Welcome to a brand-new school year! What is your favorite community-building activity to help students get to know one another in the early weeks of school? We'd love to hear your best ideas.
....
Elementary age students enjoy activities where they describe themselves and decorate a cut-out, then have their classmates attempt to guess who they are.
hi
Human Bingo: Students get a card with bingo boxes. In the boxes are facts (likes to skateboard, owns a Game Cube, etc). Students have to meet each student in the room, ask what applies to them, and write the name of that person they just met in the box. This makes every student introduce themselves to others in the class.
Human Scavenger Hunt: Give each student a piece of paper with several boxes. In each box is a fact (likes to skateboard, has a cat, etc). Students must walk around and introduce themselves to every student and write the name of each student in the box that matches the fact.
I have them each describe on thing that is unique about themselves then I ask them to get into groups that link their unique interests.
I gave my high school students cutouts of gingerbread boys. They had to color them to look the way the students were dressed, and then pass them around the room. Each person then put a small tear or wrinkle in each cutout. When they finished, I asked them to smooth them out, and make them look new again. Then I explained that the tears and wrinkles were like words and actions. They can never be undone. It seemed to be a really elementary activity for high school students, but they seemed to really like it, and it made a good point.
One of the games I play is "Just like me". I make statements about myself like "I have a dog" and everytime a students hears something that describes themselves, they raise their hand and say "just like me".
Have a great year everyone!
Three Musketeers: Students are placed randomly in groups of threes. They then need to introduce themselves and find three things they all like, three things they all dislike, and one thing that makes each person unique. They then introduce one of their partners to the class and reveal one piece of information they learned from their discussion.
Students write one of their favorite recipes down. They explain to the class the history of this particular recipe. Throughout the year we will cook them. Great way to learn about the student.
I give my high school students this activity: Students write down three statements about themselves ( used to have red hair, went to Alaska this summer etc.) Two of them are true and one is false. Students in the class have to guess which statement is false. Have a great year!
Each child places 5 items in a bag that are hints about themselves. I begin and students guess what the object reveals about me; ie. a Halloween pin = My birthday is in Oct., dog leash= I have a dog, etc.. As clues are revealed we ask if anyone else has that in common with the person presenting. This creates a bond. Whoever connects the last clue gets to reveal next until all have had a turn. This could be split into two or more days.
these are all great activities,. I am going to use the just like me activity.
it is simple for the 1st day
Have a wonderful year of learning!
i can't print my 20% coupon
Help
I love Loft
The loft is the best!!
Absolutely love the clothes at the Loft.
Loft is great
Wooo Hoo loft!
Loft makes smart teachers!
On the first day of school, I have students introduce themselves to me rather than me calling roll. I ask them to describe themselves using an adjective that begins with the same letter as the name they want me to call them. For example, Audacious Anni
great ideas here!
nice idea
I am a speech pathologist. I love having my elementary students find different items throughout the room. when they find it they have to give me spatial terms describing where the item is.
Each day a special child is highlighted. We conduct an interview with them to find out what makes them special. The children love this. R. DeVore
Happy Back-to-School!
Teaching is the most rewarding profession!
Enjoy your year
Can't wait to go shopping!
I am excited about the new school year!
I am excited about school shopping!
Hello-
The discount is super, thanks! Is there a way to get the coupon like a credit card. Thanks!
Thanks for ideas and have a great school year!
i have the kids cut out a template of a person and they get to decorate them with clothes. I use glyphs for them to do their faces so I can tell who is an only child and how old they are etc. It is a great way to start the year and great hall decorations!
Hannah M. Fort Worth, TX 2nd Grade
PS It won't let me get to my 20% off... what do I need to do?
.
How fun to think about nice clothing when my mind is whirling around books, systems, assignments, papers, and files as the new year begins.
by sarahrrc
One down, 179 to go!! Just kidding.................!!
I really enjoyed reading all your comments and activities that's presented in the classroom during the first week of class. I hope everyone has enjoyed their first two weeks of school. Let's keep on trucking...we have several to go!
My main goal is to make students feel at ease as they get to know a new teacher and new friends. I teach ELL students and since english is not their first language, some of them are shy. So, I try to get them to smile. We sang songs, repeat our names, and try to get everyone to remember our respective names with simple repetition.
Michele, Clarkston, GA
New school year, new school for me! Anxious to help the students with guided reading groups.
Morning!
I teach a college class on diversity and have each student explain the origin of their name at the beginning of the year - it always opens up fun stories!
Lindsey, Indianapolis
starting student teaching day after labor day --- so excited!
An activity I do with college juniors in my Women and Writing classes on the first day is have them interview each other, and then introduce their partner to the class. I ask them to pick a non-standard format for their introduction. I've gotten things like a tabloid expose, a dating show introduction, and one student pretending to be Kelly Ripa welcoming another student to Live! with Regis and Kelly. It seems like an elementary exercise for college students, but it helps break the ice and create a sense of community. We often talk about touchy issues in the women's studies classes, so having the students get comfortable with each other early on is important.
I love shopping at the loft! It gives me a lot of options for beautiful professional clothing for school!
In Community College, my ESL students are so quiet at the beginning of the year. To build community, I have them discuss famous quotes with groups of classmates at the beginning of class each week. They often make friends with some people in the class and keep in touch. A couple of students became roommates because of this activity!
I like to play four corners. I use different topics such as: favorite movie, color, food, when there birthday is, hobbies. For example I would say if you like funny movies go to this corner, if you enjoy scary go to that corner, if you like SciFi go to this corner, if you like love movies go to that corner. The kids love it. Gets them moving and knowing little facts about their classmates. Also great game for reviews.
I love shopping at Loft.
Nancy
I am new to Loft!
I am new to Loft and look forward to great bargains.
