First day my plan is to introduce:

5 rules/gestures

hands/eyes
class/yes
teach/okay

lines, lines, lines
papers, papers, papers
seats, seats, seats

scoreboard
mighty oh yeah
mighty groan

Is that reasonable? Too much for first day? I teach 4th grade.

I think that's perfect for first day. Go over a little....teach a lesson....review and add the next step.....do another content area....so on and so forth. You'll know if it's too much by the glazed look in their eyes. Having done this many times over with upper grades, I'd say that's pretty darn close to what I introduce on the first day. Keep in mind to rehearse, rehearse, rehearse for days after, but looks like a strong start. Good luck and let us know how it goes...was it the right amount or not? I'm sure lots of folks are wondering the same thing.

Nikki
Biffle was right to name you the Quenn of FL...We never really talk about what should you do on the first day. You're all over it. You are going to have so much fun! Keep it up. As Jay says let us know so we can cheer with you.

Thanks Chris, I'll look for my WBT crown in the mail. This week has just been staff back to work, but everyday we've met for planning, we have been giving each other woos, oh yeahs, and catching each others guffs when complaints start coming out. I am so excited about this year with WBT and my team is as well. Everything I think about, I wonder to myself, how cna WBT work with this. (edited to say that we went to lunch today, and while my 6/4 year olds were buckling themselves to leave, we all cheered for them so they would be quick! Worked like a charm!)

My neighbor teacher and I are team teaching, so our classes will come between the both of us during the day for different subjects. I've decided my scoreboard will be on a mini whiteboard, so it can travel with my class, not only to her room, but also on sidewalks, to lunch, etc...

We made color coded clipboards this week for individual behavior. Similar to card systems, which really aren't effective for me. There are different colors sectioned off on the board, green in the middle, where everyone will begin the day, children's names are on mini clothespins and clipped on. 4 colors to move down during the day, but will have the chance to move back up with better choices. The two colors above green are for students with great behavior and setting great examples. Blue, then purple for the "power of wisdom." If they make it to purple, they'll get a card to take home to share with parents. Everyone on my team made a clipboard this week, and we are excited about them!