Weekly Horizon Lesson Planner
Aug 19-21, 2026 First 3 Days of School
First Week Horizons
A relaxed, gentle guide to welcoming our new class
Classroom Suite
Welcome Transition
Relaxed Arrival Philosphy
The first week is about connection, procedures, and sensory safety. Keep the pacing loose, laugh off the unexpected, and focus heavily on building confidence!
The Narrative At-A-Glance
Wed Aug 19 Day 1
Focus: Sparks & Self-Comfort
- Playdough arrival warmup
- Hats activity & photo keepsake
- First-day packets intro
- Book: *Look Out Kinder*
Goal: Safe & happy departure
Thu Aug 20 Day 2
Focus: Fine Motor & School Space
- Glue dots & motor skills practice
- STEAM Lab tour & Specials (PE)
- "This or That" whiteboards
- Class Dojo & rewards kickoff
Goal: Flow & classroom identity
Fri Aug 21 Day 3
Focus: Discovery & Community
- All About Me poster creation
- The Missing Ocean Fish Hunt tour
- Virtues introduction
- First Dojo weekly celebration
Goal: Pride & complete integration
First Week Setup Needs
Fresh supply of playdough (x3 mornings)
Print First Day Hats, Packets & Posters
First day photo backdrop & props
Prep hidden "ocean fish" around the building
Set up Class Dojo profiles & reward jar
Transition Pacing Notes
If an activity is going beautifully and kids are engaged, do not rush to the next thing! Sensory play (like the playdough) can be extended if tears or anxiety arise. Keep the focus light, sweet, and filled with smiles.
August 2026 Launch Week Template
First Week Horizons • Back to School OVERVIEW • PAGE 1 OF 4
Day 1
Wednesday, August 19
Gentle Entry, Photos, & Simple Rules
Attendance Target
___ / ___
Soft Arrival (8:30 - 9:00)
Whole Group Playdough Activity
Have a fresh tub of playdough on each desk with simple cookie cutters or small rolling pins. Let kids play naturally, chat, and settle anxiety.
*Obs:* Separation check & sensory check.
Circle Time Block (9:00 - 9:30)
Introductions & Core Procedures
Simple greetings. Walk through basic rules using call-and-response. Practice lining up, sit spots on carpet, and the quiet signal.
*Obs:* Note students who need physical proximity.
Free Play & First Day Keepsakes
First Day Photos & Center Exploration
Let kids explore bins. Individually pull students over to take their first day of school photos with a colorful "First Day" frame template.
*Obs:* Center cleanliness & sharing observations.
Fine Motor & Lit (10:15 - 11:15)
First Day Hat & Story Time
Color and assemble "Look Out Kinder, Here I Come!" hats. Staple bands to fit heads. Read the book aloud to discuss first-day feelings.
*Obs:* Scissor skills and sizing.
Nutrition & Large Motor (11:15 - 12:00)
Snack Time & Playground Orientation
Help students practice opening lunchboxes and packets. Transition safely to recess. Learn boundaries of the outdoor play space.
*Obs:* Restroom reminders & lunch habits.
Guided Practice (12:00 - 1:15)
Whole Class First Day Packet Work
Model sitting at tables. Complete 1-2 pages of simple tracing, coloring, or matching to show rules in practice. Teach crayon management.
*Obs:* Pencil grip and attention span.
Closing Circle & Spiritual Story (1:15 - 2:00)
Review of procedures (cleaning desks, packing bags). Gather back on carpet. Read the comforting book "What God Says About Us" to end our first day on a grounding, positive note about worth and love.
*Notes for tomorrow:* Prepare Thursday's playdough and glue dots. "We made it through Day 1!"
First Week Horizons • Back to School WEDNESDAY • PAGE 2 OF 4
Day 2
Thursday, August 20
Fine Motor Mastery, Exploration & Systems Intro
Aide Focus
Specials Escort
Arrival & Fine Motor (8:30 - 9:15)
Playdough & Glue Dots Warmup
Quiet playdough table arrivals. Transition to glue dots fine motor worksheet—students place one drop of glue inside designated points to practice hand control.
*Obs:* Note students squeezing too much/too little glue.
