Welcome Avatar

I had fun creating this avatar. I’m already thinking ahead to the first day of school and how I can use this. I have been teaching for 27 years, and every first day of school is the same. Well, some things do vary, but one thing always happens, and it cracks me up. I greet them (and sometimes parents) at the door, welcome them, give them their name badge, and ask them to read the board. They are to find their desk, set their things down (but don’t unpack yet), and go say hello to their old and new friends, look around the room, make themselves at home. Sounds simple, and some do it, but only for a minute. When the bell rings and I come in from the hall, they are all sitting quietly in their seats. You would think they’d be all chatty and excited, but no. They’re quiet, shy, and looking very scared. Is it me? Do they not read the note? I don’t know. I just know it happens every year, and only on the first day. After that, they’re chatty enough. This year I’ll have an avatar welcoming them instead of the note on the board. Throughout the day, I can have different avatars prepared to tell about all of those other things you need to tell the class on that first day. Less talking for me, more interesting for them.