Helping New Students Fit In

Topic SentenceComing to a new school is hard, so we should figure out how to make new students feel welcome. New students have to fit in with new classmates in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar rules. Body SentencesThis problem can make them feel lonely. Instead of just expecting new students to make all the effort, we can help them fit in. One of us can volunteer to show the new student around and sit with him or her at lunch. The rest of us can introduce ourselves, learn the new student’s name, and share something about our school or ourselves. Ending Sentence Together, let’s make our school a friendlier place to be.

A Welcoming Solution

Beginning ParagraphBeing the new kid is hard. I learned this two years ago when I arrived at a new school. It was scary because I didn’t know anyone. I felt lonely for a long time. Every school year someone else experiences this same feeling. Opinion StatementOur class should carry out a plan to help new students feel welcome.

Middle ParagraphsSomeone new arrives at school at least once a year. Coming to a new school means being around all new classmates, teachers, and rules. It’s easy to feel like a stranger. This lonely feeling makes it harder to learn and fit in. New students shouldn’t have to feel this way.

My class can make life easier for new students by using a buddy system. Before a new student’s first day, we will have the new student make a list of his or her interests. A classmate who shares one or more of these interests will act as the new student’s buddy for the first week. The buddy will demonstrate how to get around school, explain classroom rules, sit with the person at lunch, and hang out at recess. The buddy will also introduce the new student to other classmates.

The second part of the welcoming plan involves a group effort. During the new student’s first week, all classmates will take turns asking, sharing, and learning. For example, they will ask the new student’s name and where he or she is from. Then they will share their names and something about themselves. Finally, they will learn what the new student likes to do.

Ending ParagraphBoth parts of the plan will make current students responsible for helping new students fit in, not the other way around. Coming to a new school is hard enough. We shouldn’t make new students do all the work to fit in. Let’s reach out and help them feel like they belong.