Meet the class/teacher day - what do I do?

[SarfEast1cated]

First time I meet my first ever class (Y3) for next year. I have an hour with them. What do I do? I have been given a 'transition' sheet they can fill out where they tell me their favourite people etc, but can I be friendly, or am I meant to be "not smiling until Christmas?".

Am naturally warm and friendly but don't want to blow it. Am nervous help!

Be yourself (well, your teacher version of yourself)! Warm and friendly is good, and it will make your firm and stern all the more effective by comparison when it's needed. I've been a teacher for over 20 years. I still have to remind myself sometimes (after a tough week) that the kids actually behave better if I start out nice (even if I have to get a bit less nice later)!

Ignore the don't smile until Christmas with Year 3. Be firm but fair.
I would play name games - they have to introduce the person next to them to you and give two facts - so 'this is Darcy she has a cat called Tom and likes dancing'.

I teach secondary but our Year 6s when they are in write a letter of introduction after the warm up activities saying what they want that year - we revisit at the end of the year.
Perhaps you could do an activity like this - but simplified. Will give you an idea of abilities too

I tend to be a bit nicer than I usually am in September (don't want to scare them away) but also firm enough that they know I'm not a walk over. I also make sure that any non-negotiables, such as tucking in chairs/not calling out etc, are obvious from the start.

I find that they tend to be a bit 'rabbits in the headlights' anyway the first time you meet them so everyone is on their best behaviour, a bit like a first date

You smile on transition day! You don't have to be mean till Sept- you don't want them worried over the summer. Even then I think the don't smile till Christmas stuff is rubbish tbh- be yourself.
I usually get some bits done for a display but we have a morning. In an hour - a story and a brief activity?
You'll love year 3- old enough to be sensible but still young enough to bring you pictures!

Be friendly and warm. The don't smile til Christmas thing is something I learned the hard way isn't right.
You can talk about rules- let them come up with them. Then later , you make them into a display for them to see in September.
I would also do an ice breaker or two - e.g everyone stand up, then sit down if you are wearing pink socks, sit down if you have eaten toast for breakfast. Etc
Enjoy your class. I think being kind is important but that doesn't mean you are a doormat and the children know that.

Be nice, but also firm if required. You don't want the little darlings going home and thinking and telling parents that you are horrible. Just do some ice breaker type games e.g. without talking line up in birthday order, stand next to someone with the same shoe size, find someone with the same pet this one backfired when one boy said he had 98 cows and 23 turkeys. Good luck, it will be fine.

Thanks everyone! You've made me feel sooo much better. My first placement was in Y2 but my two most recent placements have been in Y5 so I feel a bit out of practice with the smaller ones. Hopefully it will come back to me.