In January, I spoke to MAT students at the
University of Pittsburgh. My friend, S, asked me to "give 'em the good stuff" and explain the real necessities of teaching and surviving the first few years. Here is the handout that I gave the pre-service teachers in the crowd. Enjoy!
YOU’RE A CERTIFIED TEACHER. NOW WHAT?
Mrs. T. Kocanuts
CLASSROOM ORGANIZATION
First Week of School
o Make an excel spreadsheet of all of the requirements for the first week of school: medical alerts, gifted and learning support IEPs, service agreements, required meetings, parking pass applications, substitute folder information, personnel information, etc.
o Buy a bulk box of craft sticks and a variety of colored Sharpies. Also, purchase small plastic containers for each class period plus one extra to store the craft sticks in for attendance. Place small labels with color coded numbers to identify each period. Have students write their names on each side of the stick with Sharpies. I utilize the craft sticks for attendance, selecting groups, random questions and many other things. They can be a valuable resource in your room. I still use mine almost every single day.
o Purchase a hanging file folder crate for each class as well as manila folders and hanging file folders. After students have finished writing their names on their sticks, have them write their Last Name, First Name on the tab of the manila folder. Double up students in hanging file folders. This is another valuable tool for so many different reasons: works in progress, all graded materials, handouts from an absence, passes, etc.
o Print out, in large bolded font, the names of the courses that you teach. Be sure to laminate. Also, you may consider printing out the words BEFORE, DURING and AFTER and laminate them, too. I use this for the objectives board. BEFORE signals students what to do prior to the start of class, DURING states the objective (great for observations, too) and LATER provides a place for you to put reminders or homework if you wish.
o Buy two to three inch binders for each of your courses and sheet protectors. Keep a chronological hard copy of what you have done in class, especially with test keys.
o Set up a google apps site for yourself and your students. Create a new gmail account that is not your personal account. Our school has a webapps account. You can create online calendars and also place all necessary documents in a secure and accessible site.
o Suggest that your students buy a binder with a clear pocket on the front cover so that they may put your monthly calendar in it. It really helps them with organization.
o Create a missed test/assessment folder. I write the names of absent students and the dates and place them in the folder. Then, on the front I keep a running tab of outstanding work. If a student is absent I place handouts in his/her folder in the back of the room but I write his/her name on the sheet.
SANITY SAVING TIPS
o Create a system for the hall pass. I use one of the craft sticks and students sign out and go. You don’t want to be constantly interrupted.
o Set up a class library with a lending sign out sheet. If you have extra books bring them in and make them available to students. If you don’t have extra books solicit some from your students’ parents.
o Make a supply station equipped with lined and blank paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, tape, staplers, correction tape, paper clips, tissues and hand sanitizer.
o When you collect lengthy essays or intricate projects, collect them in groups of ten. Grade ten at a time. I tell my students that they don’t want to be the 60th paper out of 60 that I grade.
o Buy an accordion file folder OR a portable document box for to be graded papers. I have mine color coded for each course that I teach.
o Photocopy two weeks before an assignment. As a rule, copiers never work when you need them to work. Consider purchasing a storage bin to place your photocopies in for easy access.
o Write your absentees on your desk calendar each day. Also, when you schedule make-ups place the period and name of the student in the corresponding date box. Save the calendars at the end of the month, just in case.
o Make your bulletin boards a class or group project. They will change often and you will always have current information on them.
o Place your mailbox key on your car key ring. At the end of day put your classroom key in your mailbox. You’ll never forget your keys again.
o If you are visual learner buy an inexpensive bookcase and place all of your important teacher resources on the shelves. You’ll be more likely to use what you see.
o Create a binder with all of your lesson plans from most current to oldest. If you are observed you’ll be able to find the information immediately.
o Know your district’s call off procedures. It’ll make things easier for you when you are actually sick.
o Go to your local news website and register for school delays and closings to come to your cell phone. You may find out quicker from the news than from your school district.
o Schedule your planning periods and evenings to maximize your energy. At the beginning of the week I select what I am going to grade during my prep time or study hall. I enter grades after school when I have very few distractions.
o Keep your door shut in the morning until you are ready for students to enter the room. You may just need extra time or a few silent moments to prepare for the day.
o Befriend secretaries, custodians and the librarian.
DISCIPLINE
o I don’t have discipline issues. But I can give you this piece of advice that has worked for me in a few situations: threaten an entire week of detention.
o Want respect? Give it. It is that simple.
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