your year is a BREEZE with students, because they know EXACTLY what it looks and sounds like when they are totally on point. 

Spending time creating rules WITH students, teaching ALL those routines and procedures, and of course setting high expectations for EVERY student to follow, is a recipe for success. Below you’ll find slides to help students learn about those procedures and of course practice, practice, practice! Creating anchor charts with student images is another great tool that helps students see exactly what they should be doing and motivates them to continue working hard to meet those expectations! 

editable procedure posters

editable classroom procedure posters

Editable Procedure Posters and Slides

Go Slow to Go Fast

One of my favorite quotes I’ve ever learned during my teaching career is, “Go slow to go fast” and it means just that. Take your time building those expectations and spending ample time to practice, practice, and more practice. If you dedicate the first few weeks to slowly introducing students to ALL the routines and expectations for every procedure, the rest of your year will fly by because students will know EXACTLY what to do. 

I can hear some of you saying, “ Yeah but I don’t have time for that, I have a ton of curriculum to cover.” Or “My admin wants me to start teaching curriculum ASAP.” 

I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to STOP those thoughts, take a deep breath, close the door, and do what’s best for you and your students. It may be challenging to be that bold but it WILL pay off. I have been told by many principals that my class runs like a well oiled machine and sometimes it even looks like I’m not even in the room. This isn’t a magic trick, it’s simply taking A LOT of time at the beginning of the year to set these practices up. So no matter how much curriculum there is, or what your admin is saying, taking this time is important and makes a world of difference for the ENTIRE YEAR. Let me help make it easy with the Teaching Timeline that will help prep starting from a month before school begins through the first six weeks of school. Grab yours below!

beginning of the year teaching timeline checklist freebie

Love this FREE resource?

Sign up now and get exclusive access to this freebie and many more in the continuously growing freebie library!

Social Emotional Foundation

Just like we need to spend time teaching rules and routines, we also need to lay a solid foundation for important social emotional topics in the classroom from day one. These topics include things like how to be a good friend, how to solve problems, and how to calm down when emotions feel so big. These will also serve as the backbone of your classroom and how to help your classroom almost run itself. So how do we get these up and running? Check out this post HERE as well as the GROWING Social Emotional Bundle below!

social emotional growing bundle

Social Emotional GROWING Bundle

Make Back to School a BREEZE

Some of my favorite tools to help make the first weeks of school a BREEZE are my survival guide and first week of school kit! The Beginning of the Year Survival Guide is packed with thought provoking questions to make a back to school plan for the first six weeks of school. It breaks down the planning process into the ‘Big Three’, designing your classroom setup, outlining ideas for your classroom community, and of course deep diving into your classroom management piece. You can grab this newly published book HERE, or if you prefer a more interactive version, check out the Building a Student Centered Classroom course found HERE! 

Beginning of the Year Teacher Survival Guide

The first week of school kit is another resource that is sure to make back to school a breeze! During this week I tend to over plan so that there is NEVER down time and students are focused on learning about ALL the things that will make our classroom into what it will be. But YOU don’t have to do the overplanning because I’ve already done it for you!. With the First Week MEGA Bundle, you will have EVERYTHING you need so that you can have fun and get to know your students without the stress and anxiety. We’re talking jam packed lesson plans, engaging activities, and procedures to teach all in one convenient bundle for you to grab, print, and go. Check it out HERE!

editable first week of school lesson plans and activities

First Week of School Mega Kit Bundle

I really hope you enjoyed learning about how to focus some of your energy for back to school during those first few weeks of school! Dash over to my store and grab the First Week Kit to help support ALL your needs. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list! Not only will you get the most up to date tips, tricks, and classroom projects… and of course more fun FREEBIES including Back to School Teaching Timeline FREEBIE! You will also have exclusive access to tons of digital how-to videos! If you would like to learn about this and other things happening in my classroom follow me  @sweetnsauerfirsties on Instagram.

To follow me on TPT and get all the latest updates on HALF OFF new products, click HERE!

sweetnsauerfirsties

Love these ideas but don’t want to lose them? Don’t forget it, PIN it below!

Spread the Love

10
Shares

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

«
»

Back to School, Classroom Community, Classroom Management 0

Newsletter

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe via Email

About This Site

A fun place to be apart of the educational journey. Full of all things teaching! The good, the bad, and even the ugly. Join my experiences and subscribe to my email list to get the most up to date tips and tricks.

Search

Categories

Latest on Instagram

It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! 🥳 Grab thi It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! 🥳

Grab this adorable and no prep color by code activity.

It’s an easy and engaging QUIET activity that students can enjoy as morning work, a time filler, fast finisher, or even as homework!

Grab your FREEBIE now with the link on my profile or drop a 🤩 and I’ll share the link!

When is your 100th day? Let us know below! ⬇️
•
•
•
•
#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers
#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teacherhacks
 #numbersense #makelearningfun #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #colorbycode #teachershare #teacherinspiration  #100thday #100thdayofschool
Y’all I am SO in love with this new dress from @ Y’all I am SO in love with this new dress from @shop_rbc!!

It’s cute and even more… It’s comfortable!! 

I will definitely be getting more dresses from their shop and they have adorable teacher tees too. Check out all the beautiful items now @shop_rbc! 😍

Have you gotten one of their pieces before? Let us know below! ⬇️ 
•
•
•
•
#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers
#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teacherhacks
 #teacherssupportteachers #teachingtips #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teacherstyle #teachershare #teacherinspiration  #teacheroutfit #teacherootd #teacheroutfits
Bahahah accurate! 🤣 • • • • #elementar Bahahah accurate! 🤣
•
•
•
•

#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers
#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teacherhacks
 #teacherquotes #teachingtips #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teacherhumor #teachershare #teacherinspiration  #teachermemes #teacherfunny #classroommanagement
Have you ever tried using stations for the 100th d Have you ever tried using stations for the 100th day of school?!

They can help make what could be a chaotic and overwhelming day really fun and well planned out. 

There are so many engaging station ideas that are easy and low prep like 

🌟Reading 100 books
🌟 Writing 100 words we know
🌟 Building with a 100 items
🌟 And so many more! Swipe left to see some examples!

Not only do the students love every second but it gives you more time to go around and be with each group of kiddos as they go through the stations and reflect on all their great learning in the first 100 days of school!

Learn more now with the link on my profile or drop a 🤩 and I’ll share the link!

Have you ever tried stations for the 100th day? Let us know below! ⬇️ 
•
•
•
•
#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers
#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #kindergarten #100thday 
 #igconnect4edu #100thdayofschool #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teacherhacks #classroomfun #makelearningfun #classroommanagement #classroomcommunity
Have you tried would you rather with students?! I Have you tried would you rather with students?!

It’s an easy, engaging, and NO PREP activity for the 100th day. 

You can easily build in movement by having students jump for answers or run to a side of the room for their choice. 

This is a great activity that can be used as a morning meeting activity or as a timer filler throughout the day. 

The students LOVE the 100th day themed prompts and have a BLAST!

Learn more about this and other easy and engaging 100th day activities with the link on my profile or drop a 🥳 and I’ll share the link!

Thanks for capturing this @mrs.rappsclass 😍
•
•
•
•
#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers
#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teacherhacks
 #teacherideas #teachingtips #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teachershare #classroomcommunity #teacherinspiration #makelearningfun #100thdayofschool #100thday
This though. ❤️ • • • • #elementarytea This though. ❤️
•
•
•
•
#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers #teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachtoo #igconnect4edu #teachingideas #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #primaryteaching #teacherblogger #teachermomlife #teachermom #teachershare #teacherquotes #kindergarten
Want an easy and super engaging activity for the 1 Want an easy and super engaging activity for the 100th day?!

Have students practice recognizing,  writing numbers, and seeing patterns within 120 with a pocket chart seek and find game. 

There’s a special hidden picture students have to work together to find. (Swipe left to see) they LOVE it and get great practice!

This could easily be a whole class activity or a 100th day station.

Learn more about this and other easy and engaging 100th day activities with the link on my profile. You can also drop a 🤩 and I’ll share the link with you! 
•
•
•
•

#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers
#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #kindergarten #playbasedlearning 
 #igconnect4edu #numbersense #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #mathcenters #placevalue #makelearningfun #100thday #100thdayofschool
We are so in love with these adorable winter theme We are so in love with these adorable winter themed books from @scholasticbookclubs! 

They both have a wonderful story and a great message for children. 

The Littlest Yak learns being small really is helpful and that everyone has important skills that can be used in almost any situation. 

Snowball searches everywhere for a friend to have and finds one much closer than he thought! 😉

Check out these adorable books now @scholasticbookclubs! 😍
•
•
•
•

#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers
#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teachershare 
 #igconnect4edu #socialskills #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #sbcinsiders #classroomfun #readaloud #scholastic #scholasticbooks
Bahaha I am definitely teacher number 2! 😂 Whi Bahaha I am definitely teacher number 2! 😂

Which are you?!
•
•
•
•

#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers
#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teachingtips 
 #igconnect4edu #teacherssupportteachers #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teachershare #teachermemes #teacherhumor #teacherfunny #teacherquotes

Latest on Facebook

Lindsay Sauer

55 minutes ago

Lindsay Sauer
Well this should be fun! 😝 What is something you say 2451 times a day as a teacher? Let us know below! ⬇️••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #iteachtoo #igconnect4edu #teacherfunny #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teachergram #teachershare #teacherquotes #teacherhumor #teacherfun #teacherweekend ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Lindsay Sauer

15 hours ago

Lindsay Sauer
It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! 🥳Grab this adorable and no prep color by code activity.It’s an easy and engaging QUIET activity that students can enjoy as morning work, a time filler, fast finisher, or even as homework!Grab your FREEBIE now with the link on my profile or drop a 🤩 and I’ll share the link!When is your 100th day? Let us know below! ⬇️••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teacherhacks #numbersense #makelearningfun #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #colorbycode #teachershare #teacherinspiration #100thday #100thdayofschool ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Lindsay Sauer

