First Day of School

I was reading The First Days of School and have brainstormed a potential first day of school. I read a book over Spring Break which I purchased in Boston. I would better reference this book, but I do not currently remember the title. Anyway, in this book, the teacher had created a way for his students to learn the value of money. He had several jobs in the classroom and had each of his students fill out applications for the jobs. When the student did their job, they received money weekly which match the value of their job. These student then had to use their money to rent their seats in the classroom. This way they had some sort of choice in seat. There were also several other purchases which could be made, and students used this system to work businesses such as real estate, loans and credit cards. I really enjoyed this mini-society which was create for the students and all the learning which was going on that the students had control over.

Back to the first day of school, I suggest that the students and parents receive information over the summer about their classroom, teacher and school. The students will be asked to come the first day of school presentable as if trying to get a job. Then the first day of school becomes an open house for the classroom. It is shown as a sort of business. The students are given brochures about the year describing classroom and school goals, including a vision, mission statement, colors and pictures, current 'employees' teachers, the 'board' principal, etc and investors 'parents', and finally a list of jobs that the classroom 'company' will be hiring for. There will be a station for job descriptions, a bright welcome atmosphere and a refreshments table. The room would not have a blackboard, bunch of desk atmostphere, but rather one of a small business. Parents would be there representing the classroom and the principal/vice principal would come in to speak. After a bit of mingling in the classroom, a presentation would be lead by the teacher, introducing the year and classroom to the students. This presentation would be followed by students placed in groupls to discussed some available questions about the school year and available jobs. Students would then have the opportunity to ask the teacher and others questions.

After lunch/recess, the classroom would now be arranged in separated seating and students would sit down to apply for jobs, writing information and essays telling the teacher why he or she is best for the job and what the students want out of the year and classroom 'company'. The day would finish will active, chosen learning of reading and exploring given activities, such as projects, art, etc.

The rest of the week would follor with clasroom activities allowing the teacher the opportunity to start the curriculum and get to know the students, but between all the work, students would be interviewed for their jobs. There would also be plenty of group work within this week so that students are given the chance to get to know each other.

The next week, students are given their positions and explain the classroom money system further, i.e. what they will be able to use their money for. There would also be time spent discussing the students' and teacher's ideal classroom. Then this classroom would be created. The students now have a great deal of investment in the classroom, both physical from creating it and doing their jobs within it, and non-physical from discussing what they want out of their year and how they want to learn.