School just ended and June is quickly flying by. Already teachers are downloading some of my back to school packets, so I decided to start designing some new items.

There were quite a few moments when I needed one-on-one time with my Y5’s, on those busy first days,  so I was always on the look out for something they could do independently, so I could assign bus numbers,  take a first day photo, check how students were holding a writing utensil etc.

I designed the easy reader My First Day Of ___________________. with that in mind.  Students trace and write a few main words and then cut and glue the pictures to their matching numbered boxes.

If you read your completed model to the students a head of time, as an explanation, they should be good to go.

Some children will need one-on-one help writing what their favorite thing of the day was for the last page.

To help expedite this, brainstorm with your students about all of the things you accomplished and have them raise their hands and share what their favorite thing was.

Write their answers on the board, so they have something to copy.  You could also jot preschoolers’ answers down on their papers, as they share them.

Students then draw a picture of that activity or thing.

This not only makes a nice keepsake, but also is a great assessment tool to show you student-ability levels in cutting, holding a writing utensil, tracing, writing, listening and following directions etc.

If you can print pictures from your digital camera at school, take their photo doing their favorite thing and include it, to make this even more of a keepsake.

When everyone has completed their booklet, read it together as a whole group, to review concepts of print, and so that students are able to share it with their families when they get home.

The kindergarten sample is pictured, but I've also included a page for preschool, Y5's, 1st grade + a blank page for you to program for whatever else you teach.

Click on the link to view/download My First Day of School booklet

Thanks for visiting.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others might enjoy.

“Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Skill is knowing how to do it. Virtue is doing it.” –Thomas Jefferson