It's My First Teaching Job, Where Do I Begin???

SETTING UP A SUCCESSFUL HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM

Today's blog is a short one in a series I've decided to write and post.  It's all about ways to succeed with students and things I have learned by accident along the way.  I feel the need to pass these on.  

Most of them won't be in any book or article but in multiple texts, articles, and conversations I've had with many wonderful educators over the years.  It will address random topics and be in no particular order...a 'brain dump' if you will.  

Visit with your administrator often.  Be open, ask questions, and ask for help when you need it.  Listen and hear those around you.  Give yourself permission to learn and make mistakes.  Try things and reflect on how they do or do not work by journaling.  Share your ideas, they are valuable, know this!!!  Let those who are mentoring you know how you learn best and focus on that mode.  If you do not know how you learn, check out one of these links or find your own:  

http://www.personal.psu.edu/bxb11/LSI/LSI.htm


or

http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml

As you begin your school year there are so many things to consider before your students walk through your door.  The first thing you need to do is organize your classroom so students are successful.  When they arrive, you take time to explain exactly what you expect and how things should be done in "their" room.  You build the culture of the class, so to speak.  It usually takes me a week to prepare all I need so that I can be ready to teach my students how the classroom will operate so that we utilize every moment of time for instruction.  

Things I consider first (in no particular order) are:

-arrangement of desks

     What message do I want to send the first days of school?  Do I want them in rows,

     groups, partners? 

-seating chart preparation

    Looking at the scores from last years state test I carefully place students in a

    high/low or medium/low partnership.  I create a spreadsheet, place removable

    colored dots on it and begin to write their names and scores in pencil on them. 

-student station (see below)

  Students will need a place to go that has a calendar with assignments for the six weeks written on it, a place to use a stapler, hole-puncher, and a file for make-up work for students who were absent.  In my classroom this was always a table under a bulletin board with the calendar on that bulletin board.

-Consider lighting, what they will hear, and what they will see while spending time in their classroom?   I select lamps that give the room a homy feel.  I also select classical music and list the name of the selection on the board each day so that they know what I am playing.  I find that this has a calming effect on the, especially after lunch break.  Now, what should go on the walls?  This totally depends on your students and what they need.  I do, however, always place Bloom's stem questions and ESL stem questions on my wall to remind ME of a great way to ask purposeful high level questions.


-Decide on your expectations such as your cell phone policy, tardy policy, restroom break policy,  how to ask to sharpen a pencil and when, etc.  Planning for these little things now will allow students to know exactly how things work in class and focus on learning in the classroom.  
(Be sure to check with your fellow teachers to see if the school has certain expectations.)


-You will need to keep a Tardy Log, Tutoring Log, Parent Contact Log.  (These may need to be turned in to your appraiser at the end of the year.)

-Plan to greet students at the door and shake their hand at the beginning of each class.  This allows you to read the students and head off any issues before they walk into the classroom.  It also allows you to be build the relationship with them.  

-Always, always, always plan an activity for them as they enter the room so that you can take the first 5 to 10 minutes to take attendance, talk with someone who was absent, or work with a student who is struggling.  


Housekeeping to Prepare YOU for the year:

-Prepare a plan for your absence in case of an emergency so that you do not have to depend on others to help out here.  Your school will have you prepare a sub folder in most cases.  

-Know who to call or email when you are out and what system the district uses for reporting absences.  

-Do you need a parking space?  If so, who do you go to get that?

-Where will you eat lunch?  Is there a microwave, refrigerator?

-Where's the coffee, if you are a coffee drinker?

-ISS/ISIP, where are they and how do you get assignments to your students?

-Do you have a duty?  If so, where and when?  What do you do if you are going to be out?  

-Who are your go to people besides your mentor?

-Do you need keys?  If so, where do you get those?

-How do you get into your email and curriculum?



Please comment and leave your ideas I can add.  This is a fluid post.