I love that they give this discount to teachers!
Getting-to-know-you activities like answering a series of questions and then matching the answers with a student.
i love the LOFT!
Just joined.Can't wait for the discountsBell A.
Loft is great!!!
I have the students come up with one goal that they have for the year and then share it with the class.
I love teaching and shopping!!!
Can't wait to use 3 Musketeers with my high school students:) I am going to reward their group effort with mini musketeers. Thanks for the GREAT idea:)
Missy K
I can't wait to enhance my wardrobe!
I teach middle-junior high school and I like to play an introductory activity called 3 truths and a lie. Each student tells 4 things about themselves, 3 being the truth, and 1 a lie. I always go first. They try to decide which one isn't true. I am careful to not give away my "lie" by being too outrageous and I encourage them to do the same. They really have to focus on the person who is telling the truths and lies and it gives away a little of their personality in the activity. Some of the facts they give out are very interesting! Often the most outrageous facts they give are truths! Like they say, fact is stranger than fiction!
I love my new wardrobe!
I teach third grade special ed and I love it. I also love wearing the loft clothes to work!
I ask students to bring something to school in a brown paper bag that will reveal something about themselves. One boy brought a picture of his cat, another girl brought cookies from her mother's bakery-where she works on weekends. This way they get acquainted with each other.
I love shopping at the Loft. I also teach a college class, and the look is so professional & yet very comfortable-something every teacher needs!
by Laura S.
The loft is the perfect place for teachers to find nice clothes at a reasonable price!
by kim C
Just finished the first week! Its nice seeing the kids again and Im ready to get going!
The loft is great! It makes getting up in the morning easier if you have something nice to wear.
Love the Loft's Fall look!!
love the loft :)
I am a dance teacher and a para-ed. I find that from ages 4-18 -- if the majority in my class need a brain-release or something to take their mind off of their hard day --- we do 'shapes'. I know it sounds silly, but even the stuck-up or moody kids eventually laugh and whats fun is that they learn to be silly and semi-acceting of each other! I love my kids!
I teach adult ESL students and most of them are Latino. One activity I do with my class is I group students according to the state or country they're from. Then, they work together to draw a picture of their state and/or country on poster paper and prepare 3-5 facts or pieces of personal information. Each group presents to the class. Afterwards, I decorate the classroom with the colorful posters. This activity gets students to know each other, work together, and laugh. We have a good time.
Like my clothes from the LOFT!
I do a Group Ethic lesson plan which includes all the students in a variety of Theatre Arts activities.
Mirror, Guess the Leader,
Yarn Ball is always their favorite. I roll a huge yard ball together, we sit in a circle and we roll the ball to each child. They hold on to theit piece of yard and by the end we have a huge spider web.
In first grade we play a game called "That's Me!" to build community. The students stand in a circle and the teacher makes a statement such as, " I have blue eyes". Students that have blue eyes take a few steps inside the circle and shout out "That's Me!"
by Marjean
I am a school counselor in an elementary school.by Kathy B,.
i love shopping at this store:
I teach Spanish and love it and is wonderful to see how the kids love to learn another language
Great store!
Great Store!
Name Introductions. Students have to present their name in a creative way to the class to make it memorable for us all.
Name Introductions are a way I get to know my 9th grade English students. They must present their name to the class in a creative way such as telling a story, bringing in food that relates to their name, playing a song, etc.
Love the clothes
Yay I'm a member now.
This is exciting!!
For open house having our cameras at the ready to take our pre-K's photos allows the families to realize how the students are "our kids" for the year.
Can't wait to shop!
I teach high school and I usually start the school year by having the students interview each other and then introduce the interviewee to the rest of the class.
great!
what a blessing! thanks for recognizing teachers like this!
Thanks for recognizing teachers!
Always like to look good.
by sharon
I have my students do an all about me poster that they share with the class.
Its great to be appreciated as an educator!
yay!
I do the all about me poster also. So much fun to learn about the students!
My second graders always enjoy the Black Lagoon series. I always start with the Teacher From the Black Lagoon and we read a different one each day before going to that resource class.
Im excited to get shopping
shop shop shop!
I have older students interview each other and then introduce themselves to the group.
I'm a middle school teacher. I usually have my students write something that not many people would know about them on a card. Then we scramble up the cards and have students match up the cards to each other. It's a good ice-breaker.
by Debbie F
I teach middle school students. I usually have my kids write something about themselves that no one else would know (on an index card). Then we scramble up the cards and try to match them with the kids.
The color selection and styles for fall are "FABULOUS"!
I can't wait to be voted the best dressed teacher by using my great LOFT coupons! This fall line is incredible! Thank you for making teachers look great!
I usually have my students do an acrostic about another student and a collage of themselves. This helps us get to know them and for them to know another student.
I use a form where students go around the room looking for people who have the item in the box. It is fun, to go around the room and ask them questions.
Such great activities! I have had middle school and high school students create an acrostic poem using their first name...they use each letter to begin a positive quality that they possess...they love it and help each other identify their good traits...
what do others do to manage students with sensory issues in the classroom?
I often have my high school students interview a partner, then write a poem about that person based on what they learned. This is what I call their "outside self poem." Then each student writes an "inside self poem" about themselves. I have them write the poems on either side of a silhouette head profile made of paper. Then we hang them from the ceiling or post them on a bulletin board with the poem they want others to read facing outward.
I can't wait to use my new discount! Happy "back to school"!
I love shopping at Ann Taylor Loft. You have very stylish clothes that look expensive.
Happy Back to School
I am new to Ann Taylor ---Why didn't anyone tell me!!!!
Happy Back to school!
Just joined.
Just joined. Excited to start shopping!
