Getting the New School Year Off to a Good Start
One of a series of discussions by Maryland's Teachers of the Year for new teachers. This topic gives some hints and tips on starting off a new school year well.
Question: Pre-service teachers are taught all sorts of stuff in college. They are taught about the history of education in America. They are taught about educational psychology and behavior modification theories. They are taught about lesson planning and assessment. Rarely, if ever, are they taught how to start the first day of the first few weeks of the first year of their careers. And very, very few pre-service teachers get the opportunity to witness or participate in the beginnings of the school year when they student teach. No matter what grade level you teach, share some tips for starting the year successfully and sanely.
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Involve students in the “rules of the classroom”. Make them feel part of the process so they will have ownership. If students feel as if they have a voice, they will respond positively! Establish routines early, and have students be a part of those routines when possible.
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It is vital that a new teacher get into their classroom as soon as possible to clean it, organize it. Before the students even meet the teacher, the room communicates what the teacher thinks about their job. The classroom environment set the tone and can determine the student's comfort level.
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Establish classroom rules written in a positive tone. Keep them short and sweet. You may want to think about required materials, tardiness, discipline, grading procedures, and classroom expectations. It's a great idea to have parents and students sign the rules and grading procedures while requesting an email address to open lines of communication.
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It is always a good idea to assign a fun yet telling writing assignment on the first day of school. Plan a fun activity where all students will be successful.
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Make lists! And keep them with you everywhere you go. Make a list of questions and possible contacts. Check them off as you get them answered. Make a list of things to do and update it daily or hourly. Seeing things get accomplished and questions answered will help you feel more grounded and less overwhelmed.
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Use other teachers as resources. Don’t forget support staff. Make connections with your team members and school secretary - they will be very helpful!
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Create seating charts and names. The best way for establishing rapport is to call someone by name.
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Establish strong lines of communication with parents from day one. I give each of my parents a magnet that has my email and school phone number so they can put it on their refrigerator. I also keep parent communication logs that document when communication occurred, why it occurred, what method of communication occurred, and the result of the discussion. Always try to keep a balance between the 'positive' and 'negative' communications that you make. Don't be afraid to tell parents you caught their child doing something fantastic!
For more information, try one of these links:
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Evolution of a Teacher - By Dr. Mark Littleton & Dr. Pam Littleton, Tarleton State University
Anyone who has objectively observed the initial years of a teacher can pinpoint events, incidents, and trends that add to the shaping of that teacher. This "shaping," or development, occurs gradually, through experience, and is accompanied by varying amounts of grief and stress. All of which is important, if not necessary, in the teacher's development and subsequent emergence into excellence.
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How to Survive Your First Year of Teaching - By Katie Eyles
Nearly half of all new teachers quit after the first 5 years. Many teachers go into the classroom unprepared for what they find: crowded classrooms, disruptive students, mountains of paperwork, and high expectations for teachers relating to technology and student achievement. Feeling alone, exhausted, and unsuccessful, many new teachers simply quit. While there are no absolute answers, following these five suggestions can help you avoid becoming a statistic and actually help you enjoy your first five years.
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