by lauren on August 17, 2008
The first day
Tomorrow is the first day of school for my students. The room is all set up and the lessons for tomorrow are planned. I have a short to do list for the morning but I am ready to start.
I’m more nervous this year
I think it’s because I know what I did wrong last year and I really don’t want to make the same mistakes again. It’s stupid because I know I will make a lot of mistakes. I will even make some mistakes multiple times.
This year I’m more prepared physically. My room is set up beautifully and I’m more organized than last year.
Last year I had boxes of unorganized stuff shoved under my desk and under a few tables because the closet was full of other stuff. This year all my unorganized stuff fits in the closet. Furniture is placed more logically than last year.
So the room is much better.
But mental preparation is different. Although I am optimistic about this upcoming year I don’t believe that all will go well.
Last year I was too sure of myself and believed everything would fall into place pretty easily. I’m scared of making dumb moves that will make this year just as hard as last year.
Last year everybody said it would be difficult and I didn’t completely believe them. I was surprised by how hard it was.
This year everybody says it will be much easier, but still difficult. So I’m scared of the hard parts because I don’t want it to be harder than I’m prepared for. I want to be good at this.
I am also worried about the students and their parents. I have two students who are younger siblings of kids I had last year. I’m worried that the parents might have a bad impression of me or that they might be confused by some of the differences in how I do things this year. I’m worried that the kids will come in with the impression that I’m a funny teacher who lets the class get away with too much.
You don’t need to be perfect
The closer I get to tomorrow the more worry is overtaking me. I’m excited, and I want to meet my students, but I keep thinking of things that I have to make sure to do tomorrow.
I can’t keep letting myself think that the first day will set the whole year in stone. I know that it sets the tone but I can always adjust if I do something wrong.
I did a lot of that adjusting last year. Adjusting works. The last two months of the year were really good and I just have to remember that a mistake isn’t the end of the world. Fewer mistakes would be better, of course. But I can’t let myself get worked up over being perfect. It just isn’t possible. Worrying over impossible perfection is worse than making a mistake in the first place.
by lauren on August 13, 2008
To save precious class time with your students spend a few minutes before the year begins filling out information on forms you’ll need to use during the school day.
Fill in all the information that doesn’t change like your name, grade, and room number.
Now when you need to fill out a nurse pass or referral during the school day that part is already done.
You’ll only have to put the student name, date, and event details.
If the form is a carbon copy, you’ll need to fill in each one ahead of time, but if they are photocopied forms you can fill in the information on the original before you make the copies.
by lauren on August 10, 2008
Elementary, My Dear, or Far From It posted an interesting description of a school organization system for math resources. It’s from May but I just found it. The teachers cleaned out the math manipulative library and photographed each manipulative. Then they made a flickr group for the photos.
Each math manipulative photo is posted along with ideas for how to use it in the classroom. Teachers at the school can comment with other uses for the material.
Imagine your school’s resource library with an interactive web based catalogue. You could even link to lesson plans if you wanted to. With enough teachers at your school participating, it could become a very useful collaboration tool. This idea is so different from the dusty disorganized cupboard or closet I’ve seen at so many schools.
by lauren on August 9, 2008
I’ve been keeping track of what I need to do to get ready for the school year on a to-do list. It’s easier for me to work from a to-do list, even if it’s really long and detailed. It helps me to focus on one thing at a time because I want to check something off.
Below you can download my list so you can get some idea of the things I’ve been working on. Who knows, it might even help you think of some things you need to do. Feel free to modify and share.
Downloads
PDF: to_do_classroom2008.pdf
Word: to_do_classroom2008.doc
by lauren on August 7, 2008
The summer is coming to an end and my second year as a teacher is about to begin. Already I am noticing differences from this time last year.
I’m talking a lot more this year
I have been working with my grade level team a lot this week and I am discovering that I suddenly have a lot more to say! Last year I was really quiet. I spent most of the grade level meetings either listening or asking the occasional question, but this year I feel like I’m actually contributing.
I am confident sharing my ideas because I know my opinion is valued by my team members. I know that I can ask questions, make suggestions, or disagree with something, and it will all be listened to and considered. My opinions actually have the same weight as the more experienced teachers. These meetings are making me feel very lucky to be a teacher at my school with my coworkers!
The big difference from last year is that this year I have a sense of what the entire year is going to look like. I know where we’re headed so I feel safe making suggestions about how to get there. I can already tell that this year will be a really good one.
I’m prepping my room in a purposeful way
My classroom is coming together well. I’m working just as hard as last year, but this year it’s all work with a purpose. This year I know how I want stuff organized.
Looking back at last year, I know I wasted a lot of time simply because I didn’t know what to do with everything. I had a hard time making decisions and changed my mind a lot.
This year I sat down and made a long to do list of specific tasks. I have slowly been checking things off. When I’m in my room I am able to focus on a specific job instead of being overwhelmed and flitting from task to task.
I’m so excited!
The more work I do the more excited I get about the first day of school! Between the long term planning time with my grade level and the ever increasing organization of my room, I am feeling extremely optimistic about this upcoming year.
I can’t wait to meet my students and start off the year. I want a chance to practice and refine all of the changes I thought about last year and over this summer. This year is going to be so much better, and I can’t wait for it to start.
