Yesterday, I went to my local teacher store to pick up a few things for the upcoming school year... this was the earliest I have EVER been. My student teacher from last year (who has been hired as a teacher at another elementary school in town... lucky them!) asked me to help her with what she really needed.
Not to brag, but I'm kind of an expert on being a new teacher. Haha.. I've actually taught 1st through 4th and even though I wasn't a brand new teacher with each move, it felt like I was in some ways.
So I remember that feeling of being so excited that I finally had a classroom, but also being so overwhelmed by what I really needed for my classroom... one of everything??
I spent some time brainstorming what I think are some important things for new teachers to consider. Remember to give yourself a break! You don't need to do it all in the first year.
What New
Teachers Might Need:
o Mailbox System
o What will you use?
§ Traditional mailbox system
§ Shoe storage (This is what I use because it is sturdier than
the cardboard)
§ File box
o Organization System
o Daily folders or bins or drawers
o Master copies: binders
or folders?
o Will you use a file cabinet?
o Plan book
o Buy or create yourself (PowerPoint, Word)
§ I love creating my plan book myself. This way you don’t have to rewrite your
schedule in and you can tailor it to fit your needs.
§ Will you make a teacher binder? Definitely worth the effort! I’m tweaking mine soon, I’ll update you on
the newest version!
o Grade book
o Buy or create yourself (PowerPoint, Word)
§ Again, I create my own grade book. I don’t have to rewrite the students’
names. I can set it up any way that I
want.
o Theme or rotate seasonal decorations: Will you have a set theme for the year or
will you change it depending on the season?
o Monthly calendar for room (will you do this?)
§ date cards for calendar
o Schedule cards: pocket chart
or on board?
o Borders
o Bulletin board paper
o Accents
o Bulletin board displays
o Letters for bulletin board
o Nameplates
o Labels for hallway hooks or lockers
o Job chart
o Pocket charts?
o Discipline/Classroom Management plan
o Whole class?
o Individual?
o Small group?
o Communication with parents
o Daily binder?
o And/or weekly binder?
o Find a way to communicate the positive as well as concerns
o Supplies
o What does your school have available?
o You will always need:
glue sticks, pencils, erasers, scissors, folders
o Sub folder/binder/tub
o Make sure that a colleague knows how to find it
o Plan for arranging desks
o Groups? Rows?
o How often will you change it?
§ I always change at the beginning of the month. This doesn’t mean that I won’t move someone
that needs it.
o IEP Accommodations Cheat Sheet
o Will you have another adult in the classroom?
o What space do you have that can be theirs?
o Will you set aside supplies for them?
§ I have created Teacher Toolkits in my classroom. These are two caddies specifically with
supplies for teachers in my classroom.
What do you think new teachers need?
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