Session 1 Script

Welcome and Warm-Up (2 minutes)

Teacher: “Good morning, friends! Come sit with me in our circle on the carpet. Let’s make a big happy circle!”

(Pause to help children settle.)

Teacher: “We’re going to sing our Hello song. When I say your name, wave your hand or give a little clap! Ready?”

(Sing the Hello song, inserting each child’s name.)

Teacher: “Great job! Now I’m going to pass around our Friendship Star Pom-Poms. When you hold the star, please tell us your name.”

(Pass around Friendship Star Pom-Poms. Encourage each child: “Thank you, [child’s name]!”)

Interactive Read-Aloud (3 minutes)

Teacher: “Friends, look at this book! It’s called Hello! A First Day Surprise. What do you think happens on the first day of school?”

(Allow 2–3 responses. Validate: “Yes, meeting new friends is fun!” or “You might see your classroom—it’s so exciting!”)

Teacher: “Let’s open it and find out.”

(Show cover of Hello! A First Day Surprise Book, then read the first few pages, pausing.)

Teacher (pointing): “What is this boy doing here? He looks a little nervous. How about you?”

(Acknowledge illustrations and children’s reactions.)

Feelings Discussion (2 minutes)

Teacher: “Now, let’s talk about how we feel. How are you feeling today—happy, excited, or maybe a little scared?”

(Give children a moment to share one word.)

Teacher: “Thank you for sharing. It’s okay to feel any of those. I feel a little excited too, because I get to spend the day with you!”

Name Tag Craft Activity (4 minutes)

Teacher: “Time to make our special name tags! I have shapes and crayons from our Name Tag Craft Supplies. First, write or draw your name in big letters.”

Teacher: “Then, decorate with stickers, lines, or stars—make it look like you!”

(Circulate, help with letter formation, and praise efforts: “I love how you colored that border, [child’s name]!”.)
 
 

Introduce Classroom Routines (2 minutes)

Teacher: “Let’s learn what we do every morning. Look at our Morning Routine Chart Poster.”

Teacher (pointing): “First, hang your backpack right here.”

Teacher (pointing): “Next, choose a helper job for the day.”

Teacher (pointing): “Finally, find your spot on the carpet for our morning meeting.”

Teacher: “Who can show me where to hang their backpack?”

(Invite one child to point and name the step.)

Calm-Down Cool-Down (2 minutes)

Teacher: “We did so much today—let’s take a moment to relax.”

Teacher: “Come back to our circle and I’ll pass the Calm-Down Glitter Jar. Gently shake it and watch the sparkles float.”

(Hand jar to each child; encourage quiet breathing.)

Teacher: “Breathe in… and out… Feel the sparkles settle.”

Teacher: “You were all amazing today! I can’t wait to learn more with you tomorrow.”

End of Session 1

Session 1 Warm-Up (2 minutes)

Objective: Help children feel comfortable and introduce themselves through song and sharing.

Materials: Friendship Star Pom-Poms

Instructions:

1. Gather the children in a circle on the carpet.
2. Sing a simple “Hello” song together (to a familiar tune like “Twinkle, Twinkle”):
   • Teacher sings: “Hello, hello, how are you?”
   • Children respond: “I’m fine, thank you—how are you?”
   • Everyone waves to each other on each greeting.
3. Pass around the Friendship Star Pom-Poms. When a child holds the star, they say:
   • “Hello, my name is __.”
   • (Optional) “I like __” (favorite color, animal, or snack).
4. Continue passing until every child has had a turn sharing.

Transition: Cheer for each child’s sharing (“Great job, friends!”) and invite everyone to settle for the Interactive Read-Aloud.

Hello! A First Day Surprise

Hello, hello – today is my first day of school!
I zip up my bright backpack and feel butterflies flutter in my tummy.

I hold my grown-up’s hand tightly and we walk through the big school doors.
I take a deep breath… and step inside.

My teacher kneels down and says, “Welcome, friend!”
We choose a cozy spot on the carpet and sing our special hello song together.

I look around and see colorful posters, blocks, and smiling faces.
There’s a bookshelf, a reading nook, and a table full of crayons.

I spot a new friend with a happy grin.
“Hi! My name is ___,” I say.
My friend replies, “Hi! My name is ___.”
We clap our hands and share a big high-five.

Next, we make name tags with crayons and stickers.
We draw our names in big letters and decorate with stars, hearts, or squiggles.

Then it’s time to talk about our feelings.
Some friends feel excited.
Some friends feel a little shy.
It’s okay to feel any way.
We share a smile and feel safe together.

Snack time arrives—crunch, munch, yum!
We wash our hands, sit together, and enjoy our treats.

At the end of the day, we gather back on the carpet.
Each friend shares their favorite moment.
We clap for each other and say, “Great job today!”

Oh, school, you are so much fun!
I can’t wait to see what surprises tomorrow will bring.

The End

Session 1 Name Tag Craft

Objective: Help children practice recognizing and writing their names, personalize their space in the classroom, and build a sense of belonging.

