Helpful Printables, Checklists, and Resources for the First Few Days of School

Assorted-color Pencils Forming Circle on Brown Surface

This resource is the best: The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher by Harry and Rosemary Wong

Hall Pass with Quotations for Math or Science Class (Thanks to Mr. Benoit and Mr. Alvarez for sharing their hall pass templates! I simply added some quotations.)

First Week Feedback — a great way to check in with and get to know your students. (Source with context and suggestions: SaraVanderwerf)

Responsive Classroom Checklist for Organizing Your Classroom

Responsive Classroom Printables

Brain Breaks

Math Specific

Teach Dice Ornament on Table

Free stock images found via Pexel and Pixabay. No photographer name available.

Name Tags/Name Tents for Student Desks — Excellent First Day and Week of School Routine

I heard about name tents last year, during an excellent professional development training from CPM (College Preparatory Mathematics). The facilitator mentioned name tents, and this website has a worksheet/paper copy ready to use. The cool thing is that inside the name tent (really a name tag that sits on the desk) is a place for students to give you feedback. During the first week, I got some positive feedback from students which was uplifting, as well as some useful information like how a couple students couldn’t see the board very well, which allowed me to move them to the front of the room.

Here’s the link. Thank you to the awesome teacher who shared this: https://www.saravanderwerf.com/week-1-day-1-name-tents-with-feedback/

Ropes: Giant Knitting

Crochet and Knit for Math and Coral Reef Conservation

A few years ago, I learned how to crochet and knit, inspired by a lecture by mathematician Dana Taimina, and taught by friends. Through Taimina’s lecture, I learned about The Coral Reef Project. You can watch Margaret Wertheim’s TED talk here. As I love to climb, it seemed only natural to experiment with knitting and crocheting using climbing ropes.

How to Make Giant Knitting Needles

How to make giant knitting needles using tape, candle holders, and garden stakes (purchased in Boulder, CO at Greenwood Wildlife Thriftshop and McGuckin Hardware, where people were super friendly and helpful):

makinggiantknittingneedles

Thanks to Green Guru for donating used climbing ropes.