Back to School Curriculum Must Haves

Hello! I am continuing with the our Back to School in a Flash Link up with some of my curriculum favorites!! Up first, is The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown. I use the book to help frame the purpose of the activities we will engage in throughout the first two weeks.

I use this book to frame one of my beginning of the year activities that introduces students to me, each other, the rules, and procedures for the year. There are activities in the book that all end with the frame, “The important thing about _________________is…But the most important thing about __________________ is.”  As a ELA teacher I love this because it also gives students a chance to their summarizing juices flowing!  The very first page is a reading on malleable intelligence. There are many different emotions, feelings, and changes that happen during the middle years that I like to ground my students in a dynamic mindframe AKA malleable intelligence AKA growth mindset. As a class we believe that if we put for a strong effort that we will continuously get better.  The other activities include a student puzzle, get to know your teacher, all about the year, and student interviews.

Last, but not least, this quote bundle is currently on wish list. If you don’t know the fabulous Blair Turner I suggest you go visit her blog and TPT store (after you link up of course). I don’t have a “theme” for my classroom this year, but I know I want it to be a place that is overflowing with hope and that it embodies that habits we reinforce at my school (drive, personal growth, empathy, curiosity, gratitude, teamwork). I live close to an IKEA (as in 5 mins away) so I envision creating a quote “collage” wall with these.

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