Monday, May 7, 2012

Walk Around My School

Lots of you are starting to talk about Open House so i thought I would share one of my very favorite Open House activities: School Walk.  This is actually a whole school tradition that we have been doing for a zillion years.  (Not that I have been teaching a zillion years, but almost!)  Our Open House is always on a Wednesday night.  The next morning, right after we take attendance EVERY class in the school goes on a walk around the school.  It reminds me of a parade.  We weave in and out of every classroom in the school so that by the end of the walk, students have visited ALL classrooms.

In the beginning we did this so that we (THE TEACHERS) could see every adorable classroom all gussied up for Open House.  But then we found many, many side benefits.  The children love seeing the classrooms they used to be in. ("There is my old desk."  "Why are those chairs so small?" "I remember when we did that project.")

I love being able to show my kiddos what lies ahead.  ("When you are in second grade, you will be writing animal reports like those on the wall." "Here is an art project you may do.")  I take forever in each room because I love foreshadowing what is to come for my students.  I think other teachers hate following me in the parade because there is always a traffic jam behind me.  As I enter each classroom, I really do try to be quick, but ... there are so many things that I want to show my kiddos!

I LOVE this tradition and encourage you to get your school to try something similar.

So ... what traditions do you have at your school that you would like to share with us?

Love to all,
Camille

1 comment:

  1. We do that, too!!!!!!!!! EVERY SINGLE YEAR!!! Except our Open House is on Thursday and we do it on Friday mornings which, to me, is even better! ;) We call it our Open House Tour. It's so special -- I can't imagine not doing it. It builds school spirit and hits on everything you just said. :)
    LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
    A Teeny Tiny Teacher

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