Week 3: My School
Weekly Focus
Children explore their school environment, the people who work there, classroom rules and routines, and how to be a good friend and classmate.
Week at a Glance
Daily themes for Week 3
- MondayMy School Building
- TuesdaySchool People
- WednesdayClassroom Rules
- ThursdayBeing a Good Friend
- FridaySchool Routines
Teacher Tip
Learning Objectives
- Identify important places and people in the school
- Understand and follow classroom rules and routines
- Develop friendship skills and conflict resolution strategies
- Recognize the roles of different school staff members
- Practice cooperation and sharing in group activities
- Develop vocabulary related to school and friendship
Key Vocabulary
Materials Needed
- School map or floor plan
- Photos of school staff members
- Visual schedule cards
- Art supplies for school crafts
- Books about school and friendship
- Dramatic play props (school supplies, uniforms)
- Chart paper and markers
- Friendship bracelets materials
Daily Plans
Monday: Our School Community
Morning Circle
Introduce the theme "My School." Read "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn or "Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten" by Joseph Slate. Discuss what makes school a special place.
Book Options:
- "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn
- "Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten" by Joseph Slate
- "First Day Jitters" by Julie Danneberg
- "The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!" by Mo Willems
Literacy Activity
Create a language experience chart about "What We Like About Our School." Children contribute ideas and the teacher writes them down.
School Tour
Take a walking tour of the school, visiting important places (office, library, cafeteria, gym, playground). Create a simple map afterward.
Art Activity
Children draw pictures of their favorite place in the school and dictate or write why they like it.
Extension Idea:
Create a classroom book titled "Our Favorite Places at School" with children's drawings and dictations.
Closing Circle
Share artwork and discuss what children learned about their school. Create a list of questions about the school to investigate during the week.
Featured Activities
School Map Adventure
Children create a detailed map of their school, marking important locations and the people who work there.
Materials Needed:
Large paper, crayons, stickers, photos of school areas
School Helper Interviews
Children interview different school staff members and create a "School Helpers" book with photos and quotes.
Materials Needed:
Interview questions, camera/tablet, paper, markers
Classroom Rules Theater
Children create and perform short skits demonstrating positive classroom behaviors and problem-solving strategies.
Materials Needed:
Simple props, costumes, scenario cards
Friendship Garden
Children plant seeds in small pots and care for them together, learning about friendship, cooperation, and responsibility.
Materials Needed:
Small pots, soil, seeds, watering cans, plant markers
Resources
Books
- • "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn
- • "Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten" by Joseph Slate
- • "David Goes to School" by David Shannon
- • "The Recess Queen" by Alexis O'Neill
- • "Strictly No Elephants" by Lisa Mantchev
- • "First Day Jitters" by Julie Danneberg
- • "The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!" by Mo Willems
- • "Career Day" by Anne Rockwell
Printables
- • School tour checklist
- • "People Who Help Us" book template
- • Classroom rules chart template
- • Friendship recipe worksheet
- • School map template
- • Interview question cards
- • Friendship bracelet instructions
- • Thank you note templates
Home Connection
- • Family school tour invitation
- • "Our School Rules at Home" activity
- • Friendship skills practice guide
- • School helper career exploration
- • Weekly reflection questions
- • School vocabulary flashcards
- • Parent volunteer opportunities
- • School community newsletter