How Do I Use This Guidance? Link to this section
What should you consider when getting ready for day one? Below are actions and practices that will support you to gather materials, design your physical space, and anticipate student needs that might arise. Your site likely has established systems and structures in place. Your first step is to get to know those systems and structures and align yourself with them. Use the information below as more concrete guidance and ways you might build on what your site already does. It's a lot! Start with the goal for each checklist and then use the actions as possible supports to consider towards meeting that goal.
Nuts and Bolts Checklist
Below is a checklist of nuts and bolts helpful to consider when getting ready before day one. It’s a lot! Before digging in, seek support from your site admin and colleagues. Likely many of the goals here are already taken care of at the site level, once you ask.
Classroom materials checklist
Below is a checklist of classroom materials helpful to consider when getting ready before day one. It’s a lot! Before digging in, seek support from your site admin and colleagues. Likely many of the materials here are already taken care of at the site level, once you ask. These materials are not specific to content. Please refer to content checklists for classroom materials needed for each content.
Classroom Environment Checklist
Below you'll find a classroom environment checklist. This checklist is based on the ECERS-R, PCMI and SELA.
Procedures and Routines
Here are some common procedures and routines to teach on the first day(s) of school. There are some notes on how to prepare to teach each procedure/routine with the script of what you might say in green.
Possible Scenarios to be Ready For
Here are some possible scenarios that might occur in the first day or first few weeks of school and ideas for how to address them.. It is definitely incomplete! Taking time to anticipate scenarios and plan proactively will help create a welcoming, culture of learning from day one. Please connect with colleagues for anticipating support as well.
Launching the Year Books
This is a list of read-aloud books and lesson plans that can be helpful in welcoming children into our PreK and TK classrooms. These books foster belonging and community, and introduce SEL skills such as a growth mindset, conflict resolution, and identifying feelings. Please seek support from colleagues, librarians, and coaches for additional ideas.
Environments, Schedules and Routines
Starting at 9 mins and 3 seconds, this video companion for the CA Early Childhood Educator Competencies from the CA Department of Education, show us how environments, schedules and routines are essential in early childhood learning and curriculum.
Establishing Interest Areas
A physical space divided into interest areas is an ideal setting for preschool children who want to explore, make things, experiment, and pursue their interests. Areas should be devoted to Library/books, art activities, fine motor manipulatives, math/number, nature/science, dramatic play, blocks, sand/water, music, space for privacy/cool down corner. You will see that some areas overlap in materials and they can be combined and spread around. Below are examples of the different interest areas. Click the link for some examples.
Video of pre-k classroom environment
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Physical Environment Readings
Here are some articles and research on setting up the physical environment to support a culture of learning. Particularly recommend the article, "Using Archetypes to Match Learning Spaces with Physical and Digital Spaces” by Bianca Hewes (2012) on pages 41-46.
Reflection Questions Link to this section
- How can you strategically organize the physical classroom space, furniture, and materials to support a welcoming, efficient and comfortable learning environment?
- What materials do you have already? How can you organize them in a way that promotes students access and independence?
- What materials do you still need? What will you prioritize? Who can you ask?
- What environmental set up will you prioritize in order for all students to be responsible for the thinking in the classroom?
- What are the implications for your own practice? What will you do first?
This page was last updated on May 25, 2023