First Day Lesson Guide Teacher Resource • Page 1
First Day Lesson Guide
6th Grade Transition • Day 1 Support
Self-Paced / Day 1
Classroom Launchpad
Teacher Tip: Classroom Readiness 6th-grade transition can be overwhelming. Keep language direct, visuals clear and readable, and emphasize safety, predictability, and support. Have physical copies of students' schedules ready to cross-reference immediately!
1 Welcome & Connections
🗣️ Teacher Script - Introduce Yourself:
Share how long you have been with our school system.
Share how long you have been teaching/working right here at West Lee.
Explain that there are actually two Ms. Suthers in our school, so students know who is who!
Talk about what you enjoy doing in your free time (favorite hobbies, pets, etc.).
Share the fun fact that you also drive a school bus!
🖥️ Meet Your Leaders & Support: Project the school website staff list. Point out these key faces:
Principal: Leads our whole school building and community.
Assistant Principals: Help organize school days and support classrooms.
Front Office Staff: Help you with check-ins, sign-outs, or late passes.
School Nurse: Here for you if you feel sick, hurt, or need medicine.
School Counselors: Here to listen and talk with you whenever you need support.
📊 Middle School Check-In: Ask students to rate their first-day feelings using their fingers (1 = super nervous, 5 = super excited). Validate all responses. "Middle school is a huge step, and it is completely normal to feel a mix of emotions today!"
❓ Schedule & Tech QA: Give time for schedule questions. Ask: "Did anyone get lost? How did you like open campus? Do you know where all of your classes are? Do you know how you are getting home?"
2 West Pride Rules Presentation
Open the West Pride Slides presentation. Guide students through our core expectations of the classroom.
🤝 Interactive Discussion: There are built-in activities on each slide for students to engage with the presentation. This helps guide a class discussion and keeps students from sitting passively.
Focus on positive reinforcement. Make sure to praise students who are demonstrating these expectations during the walkthrough!
West Lee Middle School • Room 104 Page 1 of 2
Teacher Resource • Page 2
First Day Lesson Guide
6th Grade Transition • Day 1 Support
Self-Paced / Day 1
Classroom Launchpad
3 Corner Clash Active Game
An active get-to-know-you game designed to get students moving and speaking without high-stakes social pressure.
🚶 Directions: Designate the Left Side of the room as Option A and the Right Side as Option B. Read the choices from the tracker aloud. Students walk to their preferred side of the room.
✏️ Defense & Tallying: Record their choices on your Corner Clash Tracker . For each round, ask 1-2 students to stand in place and defend their choice in 1 sentence. This helps develop oral communication and sharing opinions with the class!
4 Math Connection: Favorite Number Equation
For today's math connection, use the pre-created worksheet where students will create an equation that matches their favorite number.
✍️ Whiteboard Modeling (Crucial Step): Before distributing the sheets, write your own favorite number on the board in a big circle (e.g., 12). Model how to write different equations that equal that number. Write: "10 + 2 = 12", "15 - 3 = 12", and "6 x 2 = 12". Show them that equations can use addition, subtraction, or multiplication!
💡 Walkthrough & Practice: Walk them step-by-step through the process of picking their own number and crafting their equation. Encourage students who are stuck to start with addition (e.g., Target is 5, write "4 + 1"). Provide counters or number lines to help them check their calculations!
5 Take Home Welcome Connection
📂 Welcome Letter Distribution: Distribute printed copies of the First Day Welcome Letter .
Instruct students to carefully place this letter in their homework folders or take-home binders to share with their parent or guardian tonight. Explain that it helps families know how to get in touch with you!
Warm Connections Clear Expectations Parent Slip
West Lee Middle School • Room 104
West Pride Slides WEST LEE MIDDLE
ROOM 104 • 6TH GRADE
West Pride Rules
Your blueprint for an amazing first year in middle school! Let's explore how we shine together.
Welcome, Rockets! Slide 1 of 6
What is PRIDE?
WEST PRIDE
P
Prepared
Ready to learn, materials set.
R
Respectful
Kind words, listening ears.
I
Involved
Join in games and lessons.
D
Determined
Keep trying, even when hard.
E
Empathetic
Help others feel welcome.
Five Keys to Success Slide 2 of 6
P Preparedness
RULE 1
What it looks like:
Sitting down when the timer hits zero.
Having your pencil, notebook, and binder ready.
Taking a deep breath and clearing your mind.
Active Challenge
Gear Up Showdown!
Show us you are prepared right now! On the count of 3, hold up these 2 items:
1. A Writing Tool
2. Your Binder
Ready to Learn Slide 3 of 6
R & I Respect & Involvement
RULE 2 & 3
What it looks like:
One voice speaking at a time.
Raising your hand to share your big ideas.
Encouraging classmates when they speak.
Active Challenge
Active Listeners!
