COMMUNICATOR
PROBLEM SOLVER
CRITICAL THINKER
Communicator
Problem Solver
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Collaborator
Creator
The First
Three Weeks
Developed by the MTSS Team
Start Strong. Build community. Thrive together.
PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE
COMMUNICATOR
Communicates with poise, organization, and purpose, while also being an active listener that acknowledges and understands different viewpoints to build and maintain positive relationships.
PROBLEM SOLVER
Able to identify, investigate, analyze, connect knowledge and resources, and communicate relevance of a problem or challenge to the world around them.
RESILIENT LEARNER
Exhibits perseverance and the capacity to be self-directed, independent, adaptable, and confident when engaging in new learning or when confronted with challenging situations.
CRITICAL THINKER
Practices self-reflection to question, evaluate and consider multiple perspectives, applying a wide range of approaches when problem solving.
CREATOR
Confidently tries new and innovative ideas inspired by the world around them, challenges existing boundaries, using imagination, skills, and talents while being willing to fail in the process.
COLLABORATOR
Shares ideas effectively, respectfully, and flexibly within diverse teams to accomplish a common goal, while demonstrating shared responsibility with a focus on developing high quality products.
How to Use These Slides
At Bakersfield City School District, we believe a successful school year starts with strong community and positive relationships. As Rita Pierson said, “Kids can’t learn from teachers they don’t like”—and they can’t thrive in classrooms they don’t feel good in.
With valuable input from BCSD teachers, The First 3 Weeks was created to support classroom communities and set the stage for 180 days of learning. Inside, you'll find strategies, resources, and activities to help build a healthy, engaging environment aligned to our Portrait of a Graduate competencies.
We encourage schools, grade-level teams, and teachers to use this tool not only during the first three weeks but also throughout the year. The planning guide includes required tasks (like the social contract) and a menu of optional activities—feel free to use your favorites or try something new!
And don’t forget our Community Building Slides, offering daily lessons in belonging, social skills, wellness, prevention, and Toolbox/Second Step resources. Visit our website for more!
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Grades TK-K
Grades 1-2
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Restorative Classes
Week 1 TK-K
Communicator
Problem Solver
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Develop 3 strategies to start establishing relationships (page 1 now, page 3 during year), relationships log
Use BCSD’s Community Building slides
Plan how to incorporate Portrait of a Graduate Competencies,
Community Building for TK Resource
Greet your students each day using “Four at the Door” or a “Greeting Routine”
Start implementing mindfulness activities
What’s Missing Activity and Song (POG)
Create a classroom Social Contract using District poster provided
As a class create a weekly class affirmation or commitment. “I pledge to…” Coordinate with the school 5 Be’s.
Practice Procedures and Routines (more resources)
Teach School-Wide Expectations by area in that area (i.e. playground expectations on the playground)
Week 2 TK-K
Communicator
Problem Solver
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Continue practicing strategies to establish relationships, relationships log
Resilient Learner “Bounce Back” Activity and Song (POG)
All About My Teacher (choose an activity from the folder)
Practice Procedures and Routines (more resources)
Use BCSD’s Community Building slides
Plan how to incorporate Portrait of a Graduate Competencies,
Community Building for TK Resource
Week 3 TK-K
Communicator
Problem Solver
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Continue practicing strategies to establish relationships, relationships log
Watch a Perseverance Movie Clip
What’s Missing Activity and Song (POG)
Create a class Secret Handshake
Practice Procedures and Routines (more resources)
Use BCSD’s Community Building slides
Plan how to incorporate Portrait of a Graduate Competencies,
Community Building for TK Resource
Week 1 1st-2nd
Communicator
Problem Solver
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Develop 3 strategies to start establishing relationships (page 1 now, page 3 during year), relationships log
Greet your students each day using “Four at the Door”
Start implementing Mindfulness Activities
Create a classroom Social Contract using District poster provided
Practice Procedures and Routines
Teach School-Wide Expectations by area in that area (i.e. playground expectations on the playground)
All About Me Activity (choose an activity from the folder)
All About My Teacher (choose an activity from the folder)
Week 2 1st-2nd
Communicator
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Problem Solver
Continue practicing strategies to establish relationships, relationships log
Positive Affirmations to start the day
Watch a Perseverance Movie Clip
My Dream Classroom: an Authentic Learning Project
Week 3 1st-2nd
Communicator
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Problem Solver
Continue practicing strategies to establish relationships, relationships log
Positive Affirmations to start the day
🕵️♂️ "The Mystery of the Mixed-Up Classroom!": an Authentic Learning Project
Week 3 1st-2nd
Show examples of expected behavior:
Watch/Play the videos to show being Respectful, Courteous, Patience Kindness, Friendship
Week 1 3rd-5th
Communicator
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Problem Solver
Use BCSD’s Community Building slides
Develop 3 strategies to start establishing relationships (page 1 now, page 3 during year), relationships log
Greet your students each day using “Four at the Door”
Start implementing Mindfulness Activities
Select a Read Aloud on an SEL topic and have a discussion
All About Me Activity (choose an activity from the folder)
Create a classroom Social Contract using District poster provided
Week 2 3rd-5th
Communicator
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Problem Solver
Use BCSD’s Community Building slides
Continue practicing strategies to establish relationships, relationships log
Select a Read Aloud on an SEL topic and have a discussion
All About My Teacher (choose an activity from the folder)
Choose a Read Aloud, Collaborative Activity, or video on building Character
Team Stack: Students will work collaboratively to build cup formations
Week 3 3rd-5th
Communicator
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Problem Solver
Use BCSD’s Community Building slides
Continue practicing strategies to establish relationships, relationships log
Introduce Reflective Journaling
Create an Anti-Bullying comic strip, directions
Stacking Paper Cups with Rubber Bands Activity, directions
Continue to teach school-wide expectations by area in that area (i.e. playground expectations on the playground)
Week 1 6th-8th
Communicator
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Problem Solver
Use BCSD’s Community Building slides
Develop 3 strategies to start establishing relationships (page 1 now, page 3 during year), relationships log
Greet your students each day using “Four at the Door”
Start implementing Mindfulness Activities
All About My Teacher (choose an activity from the folder)
All About Me Activity (choose an activity from the folder)
Practice Procedures and Routines
Continue to teach school-wide expectations by area in that area (i.e. playground expectations on the playground)
Create a classroom Social Contract using District poster provided
Week 2 6th-8th
Communicator
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Problem Solver
Use BCSD’s Community Building slides
Identity through Self-Portraits
Personal Identity Wheel
Continue practicing strategies to establish relationships, relationships log
Week 3 6th-8th
Communicator
Resilient Learner
Critical Thinker
Creator
Collaborator
Problem Solver
Use BCSD’s Community Building slides