A Powerful First Day: Crafting an Engaging Back-to-School World Language Class for Success! (Part 2)

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Back to School Series, where I’m excited to share a treasure trove of ideas, activities, and strategies to set the stage for an incredibly successful year. Today, we’re diving deep into that all-important first day of class.

Back to School First-Day Approach

You might be wondering, why is the first day so significant? Well, it’s because that initial encounter with your students sets the tone for the entire journey ahead. Making a positive impact from the start can pave the way for a year filled with growth, excitement, and meaningful connections.

Last week, in episode 42, I spoke about what to do in the important days of planning leading up to the first day of school. In the past, the first day was all about logistics, such as getting kids in class, giving them the textbook, and then the syllabus. Now, I realize I was wrong.

In episode 43, I’ll be your guide, walking you step by step through all the activities I’ve curated for that memorable first day. In this post, I’ll share a few highlights, but to hear all the details, listen above or on your favorite podcast player.

First Impressions

I know that my students are going to make up their mind about me really fast. However, we need to make sure that we are very intentional to not let any biases get in our minds. Because, sometimes, we see a student and are making our minds up that that student is going to be trouble, is not going to give us all the things that we need him or her to give us, or that the student is going to hate our class. So, impressions go both ways. 

Step-by-Step First Day

Flashcards

I create a flashcard per student. I write their name on the top corner of my flashcard. Then, that first morning, I place my cards in an alphabetical order. I place these cards on their desks or chairs so they can find their name and seat. I explain in episode 43 why I like to keep my students in alphabetical order. 

Back to School First Slide

I create a first slide or set of slides. I have slides for all of my lesson plans. It helps guide me, gives me a structure, and helps students know what we’re going to do next. I use Google Slides or PowerPoint slides. Listen here to hear all the details of my slides.

Saying Their Name and Trust

Next, I put on relaxing music, and I let my students relax, listen, and draw. Then, if somebody didn’t find their seat or if somebody is confused, I can help them during this time. After everyone is settled is when I start calling attendance or taking attendance. I walk towards my students and call their name because I want to know if I pronounce the name correctly.

I try to really make sure that they understand that I’m doing my very best to pronounce their names correctly. So, I’m building trust and building this moment. I’m building this one-on-one moment when I look at the student, say their name, and make the effort to pronounce it correctly. Trust me, this helps set the tone of your year with your students.

Speak in Spanish, Slides in English

My goal the first week is not for my students to acquire any language. If they can get it, that’s a double win. But for me, my goal is to build a culture in my class that is caring, that is supporting, that is strong, and that we trust each other. I want that more than anything, because if I can get that, my year is going to go so much smoother. And sometimes I have to work super hard with some classes, but that’s my mission.

After going through the agenda, we’re going to talk about me, I’m going to give a presentation, we’re going to play a game, we’re going to do a survey, and then we’re going to complete an exit ticket and they’re going to leave. One thing to remember is that you have to adapt this to what is happening with your students. In this week’s podcast episode, I give you examples of a few different things you can also do this first day. 

End of First Day

I like to create a survey for my students, and it is the initial survey where I want to get to know my students more. Remember to make this in advance. Before the end of class, I give them the syllabus, and I have them read it at home. Yes, I go over it after the first day and after they have read it, hopefully, at home.

Now, I mentioned an exit ticket. What is this? In an exit ticket, I ask my students, “How did you feel today?”, and “Tell me something that you really enjoyed in the class”. Then, I add, “Tell me something that I can do differently next time, and tell me how much you were able to understand in class.” Let me tell you, I love to read those exit tickets because they really help me see how my students feel. 

More Back to School Information

If you’re reading this in July, I will be hosting a live workshop next week. This live training is going to be on July 26 at 7pm Eastern time in English and on July 27 at 11am in Spanish. I hope you join me. In this workshop, I will take you from this first day to my first unit. Get your ticket to this event HERE. As always, you can find all GWP The Podcast episodes here.