Help Scholars Connect From Day One

The first day of school is just around the corner for scholars and educators. I love training educators in relationship-based restorative practices. Chris Wejr says, “Relationships are at the heart of all we do as educators. Knowing how to build relationships with students is a cornerstone skill.” ¹

How can you connect with scholars from Day One? It seems like elementary teachers have no problems helping children feel like they belong using engaging activities. But what about secondary educators?

Secondary Connections with Scholars

As a former high school teacher, I’ve heard students complain about how boring the first day of school with teachers droning on about the syllabus and rules. These can wait a day or two.

What if we spent the first day connecting students with us and their classmates? I made a “Me Board” that included pictures and items about my education, family, hobbies, and values that I shared the first day of school.

Don’t have time to make a board? Put some items in a decorative bag and share those. You could ask the scholars to bring two to three items the next day to share. Concerned they’ll bring inappropriate items? Here’s a guideline that worked for me. “Only bring items you’d be comfortable sharing if your grandma was in class.”

Being Seen, Heard, and Known

As a trainer, I’m partial to restorative circles. One of my favorite quotes is, “We feel connected to other people when we sense that they see us, know us, and care about us.” ²

Circles on the first day of school? Absolutely! Laura Mooimon, one of my go-to trainers has a 3.5-minute video, First Day of School Circle. ³ She is offering the corresponding handout for free during August 2026. ⁴ It is perfect as she offers instructions for adapting for younger scholars.

Need Ideas for Day 2 and Beyond?

Another favorite website is Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility. You can’t go wrong with their 54-page Activities to Start the Year: K-12 Lessons & Guidelines for a Caring Classroom that offers activities for scholars from littles though high school. ⁴

Let’s give our scholars the opportunity to belong on their first day of school.

“That’s what connection circles are about: being seen, being heard, being known, and developing affection.” ²

Sources

1. 2016. 6 Keys to Connecting with the Disconnected.
         http://chriswejr.com/2016/03/09/6-keys-to-connecting-with-the-
         disconnected/
   2016. Teaching Restorative Practices with Classroom Circles. Amos
         Clifford, Center for Restorative Process. https://www.osibaltimore.org/wp-
         content/uploads/Teaching-Restorative-Practices-in-the-Classroom-
         SUSD.pdf
   2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3K9AKr148s
   2021. First Day of School Circle. Laura Mooimon, LCSW. Free through
         August 2026. https://www.lauramooiman.com/offers/hUftmzke/checkout
2. 2021.
   https://www.morningsidecenter.org/sites/default/files/documentspdfs/Activities
   ToStartTheYear.pdf
3. Image. back-to-school 3 [vectorportal.com];
   [creativecommons.org_licenses_by_4.0]