readilearn: Establishing a supportive classroom environment from day one – Readilearn

establishing a supportive classroom environment from the first day of school in early childhood classrooms

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Early childhood education, Education, Literacy education, Mathematics, Teaching resources, Traditional schooling

Establishing a supportive classroom environment from day one builds a strong foundation of positive relationships and attitudes to school and learning. It is important to begin the year as you wish it to continue, and a welcoming classroom helps children and families feel valued. Having an organised classroom is just a part of it.

Many existing readilearn resources support the establishment of a supportive classroom environment.

The free resource Getting ready for the first day with Busy Bee resources lists some of the available resources and suggestions for using them; including:

busy Bees welcome to first day of school package

These resources are available to download individually, or as a collection in the zip folder Busy Bee – Welcome resources for Day one.

In many of the schools in which I have worked, children are expected to bring their own set of supplies – books, pencils, scissors, glue, paint shirts, even tissues. I recognise that not all schools have this requirement, so ignore any suggestions that are not relevant to your situation.

Whether children are required to bring their own supplies or not, it is useful to have spares

Source: readilearn: Establishing a supportive classroom environment from day one – Readilearn

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Comments

20 responses to “readilearn: Establishing a supportive classroom environment from day one – Readilearn”

January 21, 2018

oldhouseintheshires

Lovely ideas Norah! I will be checking some of these out. X

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1. January 22, 2018
  
  Norah
  
  Thank you, Sophie. Enjoy!
  
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January 11, 2018

Mabel Kwong

It is such an interesting initiative you proposed, and readilearn is also such an informative blog with so many suggestions on making the classroom such a supportive environment. True, some schools provide supplies, some don’t. I guess with schools that don’t, as you mentioned the children can bring their own or they can share supplies all round or the school can come up with creative ways to accommodate 🙂

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1. January 14, 2018
  
  Norah
  
  Great suggestions there, Mabel. Thank you.
  When I was teaching in the 80s, the department supplied exercise books and pencils for children to use. It was wonderful. It would probably surprise most people how much teachers supply from their own pocket.
  
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January 11, 2018

Bob

Hello Norah! Thank you for the interesting post. I want to talk about my experience using classroom management program NetControl 2 (https://www.netcontrol2.com). I use this program to test students’ knowledge and to monitor their knowledge.

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January 9, 2018

reocochran

Developing rapport with parents is so valuable and sending home class activity summaries helped my (class) parents to expand lessons or send in something which was applicable to the lessons. . .
Spare supplies is a kind thing to provide without comment. I never requested extras or followed up with embarrassing requests to students or parents.
You have such a lovely calm presence, Norah. This builds bridges from class to home and back! 💕 📚

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1. January 10, 2018
  
  Norah
  
  It sounds like we have a lot in common in the ways we support students and involve parents, Robin. It’s great to meet another like-minded teacher. 🙂
  
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  1. January 10, 2018
    
    reocochran
    
    I was a teacher of students but now, a warehouse worker with 7 grandchildren! Life is so interesting, I don’t miss my teaching too much. Thanks for saying this, Norah. 🙂
    
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    1. January 10, 2018
      
      Norah
      
      Life is interesting and full of change. We need to enjoy each new chapter. Seven grandchildren would bring much joy! Enjoy!
      
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January 8, 2018

roughwighting

Excellent resources, Norah. The kids who had you as a teacher were so fortunate! By the way, hope things have ‘cooled down’ there a bit! xo

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1. January 10, 2018
  
  Norah
  
  Thank you, Pam. I was fortunate to have the privilege of walking alongside so many little ones, sharing their learning journeys. What could be more fun than spending the day with six-year-olds?
  Sadly, it hasn’t cooled down at all. Saw on the news tonight that 2017 was the hottest year ever for Queensland. Hub says, it’s summer, what do you expect?
  
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  1. January 11, 2018
    
    roughwighting
    
    You hub sounds like my guy, who looks at the thermometer with glee when it reaches below 0 and says, “it’s winter!.” Urrrgh. Blowing you over some cold air. 🙂
    
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    1. January 11, 2018
      
      Norah
      
      Thanks, Pam. We could do with some cooling down. There’s definitely been some big changes in the weather everywhere in recent months – scary stuff.
      
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January 6, 2018

Christy B

It’s great that you included a section on encouraging children to reflect on the projects they did in the classroom when they get home. I always liked talking about my creations with my parents 🙂

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1. January 6, 2018
  
  Norah
  
  I think that discussion is so important, Christy, and it’s useful for parents to ask insightful questions. If they simply ask, “What did you do today?” many children will shrug and respond, “Nothing”.
  
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January 5, 2018

Jennie

Well said, and so important.

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1. January 6, 2018
  
  Norah
  
  Thank you, Jennie. 🙂
  
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  1. January 6, 2018
    
    Jennie
    
    You are welcome, Norah. 🙂
    
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January 5, 2018

robinettercleave

Great ideas, Norah! I would love to be a student in your class on the 22nd!!! (If you had one!)

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1. January 5, 2018
  
  Norah
  
  Thanks, Robin. I’d so love to be preparing these things for a class again too. (I’m not sure if you’d fit in the desks though. 🙂 )
  
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