Techniques for Dealing With New Students in the Classroom
Being the new kid at school sends anxious jitters through a student. Changing schools sometimes comes on the heels of a family's transfer to a new city, state or country. In other instances, students switch buildings when they advance into higher grades, such as starting middle or high school. Administrators and teachers suggest some techniques for dealing with new students in the classroom. These steps can ease a child's nervousness and bolster his self-esteem as he adjusts to different surroundings.
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Tours
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School administrators recommend a new student and her parents schedule a tour of the new school prior to beginning classes. This includes checking out classrooms, restrooms and locker areas. This visit helps her form an image of what to expect when she starts, according to the Apples 4 The Teacher website. An introduction to her teachers also lessens her fears, because she will have a sense of familiarity when school is in session.
Details
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School officials reduce a lot of youthful angst by furnishing information to new students before their first day of classes. Daily schedules are important, because a youngster might assume his new school starts at the same time that his previous system did, says Apples 4 The Teacher. He also needs a copy of the dress code, which might be more lenient or strict than his previous school.
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Icebreakers
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Teachers play a pivotal role when acclimating newcomers to their classrooms. For example, a fourth-grade teacher described to WWE Kids Magazine how she comforted a student who was removed from his home and transferred into a new school system. The child told his story through sobs. The teacher consoled him by admiring his WWE T-shirt and showing him wrestling heroes on various school posters. Classmates chimed into the conversation on wrestling mania, and eventually new friendships replaced the boy's tears.
Communication
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Advancing from elementary to middle school and later to high school can be intimidating to some students. Teachers sometimes visit kids in younger grades to build rapport with the youngsters before they transfer to new buildings, says the website Math and Reading Help. Middle school teachers also should meet with elementary school instructors to understand the transition points in the children's lessons. This ensures a logical continuation in school work as students transfer to different schools.
Bullies
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New kids sometimes endure taunts from their peers that lead to academic failure, depression and truancy, says the Family Education website. Parents need to step in and ensure that school officials do not dismiss bullying as normal behavior. Some schools follow buddy systems to acclimate newcomers and prevent harassment. Parents whose children are experiencing difficulties transitioning into new environments should invite other classmates into their homes, especially youngsters who also appear to be dealing with acceptance issues in the classroom.
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References
- Apples 4 The Teacher: A New School Year and a New School: Tips for the New Kid in Class
- WWE; Teachers' Corner; Teacher Uses WWE Kids Magazine to Help New Students Feel Welcome; 2009
- Math and Reading Help: Ways School Staff Can Help Children Transition to Middle School
- Family Education; Bullying the New Kid; Connie Collins
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
