New Teachers Advice?

Answer 1

Be nice and fun. Tell your students that if they respect you, you will respect them, also.


*****SUGGESTIONS*****

~Issue Bin~ For the students to write down a problem that they have, like "It's too cold in our classroom" or "Too much homework on this day". For the issues they write, have them write their name and the date on the back of the piece of paper. You, as the teacher, can make up issues that you have, like "You students talk too much" or "Too much name calling". Tell them that you have that issue and that it needs to be solved.


~Homework Buddies~ Assign the students with one partner. If a student gets any homework assignment late (not counting absents), that student and their homework buddy is out. Have a list of the Homework Buddies listed and displayed somewhere inside the classroom. Cross out the student's and their homework buddies names out on the list. For the 2 students that end up as the winners, have a prize, like a 4-square ball or stuffed animal for each of them. Have the Homework Buddies every 9 weeks, or whenever they get their report cards/progress report. Change the homework buddies out every 9 weeks, 6 weeks, or whenever they get their report cards/progress reports.


~Mailboxes~ I'm sure that you will probably have a lot of graded papers! You should have shelves that have at least 30 or more slots on it. Keep a bin by this shelf. Put all of the graded papers and flyers in the bin. Number each slot with a number starting a 1 and ending at whatever how many slots that the shelf has. Look at ~Weekly Jobs~ for more info on what to do!


~Numbers~ In alphabetical order, assign the students a number. Make sure that the students put their numbers on their papers for the mailbox people.


~Weekly Jobs~ Every week, I'm sure that you will need help!
You can assign jobs to your students. One job is mailboxes, where you assign 2 students to put the papers from the bin into the mailboxes with the students numbers in it. Line leader is another job. A girl will lead the girl's line and a boy will lead the boy's line. Another job is Check Off. Have 2 students check off homework. Have them highlight late assignments and put ABS when a student is absent!



GOOD LUCK!!!! =D

Answer 2

Be prepared to be overwhelmed. It's amazing how much teachers do and are expected to do all at once. By the second year, you won't be, so hang in there. Try to keep a sense of humor and have a way of unwinding at the end of the day. Be ready and willing to discard things that you learned in college that just don't seem to be working in your classroom. A lot of college education classes are more idealistic than the real world. Find a few veterans who are willing to help and share and don't be afraid to ask them questions, especially those little things that will help a lot. DON'T cry in front of the class, no matter how bad things may appear and don't let them know much personal information. Be firm, but fair and kind. Good luck!

Answer 3

Ask, ask, ask.

My first year was last year and I am now teaching a new grade level, so I know how you feel. Don't feel like you are a bad teacher if you ask something. Everyone has been there and knows how hard it is. Most teachers are more than willing to help

Ask parents for help with parties, inexpensive supplies, field trip supervision, even a bit of help in the classroom. Many, especially stay at home mothers, are more than willing to help.

Answer 4

Don't be afraid to ask your grade level team members for help!

Learn the culture of the school.

You didn't learn to teach in college...you jumped through the hoops and learned a little about what teaching is...you do not know it all...the only way to learn is on the job training--student teaching/interning gives you a small taste of what goes on...you still don't have the big picture---and working with your mentor and team teachers. Teachers are lifelong learners...there is always more to learn and someone always has a better way of doing it.

Become adept of "borrowing" ideas from other teachers and tweaking them to your style. Teachers won't mind sharing with you...they may even borrow from you.

Take all the help you can get from your colleagues...they know the school better than you, and can keep you from doing yourself irreparable harm:
.....I know of one first year teacher who decided he didn't have to listen to his team members when they told him what could and could not be done...he did a no-no and got caught, blaming others for his problems....he lasted one year...and hasn't been able to find another position...this happened several years ago...he's still can't get a classroom...even in neighboring districts!

Be enthusiastic! Potential principals like enthusiasm, so do the students when you get a classroom.

Answer 5

I think the one element that helped me most as a beginning high school teacher was when I started writing my lesson plans down in my planning book and putting them on the board for the students to see. Your plan needn't be elaborate, but it gives you and the students a sense of intentionality, enhancing their view of your professionalism at the same time. As they grew accustomed to looking at the lesson plan when entering the room, I noticed that they would get out the materials necessary for the first project before I had even asked them to do so. If we were going to have a vocabulary activity, for example, students would begin to review their list with a neighbor, getting a jump start on the activity and helping another student at the same time.

Answer 6

Lay down the rules first - then love them. So many teachers (new or not) make the mistake to try and get kids to LIKE them first....I totally believe if you lay down the rules first and let them know what's expected of them then they will like you for being a great teacher...not a great friend.
Final note: really depends on age also of children you are teaching.

Answer 7

I think the thing to teaching children is to show them that your truly care. Be honest and fair. This goes as far as taking care of the parents too. I have three children, two in school. I like a teacher who is nice, yet stict. Can't be a pushover or they will take advantage of you. Good luck. Go get them.

Answer 8

Start as you mean to go on, demand respect and give respect. Each child is an individual and works at their own pace. Children respond to praise use positive reinforcement for behaviour. Give clear boundaries and concequences if they cross them. Most of all enjoy the best job in the world, you hold each childs future in your hands.

Answer 9

Glad to answer this one. First of all "teach", don't just send the student(s) home with loads of homework. Don't become a crybaby like most teachers and go on strike for more pay.

Answer 10

Show no fear -- They can sense it! Don't take crap from any of them, that could backfire and ruin a reputaion. Try your best to be fair. Quality over quantity -- DON'T just give them busy work. They sre people, too -- talk TOO them, Not At them!

I've been teaching now for three years, and all is well. Good Luck!