Your students are walking into your newly decorated classroom. They are nervous, and aren't sure what to do. You probably don't know their names yet. How will you fill the day? How will you set the tone? It's a crucial day, a make-it-or-break-it kind of week.
I've had nineteen of those first weeks, so I thought I'd share some tips about using names and numbers.
Have Their Names Visible
First and most important, make certain that your students see their names in the room. This will make them feel more welcome than a huge "Welcome" sign. Have a colorful name sign taped to every desk. This will also guide them to where they should go once they've entered.
Organize with Numbers
Assign each of the students a number that they will remember and use throughout the year. Here is how. The students' numbers come from their place in the alphabetical order of the roster. Put it on their desks next to their names. Put the numbers on their coat hooks or cubbies if you can't fit their names there.
Put the numbers on art caddies, book boxes, pens, or anything in the classroom that's shared from year to year and then you won't have to relabel it all. Put the numbers on the carpet to make the place for each student to sit.
Teach your students to write their numbers on the papers and tests you will be collecting to grade. This will make it so easy for you to put the papers in alphabetical order and thus make it easier to enter the grades in the computer.
Three more ways to use numbers.
For orderly lining up, have the numbers taped to the floor about one foot apart where the line should be. During the first week of school, teach the kids to stand on their number when lining up. Practice this routine.
For lockdown drills, I have numbers taped to the walls about two feet off the floor. When it's time to quickly get into a safe spot, my students know exactly where to go. There's no hesitation or tussling.
When dismissing the students for lunch, recess, at the end of the day, etc., you can use the numbers for a mini math lesson. For example, call "Even numbers!" Then students with even numbers are dismissed. Vary it according to what students are learning. For instance, you might call "Prime numbers!" or "Multiples of four!"
In conclusion, names and numbers will make the students feel welcome, will help you and your students feel organized, and will facilitate classroom routines.
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