Back to School: Anticipation & Activities

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Back to School Thoughts & Activities

Hello, all!

I’m Danielle and I am a teacher, military spouse, writer, runner, and reader. I graduated from the University of Idaho with a teaching degree, and then followed that up with a Masters from la Université de Poitiers in France. I’ve been teaching for five years now, working in Oregon, France, Germany, North Carolina, and now Puerto Rico. I’m gearing up for a new school and a new school year here in sunny Puerto Rico. I’ll be teaching 9th grade English in an English-speaking school here, and I’m really excited. I got to choose my own books, too! We’ll read Lord of the Flies, dystopian lit in lit circles, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Housekeeper and the Professor.

I love books!

I mean, obviously. I’m an English teacher, right? One of my favorites that I read this summer is The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle. It’s a hauntingly beautiful mystery set in Ireland, and it’s got it all: romance, drama, suspense, and a little bit of magic.

The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle

I also *love* recommending books to students. This year, I’ll direct them to The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Veronica Mars meets Scandal), Nightfall by Jake Halpern (for fans of Mazerunner), and The Last Night at Circle Cinema by Emily Franklin. Some of my all-time favorites include the Lemony Snicket books, anything YA Dystopian, and Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy.

Back to School!

I’m so thrilled to be headed back to school!

On the first day of school this year, I plan to have students complete The Daring English Teacher’s (free) Back to School Survey. While this is happening, I’m going to take pictures of each student. I have a class set of mini whiteboards, and I’ll have them write their names on the whiteboard and hold it up. I’ll take two pictures – one with the name and one without – and use these as flashcards to quiz myself at home. I have to learn these names quickly, folks – names are power! 

I’ll also get rolling in the first week with something academic. One of my favorite starter activities is a Peer Interview Project with my students. It works for everyone: they get to work on their speaking and listening skills, everyone learns about each other, and I get to learn about them! As a military spouse who’s constantly changing schools, it’s really important for me to be able to get to know my students quickly. This project is a great jump start!

What are your favorite Back to School activities? I’d love to hear from you in comments. 🙂