I teach 8th grade math. Instead of assigning the students seats on the first day of school. I make up flash cards with integer problems and hand them to each student as they enter the door. They have to find the person that has the fact with the same answer as theirs. They then sit next to each other and introduce each other to the class. This is their assigned seat for the first few weeks of school!
I play 2 truths and a lie. The students tell to truthful things about themselves and one lie. I break the students into groups and keep track of which group can guess the most lies. It always ends up being a learning experience with a competitive edge.
Melissa...Richardson, TX
School for us NYC teachers starts this Wednesday! It is great to hear everyone's success stories thus far, as well as the different strategies for kicking off a great school year.
Kudos to Ann Taylor Loft for caring about Teachers ;)
I teach middle school in the midwest. I have my students complete an "All about me" poster or "Star Student " poster. I hang them around the room and have the students do a museum walk. When they are done, I ask them to share what they learned new about someone in our class. Since I have over 100 students in my room everyday, this makes for a great ice breaker in such a large school.
Regina
I am so excited to get shopping!!
Hooray Ann Taylor Loft discounts!
I am special education teacher in middle school. I teach seven grade students. The first day that I meet students, they must fill out a form named Whom am I? The purpose is to get to meet them better. Them they asked to draw a picture of themselves to find out how they percieve themselves.
I am a high school English teacher. I am currently working on my MA in Teaching and Learning with Technology. I'm interested to use some of the neat ideas I've read here in this forum!
I love the Loft!
Thanks for the great disconts and wonderful clothes. These bargains are a blessing since we have furlough days coming up.
by Ann Marie W.
I love having the children draw a picture of themselves and display them!
I start with giving the student an activity as they walk in the room. They need to solve a math problem to find where their seat is.
I pass out four strips of different colored paper to each of my kiddos. On blue, I have them write their favorite sport. Red-favorite book. Orange-favorite movie. Green-favorite family memory. Next, I have them work in groups of four to link all their chains together. Then I merge groups and eventually I have the entire class working together to build one long chain. Then we stand in a circle and everyone must be holding a link. I talk about working as a group and being part of our classroom community. I use the chain as a metaphor for our year. I always love to rip a link and hear them all groan! This leads me right into, "What do we do when one of our classmates, choose to make a bad choice or isn't at school...discussion." It is a great way to show them that everyone plays an important role in my class. Then I hand the room in my room for the rest of the year!
Lisa
Middle school students enjoy sharing their summer adventures and reconnecting with peers.
by Julie B.
Taking advantage of Labor Day, I will stop by Ann Taylor Loft. I am sure there will be some excellent sales and outfits to complete my closet! Thanks for such comfortable and stylish line of clothing.
Monica St. Louis
Students are given 8 to 10 questions and a piece of color paper. They must find the other student with the same color paper and then complete the "interview". They have fun finding out they have more in common than what they thought, especially if they have pets.
Can't wait to use my new teaching discount! :-) I'm also excited to start a new year - I teach computer software applications at a community college.
First, I LOVE the Loft. I teach a preschool class, and we started class this past week. The kiddos said their names, and we sang a song to introduce one another and ease the first day jitters. This coming week, we will be making a me puppet, out of a paperplate, yarn, and a tongue depressor; and macaroni and me necklaces. This is more tailored to little guys, but they are ideas! Happy shopping to all
"Friend" bingo is a good way to get to know each other!
Cynthia C.
Thanks
Find Someone Who... is a variation of the bingo game where you don't stop at five in a row, but keep going to get as many as possible.
I love loft
What a wonderful thing for teachers. Thanks to the Loft
AT loft is awesome
Name Placards: they write their name in the center of the folded paper. Then in each of the four corners, they write something about themselves. Usually I give them specific instructions like the following: write your dream college in the top right corner, your dream career in the bottom right, something you did over the summer in the bottom left, and the junior high you came from in the top left corner. They then share out in partners, then in small groups.
I can't wait to go shopping and get new school clothes just like my students do at the beginning of the school year!
Great place to unwind!!!
I pass out a card (half of an 8 x 12 construction paper). I ask kids to write their world in five words - a short phrase that represents who they are or where they are at this point in their life. Each kid then introduces himself and explains the five word phrase. It must be exactly five words. With no names on the cards, the next class period you can mix up the cards, give everyone someone else's card and play the match up game!
Anne Marie
Rochester, NY
ok
by Jeanette D
I love to conduct a Morning Meeting with my students each day. We talk so much about respect, honesty, and treating one another with kindness. It is a great way to begin the year with new students and create a caring classroom community!
k
loving loft
Yay!
just joined
by Debbie P
I appreciate the savings you are offering. Candy
Just joined! I teach 4th grade in San Diego, CA and am excited for the new year!
Anyone know of a way we can get computers for our classrooms? We are the only school in our district that has not had a technology refresh and we are in desperate need of computers that are updated!
Mingo is a great way for student to learn about one another! They each have a Mingo board, and have to "mingle" with the other students in the class and find who loves pizza, or has flown in a plane, etc. They get that person to initial the box, and the first person with Mingo wins. Usually, we keep going so the students get a chance to know their classmates! Thanks Loft:)
Tashia M.
Found a great pair of jeans today.
great year, great clothes!
Thanks for appreciating us LOFT. We LOVE the LOFT!
Jen A.
Teaching children has been my passion since my childhood years. That's why when I became certified to teach in Florida, it has become a mission to truly dedicate my effort for them. Upon learning that LOFT loves teachers, I hope we can be the never-ending engines to move our children to new heights, ambitions, and dreams!
There are several fantastic community-building activities listed here! I particularly like yours, Colleen and Heather!
Just joined!
I teach high school and on one of the first days I use a beach ball with a number of funny and interesting questions. Students pass the beach ball around and when they catch it they must answer a question (the question that is under their right thumb). It's a fun game and they seem to really like it.
hello
Off to a good year so far! Good luck to all teachers!
