First Week Activity Protocol
Have you ever wondered whether the activities you plan for the first days of school truly communicate what you believe about mathematics or science? The First Week Activity Protocol gives you a structured way to find out — before your students ever walk through the door.
This collaborative protocol invites a small group of colleagues to examine, describe, and interpret a planned first-week activity through a guiding question: What does this activity communicate to students about what it means to know and do math or science? Guided steps move the group from observation to interpretation to implications, with a focus on equity and access for all learners. The protocol closes with the presenter reflecting on new perspectives gained from listening to colleagues — turning the experience into an act of teacher leadership.
Whether you’re a first-year teacher or a veteran looking to strengthen your practice, this resource helps you open your classroom to critical, collegial dialogue from day one. Inviting colleagues into your work isn’t just good professional practice — it’s how teachers collectively improve teaching and learning for all students. Your first week sets the tone for everything that follows. Make it count.