OUR HAPPY DAY!

This is a book that will help children feel comfortable as they learn the daily routine in your classroom. Even if children can’t read the words, the pictures will provide them with clues about what to do. Read the book each morning to prepare children and to capture their interest in activities you have planned. Have children refer to the book to “see what we should do next.” You could also send the book home with one child each evening to share with their families.

First, take pictures of the children engaged in your daily activities and routines. Glue pictures to construction paper and write captions similar to the ones suggested. (Adapt to the age level of your students and your curriculum.) Put the pages together and bind to make a book.
            Welcome to Marshall School
            Put away your backpack and get ready for a great day! 

            We start our day with circle time and a song!
            We talk, do the calendar, and learn together.

            Next, it’s time for language arts.
            We read, write, listen, and learn!

            Time to go outside for P.E.
            We need to exercise our bodies as well as our brains.

            Next comes math! We count, add, subtract, measure,
             graph, and think!

            Time for lunch.
            I’m hungry! How about you?

            Story time is always special.
            Books are friends that we love to visit again and again.

            Then it’s time for learning centers.

            Let’s recall and review our day.
            Don’t forget your backpacks!
            Good-bye, friends!
            See you tomorrow!

*Make individual books with picture clues for children with language difficulties. The photos will help them know what to expect as they become familiar school routines.

*Put photos of different activities on large index cards. Attach a piece of magnetic tape on both sides. As you review your schedule each morning you can insert specials and adapt to changes. Turn the cards over as you complete each activity so children will understand the progression of the day.
  
The Name of My School
Do you get tired of children saying, “Teacher, teacher!” the first few days of school. This song will enable them to learn the name of their teacher, school, principal, as well as their community, city, state, and country.
Take photographs of yourself, the principal, the school, your community, and so forth. Glue pictures to construction paper and write a verse similar to those below on each page. Sing the words to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus.”

                                     
The name of my school is (school’s name),
school’s name), (school’s name).
The name of my school is (school’s name).
That’s the name of my school.

The name of my teacher is (teacher’s name), (teacher’s name),
(teacher’s name)…

The name of my principal is…

The name of my librarian is…
The name of my P.E. teacher is…
                          
Hint! Make a similar book for social studies concepts.
                        The name of my city is...
                        The name of my state is...
                        The name of my country is...
                        The name of my continent is...
                        The name of my planet is...
Hint! You could also include the name of your mayor, governor, President, etc.