Good Luck this year!
For high school students, I have them get into groups without talking based on a statement I make. For instance, I'll say, "Find someone who has a birthday in the same month as you." Once they are in their groups then I have them introduce themselves and tell their group members two things about themselves that they probably didn't know. Then we change up the groups using the same process as above.
Laurie
Pinckney, MI
Thank you AT Loft!!!
I love loft!
Love loft!
Thanks for the coupons!
Thank you Loft! I like the ice breaker 'Two Truths and a Lie'. It gets the kids talking and interacting about who they are.
Thank you Loft! I love for my students to write positive comments about their classmates on a name tag.
Hi, I love Loft! Getting To Know Each Other: This icebreaker activity helps my students relax on the first day of class. I give them a list of things and they have find who in the class has the same things. It's great! there's a lot of laughing and surprise.
by Waleska O.
As a community builder I have a small lunch sack with five items and talk about each item as I share information about myself. Students are given a lunch sack and a few days to gather three to five items that must fit into the sack to talk about. The use of the sack requires students to only bring things that can fit in a backpack since kids sometimes lugged in HUGE trophies! It also used as a pre-write for a narrative on one of the items and as an "informal" speech grade.
I think I'm going to conduct a study to determine if students pay closer attention to teachers who are well-dressed!
Thanks Loft! love your sweaters!
I enjoy doing an activity where the kids answer a true and false quiz about me. They take the quiz and then discuss the answers. The kids then create a true and false quiz about themselves that other members of the class take.
I love LOFT.
Teaching is challenging, but it's definitely rewarding. Thanks for giving us an added bonus, LOFT :)
loft loves teachers, and I love you back! Thanks for helping out with my shopping addiction by giving me coupons, another excuse to shop!
I love to shop at Ann Taylor Loft
Go Ann Taylor Loft, go! Great quality clothes, perfect fit for business, casual and fashion.
love loft dresses for the classroom!
cool!
I love Ann Taylor!
very excited!
I think it is interesting the Ann Taylor Loft has taken such great interest in educators. I think this is a great idea!
Thank you for the wonderful clothes. I love your store!
This store rocks!!! Can't wait to use my discount!!!
Terrific
Liz O
as an elementary music teacher, the kids favorite beginning of the year game is playing the name game "Concentration" and trying to get me to confused! Thanks Loft!!
Thank you Loft! Can't wait to shop..Everyone have a wonderful school year.
Lori H
I love Ann Taylor Loft stores, the clothes really fit my body type.
Michelle O.
Your clothes fit me better than the clothes at any other store. Stick around!
I help my second graders create bubble maps and venn diagrams about themselves and their classmates. We usually create one for every two/three students during the first week of school. We get to know each other and how to use organizational tools we will continue to use throughout the school year. Wishing all a great year!
I shop at the Loft all the time! Thanks for your petite sizes:>
My students pair and share a personal story with each other. They share both stories to the class. The class hears the story and must guess which the story belongs.
I use a form with questions on it. The students have between 5-10 minutes to meet and greet everyone in the room. The only catch is that they must have every student in the room sign the paper and find out something about that person (i.e., Who has a cat? What is it's name?) The kids love it!!!
Let's all have a great year. And remember.... if you have a bad day.. shop, shop, shop
Have a great year!
I think it's wonderful that Loft is doing this to show their appreciation for teachers.
What a great find!
Thanks for caring.
Looking forward to helping my students be successful this year. Thanks for being willing to help me.
LOVE IT!
Sonja R.
Glad to know about this.
I love Ann Taylor-- I always find stuff I can wear to school-- Their clothes are sleek, professional and adorable!!! Thanks for showing appreciation for us!
Ann Taylor clothes are the most fashionable!
Great shopping experience
create nametags (Spanish names) and include 3 interesting things about themselves on the back. I collect and introduce them by their personal info on Day 2.
The LOFT is my favorite place to shop. Every item fits so well and I always feel wonderful in the clothing.
Love the Loft
Leslie O
I love Ann Taylor Loft! Great stuff for work :)
For your PRE-K community-building activity we create a class book where they all contribute a page all about them. They are allowed to take it home to look at over the weekend with their parents and during the week it's kept in our class library throughout the week. We also create a book for each student of their personal information and keep them in the library for our class. :) They love it.
Thanks!
I found out about this promotion through other teachers and I am looking forward to expanding my wardrobe at a lower price! Thank you!
Thank you. Teaching is difficult. It's nice to be appreciated.
Thank you it is nice to be appreciated. by Jenni Berke
I love the Loft. Thank you.
by Crystal C.
I was in a loft store in Richmond and asked for the teachers discount and was told that I needed to have some card from the loft sight printed out and on me along with my drivers license. Is this true? How do I get the card? I've already signed up obviously.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to celebrate being an educator through fashion. It is truly a blessing to shop at a discounted price.
Jacquelin Kirk-Jackson
I play lots of "getting to know you" games with my kids. I have them share what the did over the summer with me and then I ask the whole class "Guess who _____________ over the summer?" Then they have to try to figure it out. I also take their pictures and create a "Guess Who" powerpoint to practice learning each others' names. There's a great book called "Tribes" that gives many suggestions for building a classroom community.
by: Robyn C. Goodyear, AZ
I love the loft and all the great sales they have. thank you agnes N.
thanks for the chance to save on great fashions. Debbie N
thanks
loft is great! by ma wischnewski
love loft by maw
none
Thank you!
thanks!
thanx
by kyle l
Thanks for the opportunity to save some money and still look nice for my students
by kyleann
Thanks for thinking of us! Love the clothes, love the discount!
Just love the clothing and of course the discount!!
