Middle School Teachers?

I was just looking for some advice. I will be teaching science 6th grade (one 7th grade section).

What are some activities you do the first few days of school?

Also, it seems as if most educational stores cater to elementary level. What kind of decorations do you have in your class? They are at that in between stage.

TIA

Re: Middle School Teachers?

I teach 6th grade science. I have posters up about the scientific method, layers of the earth, periodic table, biomes, rocks and minerals, etc.

On the first day of class, I go over my expectations, get the new texts out and have them draw what they think a scientist looks like. I walk around the room and comment on them..making sure they include lots of details. If some finish quickly, I have them write a little explanation of their pictures. Then some share their pictures, most kids are too shy at that point of the year. I ask who drew a female scientist and it's usually only 1 or 2. We discuss that doctors are scientists, astronauts, teachers, meteorgologist, etc are all scientists, because they observe interesting things around them and wonder what makes things happen. They have some fun with it and it breaks the ice a bit.

Our first unit is ecology, so for the next couple of days we do a survival off the land group activity, then right into the meat of the unit.

Good luck!

Re: Middle School Teachers?

Thank you for your input. Helpful suggestions are always appreciated.

If you don't mind me asking, what is the survival of the land activity?

Re: Middle School Teachers?

I distribute textbooks on the second day and give them a scavenger hunt using the book with about 20 questions such as:

Who is the photo on page 46?

What color is Delaware in the Atlas?

What is the defination of federalism?

What page would you find....

etc etc

It gets them used to the book and they flip through and get the flavor of the curriculum.

Re: Middle School Teachers?

I teach seventh grade which is the first year of our middle school. The first few days we go over team and class policies and we do a lot of "getting to know you" type of activities. In my district, the kids feed in from 6 different elementary schools, so this helps them get to know one another and helps me get to know them as well. Good luck!

Re: Middle School Teachers?

I give them a questionnaire and ask them questions about themselves. I give out textbooks. Sometimes I assign seats. I tell them about myself- teaching experience and college experience.

Re: Middle School Teachers?

Having suffered through many annoying ice-breakers at PD, I think it's only fair to share the wealth. But as much as I hate those things, the kids love them. (i.e. having them get into line in birthday order without talking) and I think they're a good way to start.

I give out my little "contract" and go over it, go over additional rules/info and then have them do a baseline writing piece, which takes 3 days and is required by my school.