1 day ago

Lindsay Sauer
Bahahah accurate! 🤣••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teacherhacks #teacherquotes #teachingtips #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teacherhumor #teachershare #teacherinspiration #teachermemes #teacherfunny #classroommanagement ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Lindsay Sauer

2 days ago

Lindsay Sauer
Have you tried would you rather with students?!It’s an easy, engaging, and NO PREP activity for the 100th day. You can easily build in movement by having students jump for answers or run to a side of the room for their choice. This is a great activity that can be used as a morning meeting activity or as a timer filler throughout the day. The students LOVE the 100th day themed prompts and have a BLAST!Learn more about this and other easy and engaging 100th day activities with the link on my profile or drop a 🥳 and I’ll share the link!Thanks for capturing this @mrs.rappsclass 😍••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teacherhacks #teacherideas #teachingtips #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teachershare #classroomcommunity #teacherinspiration #makelearningfun #100thdayofschool #100thday ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Lindsay Sauer

2 days ago

Lindsay Sauer
This though. ❤️••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers #teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachtoo #igconnect4edu #teachingideas #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #primaryteaching #teacherblogger #teachermomlife #teachermom #teachershare #teacherquotes #kindergarten ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Latest on Pinterest

  • Have you been looking for end of year classroom community activities? These classroom community building activities are perfect for your K-2 classroom! I love creating an end of year anchor chart so students can write down their favorite memories of first grade. K-2 students will love the balloon bulletin board countdown with themes. Early elementary students enjoy creating a reflection writing craft, first grade end of year memories, would you rather end of school year game, and much more!
  • If you need some graphing activities for your K-2 classroom, I’ve got some fantastic ideas for you! I love using the CRA Math Model to help with concrete ideas and engagement in math. One of my favorite graphing lessons in first grade is to do real data collection activities for kids. These graphing lessons are perfect to use in math whole group lessons, math center activities, math independent activities, morning work, fast finishers, and more!
  • Do you hear indoor recess and get nervous? Today, I’m sharing my best teacher tips and tricks! These indoor recess ideas in elementary are easy things like GoNoodle brain break or hands on activities. You can easily get play dough activities, pattern blocks activities, or drawing for kids. Don’t forget your childhood favorite games too! Elementary students love freeze dance game for kids, Simon Says game, four corners game, Heads Up 7 Up game, and more. Set your classroom expectations too!
  • In your early elementary classroom, do you need classroom management strategies? It’s never too late for classroom management ideas to be implemented. I’m sharing classroom management hacks in early elementary. One basic classroom management idea is to review your rules. Shake it up with whole class rewards. Don’t forget kind classroom activities. Fun learning activities for kids can really help. Learn more about my whole group, small group lessons, and center ideas!
  • Are you looking for ways to teach kindness to kids in the classroom? Today, I’m sharing my favorite teacher tips on helping your early elementary students understand kindness in the classroom. Some of my favorite kindness activities for kids is setting expectations and modeling kindness. We love reading, How Full Is Your Bucket? By Tom Rath and more. It’s important to role play ideas for kids in the classroom. Kindness anchor charts are great to create during whole group and small group lessons.
  • Do you hear indoor recess and get nervous? Today, I’m sharing my best teacher tips and tricks! These indoor recess ideas in elementary are easy things like GoNoodle brain break or hands on activities. You can easily get play dough activities, pattern blocks activities, or drawing for kids. Don’t forget your childhood favorite games too! Elementary students love freeze dance game for kids, Simon Says game, four corners game, Heads Up 7 Up game, and more. Set your classroom expectations too!
  • Are you looking for ways to teach kindness to kids in the classroom? Today, I’m sharing my favorite teacher tips on helping your early elementary students understand kindness in the classroom. Some of my favorite kindness activities for kids is setting expectations and modeling kindness. We love reading, How Full Is Your Bucket? By Tom Rath and more. It’s important to role play ideas for kids in the classroom. Kindness anchor charts are great to create during whole group and small group lessons.
  • Do you need some ideas about teaching money to your first grade students? Check out my favorite teaching tips on money for kids. First, have your students watch some BrainPop Jr. videos and books about money for kids. Money anchor charts are fantastic to use during math whole group to better K-2 students' understanding. The CRA Math Model is perfect for understanding money for kids. I also share my favorite math centers like money puzzles, money bingo, and math money games!
  • Have you been looking for end of year classroom community activities? These classroom community building activities are perfect for your K-2 classroom! I love creating an end of year anchor chart so students can write down their favorite memories of first grade. K-2 students will love the balloon bulletin board countdown with themes. Early elementary students enjoy creating a reflection writing craft, first grade end of year memories, would you rather end of school year game, and much more!

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

 

Loading Comments...