poetry

First Day of School Poem for 2008-09 School Year

Stacey Shubitz

I’ve decided to share the poem that has been on my door, since my first year of teaching, with my students this morning. It’s by Jeff Moss and is called “On the Other Side of the Door.”

I love, LOVE, L-O-V-E this poem for so many reasons. First, it lets kids know that they’ll be safe in the classroom. Second, it invites children to take risks. Third, it shows that their ideas will be respected and treasured. And it all happens on the other side of the door.

While this poem doesn’t address first day jitters, I think it’s a great poem for me to share with my kids on the first day of school (TODAY!) since it captures the attitude I want each student to have when they cross the threshold of our classroom door each and every morning for the next 180 days.

For everyone who is heading back to school today, GOOD LUCK! Have a wonderful day with your new students.

 

Published by Stacey Shubitz

I am a literacy consultant who focuses on writing workshop. I've been working with K-6 teachers and students since 2009. Prior to that, I was a fourth and fifth-grade teacher in New York City and Rhode Island. I'm the author of Craft Moves (Stenhouse Publishers, 2016) and the co-author of Jump Into Writing (Zaner-Bloser, 2021), Welcome to Writing Workshop (Stenhouse Publishers, 2019), and Day By Day (Stenhouse, 2010). I live in Central Pennsylvania with my husband and children. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, doing Pilates, cooking, baking, making ice cream, and reading novels.

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