This is a wonderful idea from Andrea Revel, a grade one teacher from Calgary Alberta.  Thank you Andrea for sharing it!
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On the first day of school, Andrea reads the book “Everybody Has a Rock.”  Each child blindly selects a pebble from the basket (she collected these from the Pacific Ocean).

Andrea tells the children that their rock is waiting for them and that it will choose them. I love this!  She says, “This is an interesting slant and it puts them in awe rather than being jealous of another child's rock.”  This makes each rock so special!  Genius!

Each child is responsible for putting his or her rock in the basket each morning and afternoon. Andrea takes attendance from the rocks remaining on the table.  She says, “It is symbolic of their presence and gives them a little more responsibility.”

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Andrea is a multi-talented teacher.  She is also an amazing singer.  Her voice is so beautiful – I hope she makes a CD for children soon – I'd play it routinely!

I highly recommend dropping by her website http://www.andrearevel.com/main/.
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I love this CD!