When I first started my teaching career, I felt a loss at what to do with the first weeks of school. I had ideas and advice from other teachers, but you really don’t know what to expect those first few weeks until you experience them. And honestly, no matter how far you get into your career, the first few weeks can be a whirlwind! With the right activities and routines, you can set the stage for a successful school year. It’s all about creating a welcoming environment, building strong relationships, and establishing clear expectations from the get-go. If you are a new middle school teacher then keep reading because this post is for you.
Today, we are exploring some activities and routines to help you hit the ground running and make those first weeks manageable and enjoyable for you and your students. Think of today’s post as a new middle school teacher’s guide to starting the new year!
Planning the First Weeks of School as a New Middle School Teacher is Essential
Let’s get real for a moment. The first weeks of school are crucial for setting the tone for the rest of the year. Imagine stepping into a classroom where everything is chaotic and uncertain. As a teacher or student, this is not a fun way to start the year. That’s why having a solid plan for those initial weeks is so important!
Planning helps you feel more confident and less stressed. The more prepared you are, the more you can focus on connecting with your students and building those relationships. When your students see that you have a plan, it gives them a sense of security and structure. They know what to expect, and that consistency helps them feel safe and ready to learn.
Planning also allows you to establish your classroom routines and expectations from day one. You’re not just teaching content. Teaching would be way easier if that was our only job. You’re teaching your students how to be successful in your classroom. Whether it’s how to prepare for class, what to do when they enter the room, or how to handle group work, these routines are the backbone of a well-managed classroom.
We can’t forget about the importance of setting academic goals. The first weeks are a great time to introduce students to your teaching style and the types of activities they’ll be doing. It’s your chance to spark their curiosity and get them excited about what they’ll be learning.
So, take the time to plan out those first few weeks. It’s an investment that will pay off all year long. You’ll thank yourself later, and your students will thrive in a structured, positive environment.
What to Know as a New Middle School Teacher
So, now that we’ve chatted about the importance of relationships and setting the right tone, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what you need to know as a new middle school teacher. Having a solid foundation will make those first few weeks smoother. I’ve put together some detailed blog posts that cover engaging activities and routines you can introduce to your class. Make sure to explore each of these invaluable resources that will set you up for success!
1. Teaching Routines
Classroom Routines During the First Week of School
Time to talk routines! In my post, Teaching Classroom Routines the First Week of School, I have a goldmine for anyone stepping into a middle school classroom for the first time or the tenth time. I break down exactly how to introduce and reinforce those essential routines that will keep your classroom running smoothly all year long. Routines are your friends, and well-practiced routines are your best friends. They create a sense of order and predictability that our students crave, especially in the often chaotic middle school environment.
I offer practical tips and suggestions on how to teach routines from the moment your students walk through the door. It covers everything from morning procedures to transitions between activities, ensuring you’ve got all your bases covered. When I first started out, I didn’t t emphasize the simple routines. I quickly learned that I need to model and practice even the smallest routine. Routines like entering the classroom and beginning a warm-up activity right away.
By following the advice in this post, you’ll be setting yourself and your students up for success. Clear routines minimize disruptions and maximize learning time, which is exactly what we want. Plus, when our students know what’s expected of them, they feel more confident and capable.
Middle School Classroom Routines to Start Class
You know how we get one first impression? Starting each class is like that because we have a brief chance to set the tone for the class as soon as our students walk in. I wrote Middle School Classroom Routines to Begin Class to share highlights of several key routines that you can implement from day one. One of my favorites is having a bellringer task for them to work on as they enter class and sign in. It helps them transition from the hallway hustle to a focused learning environment. These bellringers can be a variety of activities, like quick writes, problem-solving tasks, or spiral reviews.
In this post, I continue to stress the importance of consistency. By practicing these routines regularly, your students will know exactly what to do and when to do it. This reduces downtime and keeps the class moving smoothly. I also share some useful tips on how to reinforce these routines, such as using visual reminders and positive reinforcement.
What I love about this post is that it’s not just about the routines themselves. It’s also about how to teach and reinforce them effectively. Modeling the routines and providing students with opportunities to practice them is the key to these routines sticking. They become second nature.
Middle School Classroom Routines to End Class
Wrapping up a class effectively is just as important as starting it right. The Middle School Classroom Routines to End Class is a treasure trove of tips for ending your class on a high note. It covers a variety of routines that can help you ensure your students leave the classroom with a clear understanding of what they’ve learned and what they need to do next.
One key routine I highlight in the post is the exit ticket. This is a quick, formative assessment that your students complete before they leave. It’s a fantastic way to gauge their understanding of the lesson and gather feedback on what might need more clarification. Plus, it gives your students a sense of closure and accomplishment.
Another great routine I mention to keep in mind is preparation for the next class. I always leave a few minutes at the end of class to encourage my students to organize their materials. We go over and jot down homework assignments. Then, ensure they have everything they need for their next class. This helps them stay organized but also reduces the chaotic rush that often happens at the end of the period.
