First Day of School Technology Plans

 

The first day in the computer lab is crucial for setting the tone for the rest of the school year. It’s an opportunity to establish routines, introduce students to the lab environment, and start building a positive and engaging atmosphere for learning. Here’s a guide on how to approach the first day for different grade levels:

Grades K-1: Introduction to the Computer Lab

Objective: Familiarize students with the computer lab, establish basic rules, and introduce basic computer skills.

1. Warm Welcome and Introduction (5-10 minutes)

   • Greet each student warmly at the door and introduce yourself.
   • Have a fun, colorful visual on the screen that says “Welcome to the Computer Lab!” to immediately engage them.
   • Briefly explain what they will be doing in the computer lab and express excitement about all the fun things they’ll learn.

2. Tour of the Lab and Safety Rules (10 minutes)

   • Tour: Walk the students around the lab, showing them where everything is: computers, mouse, headphones, and any other important equipment. Point out where they should put their belongings.
   • Safety Rules: Introduce basic rules in a simple and clear way. Use visuals or a short, engaging video to explain rules like “Hands on your own computer,” “No food or drinks,” and “Raise your hand if you need help.”
   • Introduce the Computer (10 minutes)
     • Turn On the Computer: Demonstrate how to turn on the computer and have each student try it on their own machine. Celebrate their success to build confidence.
     • Mouse Skills: Introduce the mouse. Show how to hold it correctly and practice moving the cursor around the screen. Use a simple, engaging game like a “mouse maze” to practice clicking and dragging.

3. 3. Interactive Activity (10 minutes)

      • Keyboard Basics: Introduce the keyboard. Show where to find important keys like Enter, Spacebar, and Backspace.
      • Hands-On Practice: Use a fun, age-appropriate activity that lets students press these keys. For example, a simple typing game that makes animals appear or sounds play when they press certain keys.

   4. Wrap-Up and Review (5 minutes)

      • Review Rules: Briefly go over the rules again. Ask a few students to recall them to reinforce understanding.
      • What’s Next: Share a sneak peek of what they’ll be doing in future classes to build excitement.
      • Dismissal: Dismiss students one by one, ensuring they log off and properly place their headphones and any other equipment.

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   Grades 2-3: Getting Started with Technology

   Objective: Introduce students to lab procedures, reinforce basic computer skills, and set expectations for behavior and learning.

   1. Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

      • Greet Students: Welcome students at the door and direct them to their assigned computers.
      • Introduce Yourself: Share a little about yourself and what the students will be learning this year. Highlight some exciting projects or skills they’ll gain.

   2. Lab Procedures and Rules (10 minutes)

      • Overview of the Lab: Quickly explain the layout of the lab, pointing out key areas like the help desk, printer, and storage for personal items.
      • Rules and Expectations: Discuss lab rules such as “Use gentle hands with equipment,” “Listen and follow instructions,” and “Raise your hand for help.” Use a simple slide show or poster to make these rules memorable.
      • Behavior Expectations: Introduce your behavior management system. For example, explain how students can earn points or stickers for good behavior and how they can lose them if they break rules.

   3. Basic Computer Skills Refresher (10 minutes)

      • Log In Process: Walk students through the process of logging into their computers using simple usernames and passwords. Provide a visual guide on the board for reference.
      • Mouse and Keyboard Practice: Have a quick refresher on using the mouse and keyboard. Use an interactive game to practice clicking, dragging, and typing.

   4. Introduction to Digital Citizenship (10 minutes)

      • Digital Citizenship Basics: Briefly introduce the concept of digital citizenship, focusing on simple ideas like being kind online and protecting personal information. Use a short video or story to illustrate these concepts.
      • Interactive Discussion: Ask students what they think it means to be a good digital citizen and why it’s important.

   5. Wrap-Up and Q&A (10 minutes)

      • Review: Recap the day’s learning, emphasizing the importance of lab rules and digital citizenship.
      • Questions: Open the floor for any questions or concerns the students might have.
      • Dismissal: Guide students to log off and tidy their workstations. Thank them for a great first day!

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   Grades 4-5: Setting Up for Success

   Objective: Establish clear procedures, introduce more advanced technology concepts, and begin fostering independence and digital responsibility.