Love the Clothes, Love the Discount!!
Love the clothes and appreciate the discount
by Gina T.
My preschoolers bond through sharing, singing and imagining together.
Love the clothes (especially the new fall line) and the discount, THANKS!
I absolutely love the clothes! The discount is very much appreciated
Thank you for the discount!
Great to know that Ann Taylor Loft supports the role that teachers play in our society. Thanks for the discount.
great season
cristina
Amazing clothes:)
:)
Being involved in education is a pure love and a great career choice, even though it can be a challenge. Thank you Ann Taylor Loft for your support. I love the up to date choices of clothes!
In this day and age children view fashion as a sign of character for some. That is why dressing in a positive but up to date and fashionable image helps me to identify with my children.
Thanks for supporting teachers! Love you your clothes and thrilled to get a discount!
Thank you for showing your support of teachers!
Thank you so much for your support! What a nice treat for teachers!
Have a fantastic school year everyone!
Enjoy your year!
It is fab that a great discount is offered to teachers ...thank you
All the ladies at our school love the LOFT!!! We appreciate your support! The school year got off to a great start! I love how ladies of all ages can shop at the LOFT!
I make the children photo albums of their 3rd grade adventure, so the first morning of school is spent touring the building, unpacking their bookbags, finding desks and chairs that fit their bodies, giggling with classmates from last year, and smiling for their album. :)
.....
I love that the clothes at Loft are comfortable and affordable..that makes my job and my life easier
Love the Loft! Thanks for the discount.
Love all the specials lately! Thanks Loft!
I have joined --- when I visit the store or shop online, how can I prove that I am a member.
Before the first day of school, I send a letter home to the student/parent introducing myself. I ask each student to bring one particular item that they like. They bring these on the first day of school, but each student has to make sure no one else sees the item they bring. they can either bring it in a brown bag with their name on it. On the first day, I will give each student a sheet of paper numbered and with spaces, As the days go by I usually take out one item, and have each student guess who that item belongs and wirte the name of the person they (believe) is the owner next to the number. I also will throw one item about myself as well. After all the items have been revealed I will then give the master list to make sure that the students have some correct items. The student with the most correct guesses will win a prize.
I love the Loft!!
I love the loft!!!!
Thanks so much for the discount and fun, fresh, comfortable clothes!
Leslie R.
Loft is the one and only place I shop at. Love all the styles!!
I have my students create their own nameplate with words and pictures that represent them. Then I have them go around the room and see how many students they find that they have something in common with. We use this information to create a graph.
I teach Spanish language in NY
Thanks so very much for this wonderful discount for teachers.
I had my students draw a picture of a new student coming to our class. Each child had a piece of paper with their name on the back. They drew a circle on their paper and changed papers with a classmate who drew a new feature like eyes. Then, traded again adding a mouth, etc. Then, each paper was given to the owner. Last, they wrote a story about their new classmate by introducing themselves and telling them about our school.
Thanks, Loft, for appreciating teachers. We're definitely not in it for the money, lol, so it's really nice to be offered such a nice discount on such classy and comfortable clothes--and I love how they all coordinate so I don't have to think!
I've just started a new position as an Intermediate Technology Teacher, but with my fourth and fifth graders, my favorite beginning of the year activity was always: "Who am I?" I would have my students write a descriptive letter about themselves, using as many adjectives and clues as possible, but not revealing their identities, and then staple them to silhouettes that I would make of each student's profile. Then I would hold them up one by one, and read the letters aloud. The classmates loved guessing who they were, and they'd learn a lot about one another. Making the silhouettes takes time, but they are great in the hall, and for Open House... I would do them on the overhead with 81/2 x 11 black construction paper, the portrait/hot dog way, using a yellow crayon, while the other students were writing their letters. I'd mark a spot on the floor with tape where the students would need to stand, and hold the black paper up on the board with a magnet man, adjusting up or down for height. You must draw quickly, and students need to try not to move for the silhouettes to come out looking like them :)
P.S. If your coupon won't print, maybe this will work... Mine wouldn't print either, but once I closed all other windows, I was able to print. Hope it helps :)
For the middle school we make shirt shapes. The students write a few things about themselves on them, then we hang them across the room on a clothesline with real clothespins!
by Cindy G.
Thank you for rewarding teachers! As our school is a 6,7,8 school, our 6th graders are a little apprehensive to come to a new building. The week before school starts our PTO hosts an ice cream social where students and parents can come tour the school, see their teachers (who are setting up rooms) and practice the locker combinations. It is a fun way to alleviate the stress of a new school year!
When I tried to print the 15% coupon a pop up came up to send a fax. Now it won't respond at all when I click on the 15%.
Thank you LOFT for realizing that teachers' salaries are not what they should be and to offer specials for us.
Thank you Ann Taylor Loft.
thank you Ann Taylor!
thanks for appreciating teachers!
Thanks for appreciating teachers. We work hard and we want to look professional. Thanks for helping us to look the part.
Diane G.
Thanks for your support of educators!
Susie H.
You gotta love the Loft!!!
I just found out about your wonderful offer for the teacher discount. I am truly grateful for your appreciation for what we do as teachers. Thanks!!!
Lisa B
I like having my students create a puzzle piece (which I send home in the mail before school starts) that tells the rest of the class a little bit about them. On the first day of school we put the puzzle together. By the end of the activity students realize that, although each of our "pieces" is unique, we all fit together to form one perfect puzzle.
You are helping me start off to a great year with my wardrobe!
ALicia S
Thank you, Loft, this is wonderful!
Thank you Loft!!!
Thanks for being so good to teachers!!! It makes life easier, that's for sure!
Thanks!!
