Helping Classmates Help Newcomers

RESOURCE UPDATE! 8/4/2023: Click here, secondary teachers: I have added a new resource that is aimed towards high school audiences that shares the same ideas.  


HELPING CLASSMATES HELP NEWCOMERS: Before They Start School

I'm often asked about how to have conversations with students who are getting a newcomer student in the classroom, especially if this doesn't happen a lot in your community. Oftentimes, kids are eager to support each other and want to help, but they don't always know how. If you know your elementary class is going to have a newcomer student, here is a quick Google Slides Deck to share with your class.  This can serve as a starting point to help you guide discussions with students. You might also share this blog post & resource with a classroom teacher who is receiving a new student before the student starts.

Please note that you can go to File, Make a Copy, and Edit this presentation to meet your needs. You may wish to include language from your SEL curriculum so that students don't see this as something "extra" or different. Having explicit conversations about ways to be more inclusive helps support a healthy classroom community!


Feedback on this project is always welcome! Please email me at carlymspina@gmail.com. 

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