[TeacherCarrie]

Just curious to know what you have your students write the first day to gauge their writing skills. Looking for an idea.

The funny thing is, I do not even remember what I had them write about last year b/c I did not write it down. I guess I thought I would remember. Oops.

TIA!

[rocket1]

http://www.proteacher.net/discussion...ad.php?t=85488

[histreefbook]

Start reading a book together. I would suggest Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. The first "prompt" should be about Mrs. Frisby. But, if you don't remember what you had them write about last year........ ooops indeed. I teach at a small school. Only one classroom per grade level. My students have all passed that dratted test every year. I hate it. Just ask them to write for you. Don't criticise at first. Teach all of the figuarative language skills you can. Write lots of poetry and
together. Tell stories. They will get it eventually. Use the peer tutoring model for editing. I have a handout which I give to teahchers in my workshop. If you want one...email me at tajlongsuddenlink.net.

[teachermlb]

I read my students the book First Day Jitters. It's a cute picture book where someone is very scared to go to a new school and it turns out to be the teacher instead of a student. Even my middle school kids love listening to picture books.

I tell them what gives me "jitters" on the first day of school. Then I have them write me a paragraph on their first day jitters. I give them no instructions on how to write the paragraph - they just write. This way I can see if they indent, capitalize, etc.

It's a good judge of their abilities.

[maggiesmom]

Somewhere on this site there was a plan using First Day Jitters and Mr Ouchy's First Day. There was an entire plan with it. I downloaded it and ordered the books. I should bookmark these spots but I didn't. Maybe somebody on the network will remember where it is. It was a great plan!

[TeacherCarrie]

Since I read First Day Jitters anyway, I was thinking that would be good to have them write about.

I am not really looking for anything on teaching writing through the year, just a great first day idea (not necessarily a prompt...should have worded that better). I just want to gauge their writing in a journal type format...no correcting it or anything.

Thanks for the link and the ideas so far!

This is my 4th year that I am coming into. I finally remembered (it's been a crazy summer of me doing all sorts of planning) that I always have them write about how they felt before the first day of school. Many times they write about how nervous they were and then they got here and saw me and realized it was not so bad. I really like to read what they write about...but thought it might be neat to try a new prompt.

[sportwinds]

I wish you'd asked this earlier in the summer!!!! I had forgotten about planning to do this!
Last year a colleague of mine did a great assignment: she collected newspaper articles over the summer - way more than one per student so they'd be able to choose -and had the kids summarize the story. It became a wonderful bulletin board and intro into current events.

[SusanTeach]

No matter what grade I teach, I always have my students write a letter to me on the first day of school. It's wonderful for letting me see their writing skills. Since you teach 5th grade, tell them something like, "Write a letter to me telling about yourself. Make sure you have at least a paragraph, write it in letter format, and sign your name in cursive." (or whatever skills you want them to show). That way you can see how much they understand (how to write a letter, what a paragraph is, etc...).

[Volleyann]

I usually have them write a friendly letter to me so that they can introduce themselves. That also gives me a writing sample.

[bparsons]

I usually start with a letter to me to tell me about themselves. I leave a letter from me on their desks so they have some questions to answer and can copy my format.

I also read aloud First Day Jitters.

[Groovy Gal]

That's what my quick write begins with and the students need to complete it. They are asked to write the bad news as well as the good stuff.

I like the post that said "what a good teacher is" the first day and "student" the second on a different thread.

[trexteach]

In the past:
*What goals they'd like to set for themselves for the new school year.
*What makes a good teacher.

This year:
*The top ten things they want me to know about them as a person and a learner.

[imafive]

http://www.charlesbridge.com/client/...ivityGuide.pdf
Activities for First Day Jitters

writing about first day in school