Thanks :)
I do a student scavenger hunt where students have different questions that are on a format like a bingo card. There are questions like who likes pizza, who flew in an airplane this summer, who has brown eyes, the girl with the longes hair, etc... The kids love it and it gets up and talking to each other. I also play with them.
Love the great tips! I'm a second year teacher and look forward to learning from you all!
I'm so glad I read EVERYTHING on the page! :)
hi teachers!
Thank you I have been teaching for 17 years.
I love teacher appreciation!!! Thanks so much! On the first day of school, we do an activity where kids create a self portrait. BUT - they have certain criteria. If there birthday is in January- March, they have to have yellow hair. April-June is red hair and so on. Their eye color is dependent on their favorite school subject. Their mouth shape depends on their types of siblings. The number of freckles is the number of letters in their name. In the end, their self portrait looks nothing like them, but there is so much meaning behind it!
I wish I knew about this when I was shopping all summer- I could have gotten a discount all along and saved some money! Oh well- at least a lovely sales associate at the store today told me about it!
Love it!
I am an adult educator. I love to play a game called "Who Am I?" I have my students post three post it's on a wall chart w/something unique about themselves that others may not know. (one thought per post it.) if the class is one week long, any time they look like they are losing interest, we play a round! I pull random post it's and announce what it says to the class. We then nominate who we think wrote the post it! It's fun to see how well we do or don't know each other! :)
Can't wait to use my discount
Muchas gracias. KT
i love the loft- thanks for giving us teachers a discount!!!
My students are given a paper bag with an index card and for homework they write their name on the card and place it in the bag and place 3 small items in the bag. The first two weeks of school I choose several "all about me bags" and show one item at a time with students guessing to whom it belongs. If no one has guessed after 3 items then I pull out the index card with the name. After guessing the student shares why those three items represent them or are important to them. The kids love this!
I like to have each student share a statement about themselves. Going around the room, for each statement, they can earn a small snack (candy, cheerios, cheese-its, etc. )
I like to go around the room and play a name game. Students learn how to incorporate a rhythm pattern while saying their name. Then the whole class says their name. It's a great way for students to get to know each others names (and great for me too!)
Thank you LOFT. It is so rare that people who actually make a difference in the world get a break.
Thumb Ball ... catch the ball and read the spot where your thumb lands; then, talk about it (I'm really proud of ...; Who would I like to meet ...; What makes me laugh, etc.).
by Rita B.
Speech Language Pathologist
I make a "Find Somebody Who" bingo board with events and/or favorite things from my life. After the kids find somebody who..., we talk about who they have things in common with. I then let them know that I have at least one thing in common with them all.
cute idea!
thanks, anntaylor loft.I love the style!
by Mariyana I.
Hi from val!
HELLO ALL, SARAH
I begin teaching for the first time in a couple weeks and would love any advice and tips on classroom management.
A unit on All about me, my family and my friends. I am a Daycare Director
Two truths and a lie is fun for small groups!
Thank you! Love the loft!
Ann Taylor Loft has great fashion for teachers!
love a good deal!
love loft!
Thanks for appreciating teachers, I wish more businesses would express this.
Karen
Thanks so much to the Loft for all of your teacher support and helping us look our best!
Pair them up and have them introduce each other after a few minutes of getting to know one another.
LOVE LOVE LOVE ATL!!
I like to have them interview a neighbor then share their interview - like little journalists!
For middle schoolers - have then line up according to their birthdates (month and day) from January to December...without talking to each other.
Thank you for such a great discount!
Thanks a million!!
This is fabulous!!! Great ideas and clothes!
Yippy looking forward to all the great ideas shared here.
I love your clothes. Everything you sell fits me. Nothing has to be altered.
by Eileen
Love the clothes!
This is great! Love your clothes and appreciate the discount for all of us out there!
I'm ready for the discounts!!!!
Loft is the best. Great style, value, and sales!
I am an elementary art teacher, and have a reputation of being the best dressed in the building! Guess where I shop! Love the styles, value, and sales! Mazie, michigan
I like the way you dress the mannequins so I can have an idea of how to mix and match
Thanks for the discount! Still trying to figure out how to use it... :-)
We cover our homework folders with pictures and captions. It is our All About Me folders. The students share the folders and then they can use them for seed ideas for our first unit of writing - Personal Narrative. . .
The students decorate their homework folders with pictures and captions. I laminate them and then we share them out. It helps them get to know one another and it helps them with seed ideas for our first writing unit, personal narrative. . .
Thank you for the help given to me when selectinbg outfits.
Love the idea of decorating homework folders
Great
thank you for sharing your feedback
Having playdough out on the first day of school is a great distraction and helps with "goodbyes"
I teach computer applications (technology literacy). My favorite beginning of the year lesson combines internet safety with getting to know the students. They each make a collage that gives personal information without giving out private, identifying information. I then hand the collages back, trying to guess which one belongs to whom.
We also decorate/personalize homework folders and share out. The kids love it and they last for the entire year!
by Casey P.
i play the m and m game. kids take as many or as few as they want and for each color it has a different meaning and they have to tell me one thing for each one they take
Our school holds a Back to School cookout. This not only helps the kids get to know one another but the families as well.
Great clothes!
Love the clothes. By Gail L. New York.
Thanks for all the great ideas!
My students say I dress so well--in style. BE Columbia, SC
I'm a speech pathologist in an elementary/middle school and Kimberly P's activity sounds as if it would be fun for my therapy groups and should help my kids in many areas of deficits. Thanks
Eda MB
Love ATL!
by JH
I shop at the LOFT so I don't look like a teacher :-)
Julie Mac
I shop at the LOFT so I won't look like a teacher :-)
In my fifth grade class, my students create personal license plates with letters/numbers and pictures that represent themselves. We then walk around the room and "bump" into each other, stopping to ask each other why we included the pictures and letters/numbers that we did. It is a great way for students to get to know one another!
