Preparing for next year...

[BuBerry3]

Good morning fellow teachers...

I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful resource to be able to discuss education with other teachers.

I am writing this morning because I am a new teacher and am moving to AZ during the summer to teach a 6th grade class next year. It is a year round school so it will be starting at the end of July

I am wondering what you suggest I can get done this summer before I am in AZ, in my classroom, to be prepared for next year. I have started to create my classroom management plan and am looking into books for read aloud. I know the math program we are using but don't have any materials yet. I want to make sure I am organized above all else so I can walk in and be prepared for any subject or material. I hope this makes sense.

I can't wait to hear your suggestions! Have a lovely day.

P.S I have to say I am just so excited for my very first classroom! And cannot wait to get started!!!!

[wig]

Congratulations! I also teach 6th grade. Before I respond, could you elaborate n what you will be teaching? Is it departmentalized and you are teaching math? Is it self contained? Are you team teaching?

The one thing I will say is half of any battles you may have will be taken care with procedures (for everything) you can live with and enforce and class expectations for behavior. The key is consistency. I know not all agree, but after 35 or more years in the classroom, I found Harry Wongs book the best for procedures and Love and Logic for expectations.

[Chef Dave]

I am writing this morning because I am a new teacher and am moving to AZ during the summer to teach a 6th grade class next year. It is a year round school so it will be starting at the end of July!

Welcome to Arizona!

Whereabouts will you be living? I'm in Thatcher which is two hours east of Phoenix.

One tip for you? Familarize yourself with the state standards. They're online at the state website.

http://www.ade.az.gov/

[Ms.Champion]

Hello there!! Congrats on the new position. I as well teach 6th grade language arts and science. This was my first year teaching. In 19 days, I will have one year under my belt. YAY!!! :-D

I guess, my suggestion I could give to you is, be consistent. This is where I got into to trouble...a lot. The kids figured out that I say a lot of things but don't following threw w/ my threats or demands. I have learned how to be more forceful now, but at the beginning of the year and middle, they walked all over me.

Another thing, would be to give them jobs. My kids LOVE to run errands, help around the room, etc... This gives them an incentitve to behave in class.

I also reward my kids with homework passes. The kids will sure straighten up for a homework pass in a heartbeat...they hate homework at that age.

Let them learn from each other. Sometimes, they can teach something 20 times better than you can. It would have to be real structured (again another area I learned the hard way in).

Anyway--hope that helps. And congrats again!

[BuBerry3]

Congratulations! I also teach 6th grade. Before I respond, could you elaborate n what you will be teaching? Is it departmentalized and you are teaching math? Is it self contained? Are you team teaching?

The one thing I will say is half of any battles you may have will be taken care with procedures (for everything) you can live with and enforce and class expectations for behavior. The key is consistency. I know not all agree, but after 35 or more years in the classroom, I found Harry Wongs book the best for procedures and Love and Logic for expectations.

Wig,

Thanks for such great questions! I should learn to be more specific :) I am going to be the 6th grade teacher for math, reading, writing, science, social studies, etc. It is still in elementary school. I will have a team mate for planning but not teaching. I have actually read "The First Days of School" by Harry Wong in college and just purchased "Love and Logic." I am sure reading (and rereading) them will be greatly helpful! How much would you try to prepare over the summer?

Chef Dave,
Thank you for your response, I will be living in Gilbert and teaching in Queen Creek. Are you familiar with these areas?

[Chef Dave]

Chef Dave,
Thank you for your response, I will be living in Gilbert and teaching in Queen Creek. Are you familiar with these areas?

Is Gilbert part of the greater Phoenix area? If so, you're at least two hours away ... east on U.S. 60, across the San Carlos Apache reservation and into the Pima/Thatcher/Safford area.

The area I live in is rural - primarily known for copper mining and cotton farming.