June '07 Blog#1: Something You Wished You Did BEFORE The School Year Started

Before the school year started, I wished that I could have already seen what was to lie ahead, so that I could accurately prepare for it. Since that didn’t happen, here are a couple of things that I wished I would have done.

Written the majority of my lesson plans for the first month. Since the beginning of school is completely hectic and very chaotic, you really don’t have all of that extra time you thought you had to do things. Among the 500 forms and 1 million assemblies, you still have to find the time to complete lesson plans.

Had ALL of my procedures in place. MTC did a good job of kind of preparing me for the procedures that I would need in my classroom, but I don’t you actually realize how important just simple procedures are until you get in the classroom. When you’re thinking about procedures, think: What’s easy for me and helpful for my students and wa la, you have your procedures. Think about everything that could possibly happen in the classroom (cuz, hey, it just might happen) and have a procedure in place for that.

Thought of other classroom management methods. When I started the school year I had 8th graders and writing assignments, but when I finished the school year, I was teaching 9th graders and detention. Writing assignment worked well with my 8th graders, but they were a hassle with my 9th graders. If you teach different levels of students, have appropriate classroom management tools in place. Listen to other teachers and see what they use, also have a couple of good ideas stored just in case you have to revamp your plan between maturity and grade levels.

Had my school supply list ready. After I assessed my room, I should have made a list of top priority items and least items, and then submitted them both. You will probably have enough EEF money, so use it to buy the things you need and to do the things you want to do. Which leads me into my next shouldacouldawoulda.

Had a vision for my classroom. If you want to take you kids to the local zoo during an Ecology lesson, then have those thoughts in mind and on paper. Chances are that there is money somewhere in that school; you just have to find it. If you have these things in mind then someone, maybe a mentor teacher, can assist you with your goals and it makes you seem really smart and organized that you have these things planned out.

Bought many manila folders and sticky tabs. As an effective teacher you have to be organized and have time management skills.
Realized that grading papers isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It seemed so much more fun when I was in the 5th grade.

Realized that students are a great resource for handling a lot of classroom problems. Ex. Turning off the light for presentations, cleaning up the room, erasing the board, grading papers, taking important papers to the office, and the list continues!

Bought many tapes to record my favorite tv shows. Sometimes I was not finished grading and/or doing MTC homework and had to sacrifice Grey’s Anatomy. (This should have NEVER happened!)