Thanks Ann Taylor Loft! I agree with Julie M :) I love being a teacher but I don't want to look like a teacher :)
Most of my clothes come from ATL. My students frequently compliment me on them.
I work in an inner city alternative school - I am always on the run. Thanks ATL for the fashionable clothes and great discounts.
I work at a new middle/high school in Chattanooga, TN. I love your stylish clothes and how they fit so well.
by Dianne H.
I love the Just Like Me idea :)
So glad you give discounts to teachers! Thanks!
by Theresa H.
This is just awesome!!! and Carrie J. your License plate activity is a great socializing activity:)
We make a class puzzle "Each of us is different yet we all fit together". Each child and myself make a piece:)
Woo hoo!
Great mix and match ideas!
Love making a difference in the lives of children!
I love Ann Taylor Loft
I am so excited about these offers for teachers!
I know this has nothing to do with the topic, but I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice regarding Reciprocity to teach in a different state. I am currently in graduate school in NYC and will be graduating this upcoming May. However, I am relocating to Philadelphia soon after graduation. Can anyone offer any advice as to whether I should seek reciprocity or simply apply for a PA teaching license in addition to NY Should I apply for jobs in Philly before or after graduation?
Even on the days where I am tired and defeated, it's great to walk into class feeling good and looking professional. Thank you for appreciating teachers and giving the great discounts.
can't wait to fill my fall teaching wardrobe with loft!! :)
I'm a guidance counselor. We have small focus groups in high school where we talk about everything from pregnancy to transcripts.
I greet all of my students at the door by name for every class period--it makes them feel special and important :)
I teach early childhood educators at a community college so we do a lot of focus of community building with young children. We explore many "ice breakers", my favorite is linking hands in a circle and passing a hula hoop around the circle without breaking hands.
I have my 2nd graders create "All About Me" bags. We decorate the bags with pictures of themselves and they fill in the blanks in a pre-written poem about themselves. They take the bags home and, with the help of their parents, fill the bag with 4-5 items that describe them. The items can be pictures of family members, favorite toys, favorite snacks, etc. Once all the students have returned the bags, they get a chance to share them in front of the class. It is a great way for me to get to know the students and for the students to learn more about their classmates!
Hope everyone has a wonderful school year! :)
I love teaching...and Loft. Perfect!
I love the Loft. :)
I love the loft and the great affordable prices on a teachers salary!!!
I am so excited about Ann Taylor Loft having discounts for teachers
I love shopping at the Loft! :)
Can't wait to order and to be a part of this community. Thanks!
I am excited about shopping at the Loft!
LOVE LOFT!
Love to shop at Loft
Love the clothes at Loft
by Stella K.
Love Loft
Sherman Oaks, Ca.
shopping at the loft makes me nearly as happy as being a teacher!
I love the new fall line!
Thanks for the discount to us poorly paid teachers!
Thank you for helping us!
Thank you for helping us look great on a tight budget
The clothes and the accessories make all the difference in the classroom.
Thanks LOFT
Hi
Thank you, Loft! We love you, too!
Thank you, especially for your Petites!
Thanks, Loft.
h
Love your clothes! Thanks Loft.
Hello! Love the clothes!
Looking forward to the new savings!
Thank-you, Loft! Can't wait to use my coupon!
I work in a 5-6 school. We have Morning Meeting every day. The children are learning how to greet each other and share something that they did the night before. It is very interesting to watch some of the kids who have no problem sharing encouraging other kids who struggle with opening them selves up to others.
Tricia
Have a fabulous school year!
At our elementary school we have a school song that we sing every Friday on the announcements. It's a great way to build school spirit and welcome the new students into our school.
I'm so grateful for the Loft Loves Teachers program!
I just saw this and have found a new reason to love the loft when I thought there could be no other...
By Julie
In my college classes, I use many group activities to encompass a wide variety of learning styles. One thing I will be doing this first week is an Autograph Hunt. Make a list, pertinent to your field/subject to find someone who has..... (example in my intercultural class, I ask them to find someone who has been to more countries than they or someone who has attended a traditional wedding of another country or religion or who has bought a Eurail Pass, or who knows where Hyderabd is, or someone who has danced the Salsa, etc!) and they get one signature from fellow students for each item on the list. This gets them talking about their experiences together and they frequently find interesting things to talk about. It is such a great social ice breaker, they don't want to stop! I usually have at least 20 things on the list and they can only have one signature by each student.
Be|Positive
Be|Motivated
Marilyn B
Thank you so much....Hope everyone year is going great
Have a great Year
by Amanda J
I love the kids!
Thank you! lgd
Thank you so much for thinking of teachers. Love the clothes.
Jennifer M.
Great outfits for work!
Gail W.
love it!
Thanks Loft!
Leah L.
I have the students write down things that they like and then they search the classroom to see if anyone likes any of the same things. The activity helps the students see that even though they are different from others, in some ways they are the same.
Yah!
yeah to loft for helping us save $!
Yeah to the Loft!
by Mel M.
This year I used a circuit ball to build community. When we are all holding hands and connected the ball lights up and makes crazy noises. When one part of our "team" falls apart and disconnects, the ball stops lighting up and no longer makes noise. It was pretty powerful to my first graders!
Kerri
Columbus, OH
Hi! I love Ann Taylor Loft, it' s my favorite store because the clothes are stylish and classic but modern and comfortable. I used to work with Pre- Schoolers for a while but now I work at a university and with the clothes of ATL I always look very well dressed and they're affordable.
Hugs,
Bernarda
For pre-schoolers you can take advantage of the circle time and sing the "Good morning song" but asking them to mention their names and while they do this they shake hands, they love this.
