One of my favorite beginning of the year activities was discussing how we would treat each other in our classroom (and how we would treat others who enter our classroom). Unfortunately I don't have a picture of one of our anchor charts, but I found this one. With 5th graders, I had them write ideas on sticky notes and put this on the poster. How do you help establish non-negotiables in your classroom at the start of the year?

What are some of your first day “must have” lessons? How do you introduce your routines and procedures to your students?

What is the one thing you wish you knew as a first year teacher?

I wish I knew that it was okay to be firm and consistent with my students (classroom management 101!). Start the year by being firm and consistent with your students in your decision making, classroom expectations, etc., and that will pay you back all year long!

How do you organize your classroom library in your Kindergarten classroom? Do you sort books in bins by topic or some other way? What are your most popular titles?

Do you use desk pets? How do you organize them and how do your students earn them?