Time: 4 minutes

Materials:

• Name Tag Craft Supplies (pre-cut cardstock shapes or large name-tag templates, crayons, markers, stickers, star/heart cut-outs, yarn or lanyard clips)

Prep (2 minutes):

• Set out one shape or name-tag template per child.
• Organize crayons, markers, and stickers in small containers for easy reach.
• Cut lengths of yarn or prepare lanyard clips.

Instructions:

1. Introduction (30 seconds)
   • Gather children at the craft table or carpet area.
   • Say: “Today we’re making our special name tags! This helps everyone learn our names and makes our classroom feel like home.”
2. Demonstrate How to Write a Name (30 seconds)
   • Hold up a blank tag and model writing your name in large letters.
   • Say: “I’m writing each letter slowly so everyone can see. You can ask me for help if you need a letter.”
3. Children Write or Draw Their Names (1 minute)
   • Distribute one tag and a crayon or marker to each child.
   • Prompt: “Write your name in big letters or draw the name if it’s easier.”
   • Circulate and assist with letter formation.
4. Decorate the Name Tag (1 minute)
   • Invite children to choose stickers, cut-outs, or draw designs around their name.
   • Encourage creativity: “Add stars, hearts, or your favorite color!”
5. Attach and Share (1 minute)
   • Help each child attach yarn or a lanyard clip to their tag.
   • Once finished, invite children to stand in the circle, show their tag, and say: “My name is __.”

Transition:

• Cheer for each child (“Wonderful job, everyone!”) and guide them back to the carpet for the next activity.

Session 1 Morning Routine Simon Says (3 minutes)

Objective: Help children practice and remember our three morning routine steps through a playful Simon Says game.

Materials:

• Morning Routine Chart Poster

Instructions:

1. Gather children in a circle where everyone can see you and the Morning Routine Chart Poster.
2. Explain the rules: “When I say ‘Simon says’ before an action, do it! If I don’t say ‘Simon says,’ stay still.”
3. Model a practice round:
   • Teacher: “Simon says: touch your head.” (Children touch heads.)
   • Teacher: “Clap your hands.” (Children should stay still.)
4. Play the routine-themed rounds:
   • Simon says: hang your backpack on the hook.
   • Simon says: choose your helper badge and hold it up.
   • Simon says: find your spot on the carpet and sit down.
   • Simon says: point to our chart where we put backpacks.
   • Stand up—but do NOT move! (Trick command.)
   • Simon says: wave to a friend sitting next to you.
   • Pat your head and rub your tummy. (Trick command.)
5. Celebrate good listening: “You all did an amazing job following ‘Simon says!’”

Transition:

• Point to the poster again: “You remembered our routine steps—let’s use them every morning!”
• Invite children to return to their backpacks or helper chart for the next activity.

Session 1 Feelings Discussion (2 minutes)

Objective: Build emotional awareness and community by naming and sharing how we feel on our first day of school.

Materials: Friendship Star Pom-Poms

Instructions:

1. Gather back in our circle and remind children: “Today is a big day, and all feelings are okay!”
2. Explain the sharing process:
   • Teacher: “When you hold the star, tell us one word for how you feel right now—happy, excited, a little shy, or maybe nervous.”
3. Pass around the Friendship Star Pom-Poms. For each child:
   • Child holds the pom-pom and says: “I feel ___.”
   • Teacher responds: “Thank you for sharing, I’m so glad you told us.”
4. Follow-Up Questions (choose 1–2):
   • “What makes you feel that way today?”
   • “What can we do to help a friend who feels nervous or shy?”
   • “How does that feeling feel in your body? (jumping butterflies, warm smile, etc.)”
5. Validate all responses and reinforce community:
   • Teacher: “It’s wonderful that we can share any feeling. We’re here to help each other!”

Transition:
Teacher: “Great sharing, friends! Now let’s move on to making our special name tags.”

Session 1 Cool-Down (2 minutes)

Objective: Help children wind down, reflect on their first day, and end on a positive, calm note.

Materials: Calm-Down Glitter Jar

Instructions:

1. Gather the children back into the circle on the carpet.
2. Show the Calm-Down Glitter Jar and remind them: “We’re going to take a quiet moment to breathe and think.”
3. Pass the jar around; as each child gently shakes it, invite everyone to watch the glitter swirl.
4. Encourage slow, deep breaths together while the glitter settles:
   • Teacher leads: “Breathe in… 1, 2, 3. Breathe out… 1, 2, 3.”
5. After the glitter has settled, ask each child (if they’d like) to share one word about their favorite part of today’s session (e.g., “drawing,” “meeting friends,” “playing our game”).
6. Conclude with a collective cheer and a simple chant:
   • Teacher and children together: “We had fun, we did our best, tomorrow we’ll get more rest!”

Transition:
“Great job today, friends! Now let’s tidy up our area, grab our things, and get ready for our next adventure.”