Love Ann Taylor Loft-affordable and hugh selection!!!
perfect for work
I love being a member!
Never knew about this perk! I LOVE IT!
yeah!
i love the loft! and i love the kids!
by Mary G.
All about me stories, paper dolls and posters.
I have the students write their full names and other nicknames on a construction paper puzzle piece. The students decorate their puzzle piece and share their different nicknames and who uses each name.
What a great deal!
i cant print out my coupon and have been getting sales associates asking me my coupon. i cant print it. i suggest u get something in form of an attachment to a key holder?
So excited to join!!!
I have students find activities, foods, events, that they enjoy and find classmates who also as a getting to know you activity.
we play zip-zap-boing every Friday to close the week and start the weekend! 4th graders ROCK
play games and sing songs
I'm a studio teacher and work with kids of all ages in the entertainment industry. Things are slow right now, but when I am working, I try to make the work fun by playing games.
2nd graders are the best!!
In Kindergarten we have Me Day each day with a different student until all have had a turn. On a student's Me Day, they bring a bag to school filled with items that tell about themselves such as: family photos, favorite toy, favorite book, etc. They can also bring their favorite snack or treat to share with the class. Each child feels so special on their day!
Joyce T.
paying attention to each child, individually, and what they "just have" to tell you makes them feel special and gives the teacher an insight into what makes them tick!
Love being a teacher and looking so fashionable while teaching is a plus!!
Thank you LOFT.
Thank you LOFT! :)
Can't wait to use my coupons on the new white blouses.
I'm retired but love hearing from teachers and keeping in step. Always love looking my best! Thanks Loft!
Loft has great work clothes to wear in the classroom!
It's nice to feel appreciated!
I have my ESL students bring various pictures of their native country to school, ie. family, homes, schools, countryside, food, holidays. We then make a picture collage and hang them in the hall. The other students and teachers learn about the cultural diversity in our school. My ESL students and families are proud to share their heritage!
Marie A.
I love the circle time game. We go in a circle around the room and we take a koosh ball and time how fast it takes for all of us to say our full name and return the ball to the teacher. The children do it over and over, and will even correct each other if they don't say the full name! We will do it three or four times and it takes about 16 seconds each time.
i love loft loves teachers!
Thank you!!!
I love your clothes.
Thanks for showing appreciation in a real way!
I look forward to shopping!
I look forward to shopping.
Thank you for making a beautiful wardrobe more affordable.
Thank you so much for showing your apreciation to teachers in such a wonderful way !!!
by Karen S.
I have students fill out a survey answering various questions about themselves. Then we go around the room, they introduce themselves and tell 2 things about themselves. THEN, each student shares something about 2 other people in the room, whether it's something they know from the survey questions, or something they knew from the past. It's fun to see who knows each other and who relates to each other.
I look forward to joining
Thank you Loft for the Teacher Recognition!
Love Ann Taylor Loft affordable pricing & terrific fashions.LS
Love Ann Taylor Loft style and affordable fashions.Ann S
I am bummed that you don't consider Preschool for your children in needprogram. I am a public School teacher the same as any teacher in grades k-12........;(
Thank you
Testing 123
thank you for the coupon
I'm nowhere near a store; wish there were discounts for on-line purchases under $75.
Thank for the recognition and appreciation!
Thank you! bonnie m.
Thanks for sharing all of the great ice-breaker ideas!
Im so excited I am going to be the best dressed teacher :)
Porsche
My students notice I am coming out of the dark ages with my great selections from "the Loft". Susan N.
Thanks for thinking of teachers. It is great!
Cathy P.
I just found out about the Loft...love the comfortable shirts!
Thanks! So excited!
We play a game called The Cold Wind Blows. Every child stands in a circle behind a ruler. I start in the middle. "The cold wind blows for everyone who likes pizza" Anyone that likes pizza has to move to a new ruler. I take a spot. Whoever is left in the middle announces the next reason to move. Wearing a color, things you like, don't like etc. It helps them to see what they have in common with others. Once they have a turn to say something, I just trade them with someone who hasn't had a turn. Some kids tend to want to linger in the middle. Game is over when they have each had a turn in the middle.
I teach adults and high school students. I just have them partner up and learn three things about each other. They will then introduce the person they just met.
testing
Thanks to The Loft for helping teachers. Can't wait to use my discount!
by Karen C.
thankyou atloft
Thanks Loft! Here's to a great year!
Haven't shopped here yet but it looks like they have great clothes!
Really nice clothes for work!!
Thanks for the discounts.
by Marguerite R.
Thanks to The Loft, I am looking forward to shop
Thanks for Teachers discount
I always loves to shop at Loft.
Thank you for the appreciate how teachers look.
by Kristine N.
Thank you for showing us the love we deserve :)
Thank you for doing this for teachers!
We have a student "hunt" where students interview each other put appropriate names next to questions like "likes the same music as you" or "woke up earlier than you" etc...
How nice to shop for a discount! Thank you!
thank you!
Thansk.
I am a marketing professor. I use an ethnography research tool where students draw themselves wearing their favorite branded clothing, show their favorite: entertainment, destination, munchie, book as well as the one item they could never part. It not only helps them to get to know themselves, but it teaches them how marketers would be able to use this type of information and establish trends. If I were to draw myself, certainly there would be Loft clothes involved!
love the loft
carol m.
Thank You for the discount and a store so close. It makes life easier!!!
Joann G.
I can't wait to get my coupons!
by Fancy
I have students share ideas and have group discussions around the six themes they'll be studying this school year. Then everyone share out to the class.
I'm very excited to learn about this! I had no idea!
What great ideas! I can use them with my Spanish classes throughout the year.
Lori R.
Love it!!
I have students do 2 truths and a lie.
Thank you so much!
K.L.