2. The 1st Day! Know your routine for the day. -Planned Activities Dress Professionally! -Gives a good impression to parents! Greet students at door with a smile! -Creates a positive mood!
3. Organization! Have the desks organized to reflect your classroom’s atmosphere! The Famous 3-Tray system! 1. Completed Work 2. Late Work 3. Missed Work (For absent students) Develop a routine from the start!
4. Organization (cont.) Have on your schedule the important dates to remember! -Test Dates -Parent/Teacher conference dates Reward System -Know the reward system you plan to incorporate for your classroom!
5. Difficult Situations! CDB (Cool Down Break) DEAR Time (Drop Everything And Read) Ask students for suggestions! Just Breathe! Never loose your cool in front of the students…they smell fear! -They will forever know how to make you crash! Students will see how far they can push you! -Always enforce the rules to keep them from reaching “the line”.
6. Difficult Situations (cont.) Between fellow staff/parents/etc. -Acknowledge their feelings on the situation. -Ask open-ended questions. -Don’t discredit their view as wrong! -Try to understand their view on the situation. If an agreement or understanding cannot be reached… -Explain your reasons for leaving. -Be willing to accept any and all consequences.
7. Classroom Needs!!! Classroom Library (Your Responsibility!) Sales!!!!!!! Ask parents for donations! -Never say “No” if a parent asks, “Do you need anything?” Use the power of politeness!
8. Your Classroom!! Student Check in Procedures! Seating Charts! Folder System! Vacation assignments! Classroom activities! *Your Goals & Expectations!
9. Health & Wellness! Apply structure to your life outside the classroom! -Plan & Reflect! -Try to be flexible/look for solutions! Take care of yourself! -Work out -Personal hygiene -Keep a decent sleep schedule -Hobbies/Read
10. NEVER feel ashamed to ask a fellow staff member for help! -Chances are that they have been, or are, in the same boat you’re in! Try to meet with other teachers teaching the same grade/subject as you! -Lets you know where you, along with them, are on the course of the curriculum!
11. Some Helpful Sites! digitalwish.com -Grants available for the classroom! teachers-teachers.com -Job postings for every state! neamb.com -Resource for NEA/GAE members. pppst.com-Pre-made PowerPoint presentations! xtranormal.com -Make videos for out-of-class learning! prometheanplanet.com -Interactive activities!
12. Resources! Charlotte Frattini, “Welcome To The Jungle: Surviving Your First Year In The Classroom” GAE Volunteers, “How To Handle A Difficult Conversation”
