5 back-to-school tips for Primary: connect with your students
The start of the school year is one of the most exciting times of the year, both for teachers and for Primary students. Back to school is the perfect opportunity to get to know your new students, build a climate of trust and motivation, and welcome them to a new school year. To help you get off on the right foot, here are 5 tips to make going back to school in Primary a real success.
1. Plan welcome activities for back to school in Primary
The first few days are key to getting to know your students. To do it in a fun way, create an interest map where each student draws or writes a couple of things they like. They can be topics, sports, movies, animals… anything! These maps will help you get to know them better, giving you information to personalize instruction, motivate them, and connect with their interests.
2. Schedule a reading hour to build a love of books
Set a regular reading hour and turn the classroom into a magical space full of tales, stories, and fantasy. Create a special atmosphere and decorate the classroom to match the themes of the books. Encourage students to bring their favorite books or choose a book to read together, and alternate between independent reading and reading aloud. This small ritual not only builds the reading habit but also creates a relaxing, enjoyable time to share together.
3. Celebrate achievements and set realistic goals
Start the school year by setting clear, realistic goals with your students. Use positive, motivating language to encourage them to set achievable, meaningful goals. How we give feedback really matters! To support this, you can create a classroom achievement board where students record their progress and celebrate their successes, no matter how small. Celebrating achievements keeps motivation high and helps build a positive, collaborative classroom atmosphere.
4. Set up the classroom as a creative, collaborative space
Plan your classroom to support concentration, creativity, and collaboration. For example, you can arrange desks in groups to make teamwork easier. Use accessible shelves so students can be more independent, and create a corner for creative activities, with art supplies, and a reading area, a cozy corner with their favorite books.
5. Keep communication open with families
Families can be your best allies! Hold an initial meeting to introduce yourself, explain your goals for the school year, and share resources they can use at home to support their children’s learning. tekman programs also include letters to families that explain the goals and other useful information. It’s also important to set up a clear communication channel to keep them informed. Good communication strengthens the connection between home and school, creating an atmosphere of trust and collaboration.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be all set for back to school. Your Primary students will start the year with energy, motivation, and a real desire to learn!
Looking for more ideas and resources for your classes? Don’t miss these:
- GUIDE The reading journal: a companion on the literary journey
- WEBINAR Reading aloud and other discoveries from educational neuroscience, with Anna Forés (in Spanish)
- GUIDE How to learn math through play in Primary
