got a job for next year

[superteach]

I recently was hired for a 4th grade position for next year. I am going to be a first year teacher...so can anyone help me by telling me where to start first. I haven't even seen my class yet, but is there stuff that I need to be doing now before the year prior is over? I have been thinking of a theme and I also have some of my procedures ready also.

I know that alof of you have some awesome ideas!

[WVmtnlady]

That's wonderful that you have a job all lined up for the next school year! I'm a new teacher also although I haven't been hired for the next school year yet (fingers crossed). I'm sure that you will probably receive some fantastic ideas from the members on this forum. Best of luck to you and I hope you enjoy your first year!:D

[Chef Dave]

I recently was hired for a 4th grade position for next year. I am going to be a first year teacher...so can anyone help me by telling me where to start first. I haven't even seen my class yet, but is there stuff that I need to be doing now before the year prior is over?

Wait until the school year finishes before going over to the school. I know you're anxious to begin planning for next year, but if you were to head over there now, you'd be getting underfoot as teachers busy themselves finishing up the year.

First things first ... meet with the building administrator. Some administrators have adopted the policy of standardized instruction i.e. all teachers at a given grade level write lesson plans together and everyone uses the same lesson plan for teaching.

Although I think this may be advantageous to novice teachers, I think the concept of standardized instruction negates individual strengths of teachers. It also dumbs down education because invariably, teachers have to teach at the level of the weakest instructor.

So ... if the building administrator tells you that you'll be writing lesson plans with your grade level aka standardized instruction, I would recommend that you begin looking at teacher editions to familarize yourself with your textbooks and curriculum.

If the building administrator says that teachers may write individual lesson plans for their respective classes, find out what the state and district standards are. Visit your classroom and grab teacher's editions. Begin familiarizing yourself with what you will be expected to teach and identify the resources you'll have in the classroom.

If you have a decent team leader, you may not have to reinvent the wheel by writing lesson plans for the year. If the team leader took you under her wing, she might be more than willing to share her lesson plans with you.

You should also familiarize yourself with district policy and school policy. Ask your building administrator for a school polciy handbook. Learn what the rules and expecations are along with the consequences.

Congratulations on your job!

I was a 4th grade teacher for eight years and largely enjoyed the experience.

[Ms.Champion]

Congrats to you!!! I can't believe that it has been almost a year since I was in the same position as you: new teacher, just excited to get in that classroom. I must say, after one year of teaching at 6th grade prison, I still enjoy teaching!!! I can't wait for my 2nd year b/c I know I will be even better.

With that said, here are some ideas I have. I hope that some of them might help you.

1. Begin developing your classroom rules. Begin creating a student behavior sheet. Once you have this finalized, make a copy for each student and get the student and parent to sign it.

2. When Walmart puts all their school supplies on sale during the summer, stock up on them!!! Paper, pencils, spiral notebooks, etc.... I don't know if you can do this where you live, but here in NC we are able to put up to $250 dollars worth of expenses used on the classroom. Just keep all of your recepits.

Well, that's all I can think of right now...lol It has been a long day. 15 more days to go!!! :-D

[Ms.Champion]

ops...my #2 makes no sense. You are able to put up to $250 dollars worth of classroom expenses on your taxes. Sorry I forgot that very important part!!! hehe

[superteach]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!! I know that Wal-Mart in MO does things like that, and I have partaken in this before.

It's so nice to have wonderful instructors like all of you to ask questions!

[BuBerry3]

Superteach,
I am in the same position as you, I will be moving to AZ and teaching 6th grade next year. When I asked my cooperating teacher that is now a dear friend what I could work on this summer to be prepared, she told me to make sure I have the first two days planned with getting to know you activities, classroom expectations, etc. I bet you are so excited! I know I cannot wait!

[MissTeach]

Once you are familar with your standards, start looking for creative lessons to use. Look online, in books, talk to teachers, etc. Then put all those ideas together in a notebook. They will come in handy more often than you think!!

[kjem]

Superteach-take a look at my website. There are tons of start-up checklists, themes and first week ideas on there. It's geared for upper el, too, so you should be set. I actually started it as a way to organize all my files for me, so I could access them anywhere. I've probably used it more for myself than anything in the last few weeks!

www.realclassroomideas.com

[Miss T]

get some books over the summer, especially Wong's "The First Days of School"

[Miss T]

It'sll help give you ideas about room set up, routines, really helpful stuff good luck!!