   1. Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

      • Greet Students: Meet students at the door and direct them to their assigned seats.
      • Personal Introduction: Share a bit about your background and what to expect in the technology class this year. Mention some specific skills and projects they’ll be working on, like coding or digital storytelling.

   2. Review of Lab Procedures and Expectations (10 minutes)

      • Procedures: Explain the daily routine for entering the lab, starting computers, and logging in. Highlight the importance of taking care of the equipment and following procedures to ensure a smooth class.
      • Rules and Consequences: Discuss lab rules in detail. Explain the consequences for not following the rules, such as loss of computer privileges or specific behavior interventions.

   3. Introduction to Advanced Computer Skills (10 minutes)

      • Logging In and File Management: Teach students how to log in, create folders, and save files in the correct locations. Emphasize the importance of keeping their work organized.
      • Basic Software Overview: Introduce any specific software they will use frequently, such as word processors, presentation tools, or coding platforms. Give a brief overview of what each tool does.

   4. Digital Citizenship and Online Safety (10 minutes)

      • In-Depth Discussion: Dive deeper into digital citizenship, covering topics like online etiquette, recognizing trustworthy websites, and understanding digital footprints. Use a combination of discussion, videos, and scenarios to engage students.
      • Interactive Activity: Have students participate in an activity where they identify safe vs. unsafe online behaviors. This could be a digital quiz or a group discussion with examples.

   5. Independent Practice and Wrap-Up (10 minutes)

      • Hands-On Practice: Give students a short task to complete independently, such as creating a simple document or finding a reliable source of information online. This helps reinforce the skills discussed and gives you a chance to observe and provide feedback.
      • Wrap-Up and Reflection: End the class with a brief reflection on what they learned. Encourage students to share one thing they’re excited to learn in technology class this year.
      • Dismissal: Ensure all students log off properly and leave their workstations clean and organized. Thank them for their attention and participation.

Students need to know what to expect when they come to your class (or if you’re pushing in to their classrooms). Have a plan for your procedures for: how to come into the classroom, using the bathroom, how to ask for help, what the voice level expectations are, where to find extra headphones, mice, tissues, pencil sharpener, etc., what to do when it is time to go, where to line up, etc.

Get Creative

There are a lot of creative ways to do this, so don’t just have students sit and watch you present a PowerPoint. Make a Kahoot that shares silly facts about you with the rules and procedures mixed in. Make a Padlet and have students share a fact about themselves as well as answer questions about the procedures. Have students jump right on PowerPoint or Slides and make a Poster of the classroom rules to review their skills while also reviewing procedures (this one is great for your older students). Make a QR Code Scavenger Hunt of your room and where to find things. The point is, get creative and get the students involved.

Computer Station Cards

This is a dual-purpose activity I created for the first class. If you have access to glue, scissors, and colored pencils then this will likely fill your lab time on the first day. It also then serves as a resource for your students for the whole school year because they fill in website logins, computer lab rules, and the keyboard hand placements (I only do home row). Click on the picture to check out the Computer Station Cards.

Read a Book

I also love a good read aloud for the first day. The Computer Teacher from the Black Lagoon is a favorite of mine that is great for any grade level.

Grab it from Amazon (affiliate link)

Have Students Log In

I don’t wait to have my students practice logging in to their computers. It is a skill they will need forever so why not jump right in? For my youngest students I prepare labels or cards with their login info to have in front of them. One year I was really fortunate and the TA’s came for the first 10-15 minutes of class to help students get logged in (until they got the hang of it). For older students, I print a spreadsheet for each homeroom class with their usernames, which I store in a folder at the back of the classroom. I teach students that if they need to go look it up, it is there for them to access without needing my help. As new students join the school I hand-write their usernames on the spreadsheets.

General Tips for All Grade Levels

• Establish Routine: Consistency is key. Start and end each class with a similar routine to help students know what to expect.
• Positive Reinforcement: Use praise and rewards to encourage good behavior and effort. This builds a positive learning environment.
• Adapt to Your Students: Pay attention to how students respond to your teaching. Be prepared to adjust your approach based on their needs and feedback.
• Stay Patient and Encouraging: The first day is about setting the stage for the rest of the year. Be patient as students learn new routines and skills, and provide plenty of encouragement to help build their confidence.

By carefully planning your first day, you can set a positive tone and lay a strong foundation for a successful year in the computer lab.