Copyright Š 1998 by Solution Tree (formerly National Educational Service) 304 West Kirkwood Avenue Bloomington, IN 47404 (812) 336-7700 (800) 733-6786 (toll free) FAX: (812) 336-7790 email: info@solution-tree.com www.solution-tree.com
Materials appearing here are copyrighted. With one exception, all rights are reserved. Readers may reproduce only the student worksheets, posters, and awards. Otherwise, no part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.
Many thanks to the following teachers, new and veteran, who shared their "getting started" experiences for this book: Tricia Bradshaw, Taneda Hailey,Tracy Madden, Catherine Munsee,Tracy Olson, Maureen Stack, Mark Sunada, Erica Suo, and Stephanie Williams. A special note of gratitude goes to educational consultant Joan McClintic for her advice and support.
Cover design by Grannan Graphic Design, Ltd. Text design by Joyce Vario Illustrations by Jane Yamada
ISBN: 978-1-932127-71-3
Practical Tips for New Teachers
Contents
Congratulations! You have made the decision to enter an enormously rewarding profession. No doubt you felt inspired to become a teacher because of the influence of teachers and other adults who have guided you in your life. You too want to communicate ideas, inspire and motivate young minds, and make a difference in your students’ lives. As you begin teaching, however, you will find that your ideals will bump up against some new realities. You are entering a profession that will make tremendous demands on your time and energy. The prospect of all these demands may seem overwhelming, but you can have a successful year. With thoughtful planning and a positive, proactive attitude, you will be ready to meet the many challenges that you will face.
Teacher’s Plan Book Plus #6 “Preparation” is the key word for launching a successful year of teaching. Teacher’s Plan Book Plus #6: Practical Tips for New Teachers will help you be prepared throughout the school year. Because planning ahead of time prevents many later problems, the resource section in the first part of this book provides guidelines and checklists to help you start the year off right. Next you’ll find weekly planning pages with valuable tips on such issues as classroom management, homework, instructional strategies, and parent involvement. In the resource section in the back of the book you’ll find more ideas to help make your year successful. You’re on your way to a challenging but rewarding year. Remember to have fun. Keep your sense of humor. And, with the help of Teacher’s Plan Book Plus #6, you and your students will learn a great deal this year!
Before School Begins
Making a Successful Start . . . . 2 Working with Other Adults in Your Classroom . . . . 4 Enlisting the Support of Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Managing Behavior in Your Classroom . . . . . . . . . 6 Preparing Your Classroom . . 10 First-year teacher Linda Scott, with a group of her students.
Planning the First Day . . . . . 13
A Special Dedication
The First Days of School
Linda Scott always knew she wanted to work with children. But her wishes were put on hold when, fresh out of college and new to Los Angeles, she became the second employee hired at Canter & Associates. She remained with the company for 18 years, moving from receptionist to increasingly more responsible positions as the company grew.
Beginning Your Role as a Teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
“It was during the time I was workshop and college course coordinator at Canter,” Linda says, “that I talked to so many teachers. I fell under the spell of how much they loved teaching. From listening to them, I knew it was hard work, but I wanted so much to do it. Marlene and Lee [Canter] encouraged me to go back to school and follow my dream. They rearranged my schedule to make it possible.”
40 Weeks of LessonPlan Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Always a diligent employee at Canter, Linda says of teaching a roomful of second-graders, “I have never worked so hard in my life—sometimes I stay till seven o’clock. My principal told me that I cannot be a 10-year teacher in my first year, but there’s always one more paper to grade, one more thing to read. And I want to try new approaches, new ideas. There’s so much you can do. It’s not just about teaching, either. You’re involved in committees and meetings.
Recognizing Student Effort and Achievement . . . . 98
“Sometimes the responsibility can be overwhelming,” says Linda, “but I love the kids! I love teaching. It’s fun. It’s exciting. It was the right thing to do.” With great fondness, this book is dedicated to Linda.
Getting to Know Your Students . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Week-by-Week Plans
Throughout the Year
Increasing Student Involvement . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Promoting a Classroom Community . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Helping Parents Help at Home . . . . . . . . . . 101 Saving Ideas to Use Again . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Making a Difference . . . . . 104
NAME:
WEEK BEGINNING:
SUBJECT:
M
Build trusting relationships with students.
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NOTES:
Rearranging Your Classroom
Now that you’re well into the school year, take the time to evaluate how your classroom is set up. To communicate that your classroom is a place where everyone shares equal importance, make sure students sit next to a wide variety of classmates. Paying particular attention that boys and girls are not seated separately helps to counteract research showing that teachers tend to spend most of their time in male-dominated sections of the room. The following strategies will help.
• Arrange seating by drawing names randomly out of a jar. • Seat students in groups by favorite pets, sports, foods, colors. • Seat alphabetically by middle names, street names, favorite names. • If you’re used to rows, ask everyone, on the count of three, to turn their desks and face the opposite wall, or try clusters. If you’re used to clusters, change the number in your groupings.
Interact with five of your quietest students.
© 1998 by Solution Tree. All rights reserved.
Every other week, or at least once a month:
• Have everyone sit in a U-shape, an O-shape, a V-shape or a double-E shape. (See page 10 for ideas.)
From a New Teacher… Facing Reality “Teaching means being so planned and so regimented on paper, but when it comes to the class, the paper doesn’t matter. It’s a living, breathing moment. It’s like throwing a party. It could be a flop or it could be great.” 45
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