The first day of school is often a stressful time for young pupils who don't have much school experience and are shy. They may not be used to being around so many other children their age and lack basic social skills, which prevents them from making new friends. Introductions are an effective way of making each child comfortable in his new classroom. You can even turn it into a game, such as the "name game," and ask each child to introduce himself and tell the class his favorite hobby. After the game, children will know a little bit about each other and may feel more comfortable.
Building friendships in the classroom depends on children finding common ground with each other. You can help facilitate this process by handing out small cue cards to each child and asking them to draw or write their favorite color, book, movie or sport. When they are finished, ask the children to form groups with children who share the same interests. This activity helps children find common interests with their classmates and can be the first step toward developing new friendships.
Getting to know your pupils is essential for understanding how to teach them. During circle time, you can set up a chart and ask the pupils in your class what they are interested in learning about this school year. Get them to brainstorm about topics and activities that interest them. You can use this information to help you formulate lesson plans for future classes.
The summer months are typically quite eventful for children, because some go on vacation with their families and others are enrolled in summer camps. Ask the children to reflect and share their experiences through a summer journal. Ask them to draw pictures of some cherished summer experiences, which can then be placed on the walls of the classroom.