Kindergarten 1st Day of School Activity
Primary Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Bulletin Board and Student Letter
Jun 18, 2009
Incoming Kindergarten students are often nervous about meeting their new teacher, spending all day in a new classroom, and going to school with all those big kids. These anxieties can take some of the fun of out the first day of school.
Kindergarten teachers use the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault [Simon & Schuster, 1989] at the beginning of the school year to get students excited about their new school and teacher.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Welcome to Kindergarten Postcards
Kindergarten teachers can ease first day of school nervousness by sending kids Chicka Chicka Boom Boom themed postcards during the summer to welcome them to their new classroom. The postcards include a personal note to each student from the teacher.
To make the postcards Kindergarten teachers can purchase blank postcards from a stationary store and print them on a computer using the template that comes with the cards. Teachers can also design and print out welcome postcards using blank cardstock that is printed and then cut to the desired size.
Teachers use a word processing program to write, “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! Can’t wait to see you in my room!” on the front of the postcards. A coconut tree clip art graphic can be added to the design and letter stickers can be stuck on the tree for added decoration. On the back left side each teacher writes a personal note to each incoming Kindergarten kid and on the right side writes the student’s address. The postcards are sent one to two weeks before the first day of school.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Beginning of School Year Bulletin Board
After the Kindergarten kids receive their welcome postcards they are excited to see what is in store for them in the classroom. Teachers can create a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom themed bulletin board to welcome Kindergarten kids on the first day of school.
To create the beginning of school Chicka Chicka Boom Boom bulletin board teachers cover the board with bright orange and pink paper and use poster board to cut out a large coconut tree for the center of the board. The words, “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! Look Who’s in Our Classroom!” is placed above the tree. The teachers then cut brown coconuts out of cardstock and place them on the tree.
Each incoming Kindergarten student’s name is written on each one and a photo of each student is added above it. On the first day of school the teachers read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to the students and have the kids add letters to the bulletin board.
Kindergarten teachers can begin the school year with a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom theme to help kids adjust to and get excited about their new classroom. Before school begins teachers send home personalized Chicka Chicka Boom Boom welcome postcards to introduce themselves to students. On the first day of school Kindergarten students can read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom with their teachers can and letters to a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom themed bulletin board featuring each student.
For more Kindergarten lesson plan ideas featuring the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom teachers can read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Elementary Lesson Plan. For more reading lesson ideas for the first day of school primary teachers can read Beginning of School Primary Lesson Plan.
 |