Morning Meeting (9:15 - 9:45)
"What Would You Rather Be?"
Interactive circle read-aloud: *What Would You Rather Be?* Follow with playful choices (e.g., Bird vs. Fish). Review rules of speaking and listening.
*Obs:* Speaking with clear voice and raised hand.
Active Tour & Specials (9:45 - 11:15)
P.E., Music, & STEAM Lab Visit
Walk quietly to Specials. P.E. first, then Music. Take a walk to explore the STEAM Lab. Gather for storytime to read *"Forky"* with the specialist.
*Obs:* Safe hallway walking procedures.
Classroom Connection (11:15 - 12:00)
"This & That" Whiteboard Game
Equip students with small lap whiteboards. Ask silly binary preferences (Ice cream or Pizza?). Have them draw their choice.
*Obs:* Marker safety and drawing stamina.
Lunch & Recharge (12:00 - 1:15)
Lunch, Nap Time & Quiet Audio
Quiet rest time on mats. Use *Storyline Online* video stories in a darkened room for soft auditory engagement while recharging batteries.
*Obs:* Restroom rotation check.
Dojo & Fine Motor (1:15 - 2:00)
Tweezers/Marbles & Class Dojo
Fine motor practice: sorting marbles with chunky kid tweezers. Introduce *Class Dojo* monster avatars and the positive reward coin jar system.
*Obs:* Pinch grasp mechanics and focus level.
PM Recharge & Virtue Program Intro (2:00 - 2:45)
Afternoon snack and outdoor recess. Transition inside for Religion: a cozy, simple oral circle discussion introducing our virtues program. Conclude our second day by singing the official classroom daily Goodbye Song!
*Notes for tomorrow:* Cut playdough, hide ocean fish, print virtues worksheets. "Routines are feeling stronger!"
First Week Horizons • Back to School THURSDAY • PAGE 3 OF 4
Day 3
Friday, August 21
Tour Adventure, Community Connection & Celebration
End of Week Dojo Winners Awarded!
Arrival Craft (8:30 - 9:30)
Playdough, Cut & Stick Activity
Arrive to pre-cut playdough exploration. Move to table work: cut-and-stick paper puzzle strip activity. Finish off any remaining first week back packets.
*Obs:* scissor holding habits and independence.
Identity Block (9:30 - 10:15)
"All About Me" Poster Design
Design and sketch personalized "All About Me" poster templates (favorite colors, food, self-portrait). Hang up as the first classroom board display!
*Obs:* Pride in work and ability to tell favorite facts.
Play & Special (10:15 - 11:15)
Morning Snack, Recess & Spanish
Quick outdoor energy release with snack. Walk over to Spanish class and practice hello songs, counting to three, and simple Spanish vocabulary.
*Obs:* Smooth transitions with external teachers.
Interactive Tour (11:15 - 12:00)
The Great Lost Ocean Fish Hunt
Walk the building to meet staff (Office, Nurse, Library) while searching for cute hidden paper "ocean fish" that got "lost" in our school!
*Obs:* Walking with quiet hands and finding landmarks.
Lunch & Recharge (12:00 - 1:15)
Lunch, Nap Time & Storyline Online
Quiet rest time on mats following lunch. Turn on calm digital read-aloud animations via Storyline Online to assist children in winding down.
*Obs:* Transition to quiet floor play or sleep.
Religion & Finish Packets (1:15 - 2:00)
Virtues Intro: Faith, Love, Hope
Introduce virtues program (Faith, Love, Hope). Guide an oral discussion, color the virtues picture page, and compile any unfinished pages of the packet.
*Obs:* Abstract discussion feedback and coloring control.
Afternoon Snack, Dojo Awards, Songs & Dismissal (2:00 - 2:45)
PM snack and recess. Gather in a circle to announce Class Dojo weekly award winners! Finish the first week with a story, celebrate with classroom favorites, sing dismissal goodbye songs, and hand out backpacks!
*Notes:* Email class pictures to parents, file completed Dojo sheets. "First week was a gorgeous success!"
First Week Horizons • Back to School FRIDAY • PAGE 4 OF 4