I am a new teacher. How do I establish my Grade 5 classroom in the fall?

Question

University did not properly teach me how to establish a classroom at the beginning of the year. I need some tips. Thanks!

Answer 1

It never seems like University prepares us well enough for that first day.
First off, don't freak out over decorating your room. You'll have plenty of time to do that throughout the year. Make sure the room looks cheerful and welcoming for students.
As for seating arrangements, I like to let my students draw tickets to corresponding desks at the beginning of the year. They feel like they have some control over where they sit. Don't be afraid to change seating arrangements later on if what you start with doesn't work for you. During my first year of teaching, I changed seats so often that if a month went by, students got antsy because they were expecting a fresh start.
Spend the first day (the first week, really) making sure students are familiar with your expectations. Post them in the room, let them create skits to show the right/wrong way to do them (whatever), and be firm with the consequences AS SOON AS someone doesn't follow an expectation.
The more organized you create your classroom, the easier it is to function (for you AND them). I'm still working on it myself. Have designated places to turn in assignments, and have procedures for when it's okay to sharpen pencils and whatnot. Make sure students know these procedures upfront. That's one of the issues kids are anxious about.
Don't feel like everything has to be perfect for day one. You'll have plenty of time to figure out exactly how you want your classroom to be, and chances are, you'll end up changing loads anyway. The great thing about kids is that THEY want that order themselves, so they'll come up with all sorts of questions you won't have the answer to (but will soon make up). Best of luck!!!

Answer 2

Go in early to decorate a week before and get to know your room... create a milieu that reflects who you are, what you plan on teaching your new students as well as what you want them to remember. This can be quotes, music, art, kids playing and thing. Get to know your admin, secretaries and care takers. These will be your supports throughout the year.
Feel good about what your walking into.


At the front of your class a use good quotes- 'Failure is not an option' and another that says 'I'm trying.... is not good enough' or the little engine that could.


First day set up a seating plan( its not permanent), it helps you get familiar with the names. You can also move your students around freely. Some kids don't wait until the honeymoon period is over.
Call everyone Mr., (sir) or Ms. just for fun. They need to know that you have a sense of humour. Remember grade 5's.

Establish classroom norms. The things you want them to do throughout the year..... [please, thank you, clean up, being on time, no name calling, talking things out, raise your hand before speaking, washroom passes, return equipment when borrowed and anything you can think of ]. Include these things in your lesson plan.

Show your students that your human. Share your summer(appropriately) and allow them to share.

Answer 3

put up some bulletin boards (the kind made with cork) and tape some colorful paper over them. Put these all around the walls. On the first day of school, tell the kids they can bring in their own stuff, like comic strips or drawings, to put on the walls (also tell them they have to show you first so you can make sure it's appropriate) and tape or tack it onto the boards.. Tell them to put their names on their stuff, and that you will take all their stuff off the boards at the end of the grading period.

Have a little spot on the chalk- or white-board that you have sectioned off with blue painter's tape (so it's colorful and will also come off easily at the end of the year.) Write the homework assignments in this section.

Always have some extra lined paper and a couple extra pencils in case someone needs it (but don't let them leave the room without returning your pencil).

You could have a lost and found box and if anyone leaves stuff on the back of their chair or in their desk (if you have more than one class in that room) it goes there, and all that stuff is donated on the last day of the marking period.

decorate the door on the outside so it looks inviting.

put the desks with the opening facing toward the kid (my math teacher last year didn't do that and everyone hated it.)

let them pick where they sit on the first day, or first week, or whatever, so you know if a group will disrupt your class and you can move them for you seating chart, but don't keep a seating chart for longer than a marking period.

okay, good luck with your class!

Answer 4

I don't know where you are going to teach but I wish it was at our school, we really need a Male 5th grade teacher.

Answer 5

most schools will assign you a teacher mentor,they will be more than happy to help you !
Have a great school year ! !