Coming in hot on the first days of school might be the single most important ingredient for a successful school year, and to make your life easy, I’m giving you my back-to-school resources for FREE! You’ve nothing to fear if you build rapport with students, set expectations, and touch base with the home base from the get-go. Download my FREE resources at your leisure and check out my TPT store for even more!
First days of school teacher resources
FREE teacher introduction slideshow
I always introduce myself to students and give them opportunities to ask questions on the first day of school. Inevitably, someone asks why I am bald, and I answer honestly. All moments are teachable, and as long as questions are appropriate, I have no problems answering. I tell them where I’m from, my favorite pastimes, and show pictures from my life throughout the years. I also introduce my techniques for gaining classroom attention and end with an inspirational story. Students love getting to know their new teachers, and this slideshow is my go-to every year.
Click here to download the Mr. Harris Introduction slideshow.
FREE classroom rules slideshow
I spend the first few weeks of school establishing my classroom norms, and having a slideshow to support this process is crucial in my book. This year, my ever-evolving Classroom Rules and Procedures slideshow is now called Expectations, Consequences, and Procedures. A passage I read in Todd Whitaker’s What Great Teachers Do Differently inspired this shift in name and pedagogy, and my classroom will not have “rules” this year.
Click here to download the Expectations, Consequences, and Procedures slideshow.
FREE back to school letter template
It’s important to touch base with families at the beginning of the year, and I do so through a simple letter. I want them to know who I am, my email address, and that they can contact me at any time. I also offer bonus points in exchange for school supplies. My letter for this year has been updated from a traditional letter to a flier. They can be customized to your liking and are both available for free below.
Click here to download the Back to School Letter template.
Click here to download the Back to School Flier template.
Final words
I’m wishing you all the best of luck in your teaching journey and hope you enjoy these FREE back to school teacher resources. As a small favor, please leave me a comment below and let me know…
Would you like more FREE resources? What kind? Do you have suggestions for how these can be improved? What will you be teaching this year?
Teach on!