Let's practice! Keep eyes on me and listen carefully while I speak. When I finish, show me a Thumbs Up if I was showing good listening, or Thumbs Down if I was distracted.
Teacher: Read a quick paragraph looking at the ceiling, then repeat it looking at the students!
Every Voice Matters Slide 4 of 6
D & E Determination & Empathy
RULE 4 & 5
What it looks like:
Sticking with it, even when a math problem is tricky!
Showing support if a friend makes a mistake.
We are a family in Room 104—we rise together!
Active Challenge
Turn and Talk!
Find a partner next to you. Take 1 minute to answer:
"What is one nice thing we can do for a classmate who is feeling nervous today?"
Kindness and Courage Slide 5 of 6
Corner Clash Tracker Teacher Tool
Corner Clash Tracker
First-Day Active Icebreaker & Engagement Assessment
6th Grade Support
Classroom Launchpad
Gameplay & Observation Instructions
Designate Left Side (Option A) and Right Side (Option B) . Have students stand and walk to their choice. Tally responses. Ask 1-2 students per round to defend their choice. Use this to observe: processing speed, confidence, social comfort, and speech output.
Round Options (A vs B) Tally / Winner Student Defense Notes 1 🍕 Pizza Slice
vs. 🌮 Crunchy Tacos
| Tally: __________ | Student: _______________________
Defense: ______________________ |
| 2 |
🎮 Video Games
vs. 🚲 Playing Outside
| Tally: __________ | Student: _______________________
Defense: ______________________ |
| 3 |
☀️ Hot Summer Day
vs. ❄️ Snowy Winter Day
| Tally: __________ | Student: _______________________
Defense: ______________________ |
| 4 |
🐶 Playful Puppies
vs. 🐱 Soft Kittens
| Tally: __________ | Student: _______________________
Defense: ______________________ |
| 5 |
🎨 Drawing / Art
vs. 📚 Reading / Stories
| Tally: __________ | Student: _______________________
Defense: ______________________ |
| 6 |
🌅 Early Morning Owl
vs. 🌌 Late Night Gamer
| Tally: __________ | Student: _______________________
Defense: ______________________ |
Post-Activity Observational Notes
🗣️ Communication Style: Who expressed ideas easily? Who needed prompt questions or sentence starters?
🤝 Social Dynamics: Who followed peers to avoid being alone? Who was excited to express unique choices?
West Lee Middle School Classroom Management Tool
Me in Numbers Worksheet Math Connection
My Favorite Number!
Room 104 • West Lee
6th Grade
Name:
Date:
1 Pick Your Favorite Number
Think of any number that you love! It could be your age, jersey number, or lucky number. Write it inside the big circle on the right.
My Target Number
2 Build Your Equations
Now, write an equation in each box below that equals your target number. You can use addition (+), subtraction (-), or multiplication (x). Follow the teacher's example!
Addition Box
Write a plus (+) math problem that equals your number.
=
Target
Subtraction Box
Write a minus (-) math problem that equals your number.
-
=
Target
Free Choice Box
Choose any math operation (addition, subtraction, or multiplication) to make your number!
?
=
Target
West Lee Middle School • Rockets Math Math is all around us! Welcome to 6th Grade!
First Day Welcome Letter West Lee Middle School
Welcome to Room 104 • Support Team
Date: August 11, 2026
Subject: First Day Welcome
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! My name is Ms. Suthers , and I am absolutely thrilled to be your child's classroom teacher for this landmark 6th-grade transition year.
While this is my first year officially leading my own classroom here at West Lee Middle School, I have spent the last 4 years working proudly within our local school system. I actually spent the past 2 years collaborating with families and teachers right here at West Lee, so I am very familiar with our curriculum, our community, and our amazing students. (Fun fact: there are actually two Ms. Suthers in our building, so if you hear about another one, now you know!)
My goal this year is to foster a safe, warm, and highly structured environment where your child can thrive academically and socially. We will work together on core skills, organization, self-advocacy, and building deep peer connections. Today, we kicked off the year by introducing school leadership, establishing our West Pride Rules , playing an icebreaker game called "Corner Clash," and starting an informal math kickoff worksheet called "Me in Numbers."
I firmly believe that open communication between home and school is the ultimate key to student success. I will keep you updated on progress, celebrate your child's milestones, and address any transition hurdles immediately. Please feel free to reach out to me whenever you have questions or ideas!
Email Address
ms.suthers@westlee.k12.edu
Classroom Phone
(555) 019-2834 ext. 104
Thank you for trusting me with your child's education. Let's work together to make this their best school year yet!
Warmest regards,
Ms. Suthers
6th Grade Support Lead • West Lee Middle School
Parent/Guardian Contact Slip (Please complete and return)
Student Name:
Parent/Guardian Name:
Best Phone #:
Preferred Email: