How would you integrate a new student into your class? A student can be new to the school at any point during the year. What if this student came into your class after winter break? After spring break? How can you help this student without slowing down the rate of other students learning? How could you help this student learn all the classroom rules and routines?
If I had to integrate a new student into my class, I would prep the students before by reading a book or explaining to them the feelings our new friend might have. We could also do an activity creating something for the new student, such as a welcome banner or a little book to understand the classroom's rules, what our day usually looks like, a map of the school, etc. When the student would arrive, I would make the class do an icebreaker again, just so the student doesn't feel singled out when introducing themselves. We would resume class just as normal, but I would assign the new student to a buddy to get used to the class a little easier. In between subjects, I would pull them aside and ask how they are doing, and give positive reinforcements to ease any anxieties about coming to a new school.
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