The end of your class period does not need to look like a scene out of a movie where there are papers in the air flying around, chairs toppling over, and a stampede to the door. As a new middle school teacher, you are able to bring a smooth, orderly end to each of your classes. Using these routines helps manage time effectively and ensure that your students leave the room feeling prepared and informed.
2. Get to Know You Activities
First Day of Math Class Activity
Now, let’s focus on the other part of setting the tone, which is getting to know our students! First Day of Math Class Activity: Pentomino Exploration introduces a fantastic activity called Pentomino Exploration that’s perfect for getting your students excited about math right from the start. Pentominoes are geometric shapes made up of five squares, and they’re great for hands-on learning.
Each group of students gets a set of pentominoes and is tasked with the simple idea of fitting all the pentominoes onto the given grid with no gaps or overlaps. This activity encourages critical thinking, spatial awareness, communication, and problem-solving skills. Plus, it’s a lot of fun! I go into detailed instructions in the post to help you guide your students through the exploration.
What I love about this activity is that it’s both educational and engaging. It’s a great way to break the ice and get your students interacting with each other while diving into some math concepts. By starting the year with a hands-on activity like this, you’re setting a positive tone and showing your students that math can be exciting and enjoyable.
Engaging Icebreakers to Help Middle Schoolers Make Friends
I always want to break the ice as soon as possible with my middle school students to make them comfortable with each other and with me. I use the icebreakers in Engaging Icebreakers for Middle School because they are a great way to break down some of the walls our middle schoolers often put up and get them excited about their learning. They help them feel more at ease, make new friends, and set the stage for a positive and engaging classroom environment.
This post is packed with fun and engaging icebreakers that are perfect for the first days of school. One activity I tend to always start with because it is more familiar is “Two Truths and a Lie”. It’s a simple yet effective game that helps our students learn about each other in a fun and relaxed setting.
To play, each student takes a turn sharing three statements about themselves, which are two truths and one lie. The rest of the class then guesses which statement is the lie. This activity helps students get to know each other but also encourages them to think critically and pay attention to details.
Starting your school year with engaging icebreakers sets a positive tone and helps students feel more comfortable and connected. If you’re looking for a fun way to kick off your school year and build strong relationships from the get-go, give this blog post a read and try out some of these icebreakers.
7 Middle School Icebreakers for the Start of the Year
The first week of the school year is always a mix of excitement and a bit of sadness that summer is over. In 7 Middle School Icebreakers for the Start of the Year, I share even more icebreakers that are effective in creating a sense of community. Each year, I see how these icebreakers help to ease the transition into a new school or new grade level. A bonus is that when our students feel comfortable, they’re more likely to participate and engage in lessons.
One icebreaker from the post is the M&M Game and Toilet Paper Game. The M&M Game is a sweet way to break the ice! Each student receives a few M&Ms, with each color representing a different question they need to answer about themselves. They take turns sharing their answers based on the colors they have. This is a fun way to learn interesting and unique things about each other. I know that in some schools, candy is not a preferred option, so I play this game with toilet paper. It’s the same concept, but let them take as many squares of the toilet as they want, without telling them what it’s for. Once everyone has their squares, I reveal that each square represents a fact they need to share about themselves.
What I love about this post is that it emphasizes how icebreakers help us, as teachers, get to know our students better. Understanding who our students are and what makes them, them early on can make a huge difference in how we approach teaching each of them. Plus, it shows our students that building relationships is a key component of our time together.
Get to Know You Activities for Middle School Math
As a new middle school teacher, it’s important to keep in mind that through these activities, you want to better understand your students. This helps a lot to create a positive and effective learning environment. Getting to Know Your Middle School Math Students is all about building strong connections with your students, which is especially important in middle school when kids are going through so many changes. Knowing your students’ interests, strengths, and areas for improvement can make a huge difference in how you approach teaching and engaging them.
One activity from the post is the Math About Me activity. This is a way for your students to share information about themselves through a math lens. Each of your students fills out the survey questions ranging from questions using a 1-10 scale to short answer questions. Based on their answers, you’re able to see their views of math, preferences for working in groups, and how they perceive themselves as a mathematician.
What I love about this activity is that it shows our students we care about them as individuals, not just as learners. It helps build trust and rapport, which are essential for a successful classroom environment. Plus, it gives you a head start in planning activities that will keep them motivated and excited about learning.
Use This New Middle School Teacher Guide for a Successful Start to Your Year
As you gear up for your first weeks as a new middle school teacher, remember that being prepared has an impact. By planning out your routines, getting to know your students, and incorporating fun icebreakers, you’ll set the stage for a successful and enjoyable school year. The resources and tips shared in the blog posts I’ve shared today are designed to help you create a welcoming and engaging classroom environment. So, explore these strategies, and feel confident in your ability to connect with your students and make learning fun. Here’s to a fantastic start to your teaching journey. You’ve got this!
Save for Later
Remember to save this to your favorite teacher Pinterest board. That way you’ll have access to this new middle school teacher guide for when you start planning!
