Tag: math class

First Week of Math Class Ideas

You may be wondering what the first week of math class should really look like — especially if you’re teaching middle or high school. Maybe you’re aiming to make everything perfect, or maybe you’re just trying to survive the chaos.

Either way, I’ve been there. I spent over 35 years in the classroom, and I always believed the first week was about more than content. It’s about systems, structure, and connection.

So here’s what I recommend (and what I used myself) for that first week of school.

Start with a Plan and a PowerPoint

For new teachers, I recommend using a PowerPoint on Day 1 to walk students through your rules and procedures. If you’ve read Harry Wong’s First Days of School, you know how powerful this foundation can be. If you’re a veteran teacher, you might prefer to break up the PowerPoint across the week and mix in more community-building and routines practice.

About Me + Name Plates

As students walk in on the first day, I have two things waiting on their desks:

  • An “About Me” page (as bell work)
  • An index card to make a nameplate (Suggestion: Use colored index cards — a different color for each class)

The folded nameplate helps me learn names quickly and gives students something productive to do. I keep these nameplates all year, clipped by class — super handy for randomly calling on students or activities where I move seats.

I keep all name plates for each class on a clip as shown above.

YouCubed

The other thing I liked to do during the first days of my math class was use activities from YouCubed. The ones I focused on came from the Week of Inspirational Math(s). I’ll give more specifics in my weekly plan.

Sample Weekly Plan (Block Schedule)

Mon/Tue

Secondary Math – 1st Week of School
  • Bell Work: “About Me”
  • First Day PowerPoint
  • Make Name Plates
  • Send home parent forms
  • Scavenger Hunt + Syllabus

Wed/Thu

  • Hand out name plates again
  • Finish any leftover intro tasks
  • YouCubed “Four 4’s” activity
  • Start Collatz Conjecture (“Oh Hail the Elephant“) if time allows.

Friday

  • Wrap up Collatz
  • Another YouCubed activity (like Building Shapes, as shown in the picture)
  • Reminder: Supplies needed for Monday + weekend paperwork

Want This All Ready to Go?

Take a look at my 1st Week of School for the Secondary Educator in my TpT Store.

Here’s What’s Inside:

  • Editable Scavenger Hunt: A customizable way to familiarize students with the classroom.
  • Editable Syllabus Template: Easily customize to fit your classroom policies and curriculum.
  • “Get to Know You” Activities: Fun and engaging ways to learn about your students.
  • Parent Contact Forms: Communicate with parents from day one.
  • First-Day PowerPoint: Kick off the year with a polished presentation.

I hope this gave you ideas or reassurance that it’s okay to take your time the first week. And don’t forget to collaborate with your team — every teacher does things a little differently, and that’s okay.

Wishing you a great year ahead!
Lisa
Time Flies Math

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