New teacher looking for help from veteran teachers!

[Bbgrizzle]

I am a new teacher about to start my first school year teaching 3rd grade. I only just signed my teaching contract and school starts in 2 weeks. I feel very overwhelmed and I'm looking for some advice.

Is there a checklist somewhere that I could find all the things I need to get done before the first day of school?

Does anyone have some ideas for fun get-to-know-you games for the first day? What other activities do you do the first day, other than explain procedures and rules?

Long term lesson plans seem a little overwhelming. Does anyone have any tips or shortcuts on doing long term plans?

Also, what do you do for diagnostic testing for math to find out where the students are at? Do you give a cummulative review type of a test from the math book and see what they know?

Thank you very much in advance for any advice. I'm excited about my first school year.

 

[NoodlesTheRabbit]

I am a kindergarten teacher in PA...I don't have a lot of knowledge about 3rd grade, but there is a great website called www.learningpage.com. You have to register (it's free) and there are tons of worksheets that you can use for your class--even thematic ones!

 

[crs7568]

I teach high school English so I am not much help to you but I wanted to congratulate you on your first teaching job. You must be so excited!

Does your school have a mentoring program for new teachers? It is really helpful if they can pair you up with an experienced teacher. Also, remember to try to relax. The first year is overwhelming but it does get better each year. Enjoy!

 

[dizagain]

Hi! Congratulations on starting a wonderful, rewarding career! I teach Kindergarten...can't help much either, I'm afraid. My SIL teaches Third Grade and really likes it. She's using an ocean/fish theme to start the year off on her bulletin boards, nametags, etc. I know she's going to have a "Go fish" game with a pole for goodies at the end of the first day.

I would definitely try to hook up with some of the experienced Third Grade teachers ..QUICK! They can offer so much when it comes to lesson planning because they already know what the principal expects - and believe me, they're all different!!

Good luck to you - you'll be fine!

 

[mudhen]

I am an eleven year veteran teaching 4th grade, so I know
the boat you're in. First off, congratulations on your new job!!

2nd, If your feeling overwhelmed, welcome to the club. I've
been at this for a decade now, and I still feel like I'm swimming
upstream the first 2 weeks.

I'm assuming you have met your principal and teaching
partner(s) ?? Go to them first, they will help. If you have
been assigned a veteran mentor teacher, even better.
They should help with the checklist your talking about
before the first day.

Here are some tips that have helped me.
1.) Get a class list and know your students names, since
it is your first year, see if you can get a class picture
from last year to try and match as many names with faces
as possible.
2.) Find a list of phone numbers for your class and call mom
and dad's to introduce yourself. I know, I know, this doesn't
sound easy, but it is a great icebreaker with parents. I also
give out my e-mail address.
Caution----- Some of my colleagues give out their home phone#,
I choose not to. If you do, make sure, you are clear about
when and what for parents may call you at home. Don't just
say, "call me anytime", because they will

3.) Know your curriculum and academic standards for your
district and state. As a new teacher, you may get some parents
digging at ya, questioning some things you may do. Being able
to clearly explain your methods and reasoning is very important.

4.) Be firm with your rules and procedures early and often.
It's always to easy to lighten up and be flexible as the year
goes on. If you try to be their "friend" too much and sacrifice
discipline in the process, you may never get your class in line.

I hope this helps a little bit. If you have any more ???? that may
be specific in nature, just pm me.

 

[sk!mom]

I'm a 5th grade teacher. Others have given great ideas. My number one suggestion is to talk, talk, talk to your fellow 3rd grade teaching buddies. They can give you so many ideas and share many resources. Their help will be invaluable this first year and building a good relationship with them can be a help for years to come.

My mentor my first year continued as my teaching partner for the past 7 years. She helped me throughout that stressful first year and then we taught as partners- helping each other, planning together, etc... She retired this past May and I will be helping two new teachers get used to 5th grade.

 

[bobcat]

Congrats on your new job! Asking the veteran teachers for help is a great idea. They can most likely get you set up with basic supplies such as bullitin boards as well. Don't be afraid to ask for help. We've all been a first year teacher.

If you didn't read it for your undergrad I suggest getting a copy of Harry Wong's First Days of School. I still read it every August and it reinforces ideas and gets me prepared.

Do a google search for free worksheets. You will find a ton. If my computer hadn't crashed a few weeks ago I could send you a bunch but I am trying to find some of my favorites as well.

 

[SpecialK]

I'm currently a SAHM (only work part-time for a school district) but I taught jr. high full-time for 16 years. While there is a huge difference between jr. high and third grade, I can tell you definitively that you need to have enough planned for that first day. Incorporate some type of writing activity - it will clue you in to your students' ability levels. Ditto for some type of math sheet. If you don't get to it - no problem - but you'll be happy to have it if you need it.

Don't over-talk. You'll lose them. If you can give a visual while you talk you're much better off. Check in supplies. Let students know where everything belongs. Type up a behavior contract and review it in class. Send it home for parents and student to sign.

Personally, I never went for calling the parents to introduce myself. Can't imagine doing that as a first year teacher. I always preferred to send home a note that served a dual purpose of introducing me and explaining classroom procedures and expectations.

I also never liked to do plans for more than two weeks at a time. They always ended up changing anyway.

 

[Kallison]

Your team of other 3rd grade teachers should be helping you. Also as others mentioned they should assign you a mentor. Good luck.

 

[padams]

From the perspective of my DS who is about to start 3rd garde, he has been saying as the new school year approaches that he hopes his teacher doesn't spend the whole first day on rules of the classroom, and that he gets to actually do (learn) something that day.

His teacher has sent us a form which asks DS what books he read this summer, what he likes and dislikes about school, etc... just 1 page of "get to know you" type questions. We are to return the form by the first day of school. The teachers in our elementary school don't make calls to parents before school begins, but a new 2nd grade teacher last year sent a note to her students and their parents before school started that told them a little bit about herself and that she was really excited about the school year.

 

[elemusing]

Hi! And welcome to the wonderful world of teaching! I am a 10 year vet of music for K-3rd graders. We are in inservice right now and today we were learning about new "thinking maps." One is a GREAT thing to do on the first day!

If you have a digital camera and access to a printer, take each child's picture (or ask the parents to send one when you call and introduce yourself). Or the kids can just draw themselves.

This is called a circle map - and you can use it later in the year for brainstorming, describing stories, etc.

Put the child's picture in an inner middle circle then draw a larger one around it. Inside the larger one have them describe themselves -- like - I have 2 dogs. I like X-Box, etc. Then draw a box around all of that. This is called the "frame of reference." This is where they write things about who their influences are like "my mom and dad," "my church," a certain TV show, etc.

It is a great way for them to share with other kids (and you!) about who they are and you can hang them up in your room!

http://www.nhcs.k12.nc.us/htree/Curriculum/ThinkingMaps.html
Here is a website that explains and shows you an example.

Have fun and RELAX!!!!

And be sure not to waffle on your rules and consequences. . . this will set the tone for the entire year.

Oh and be sure to PRAISE good behavior at every chance!

Angie

 

[OceanAnnie]

Congratulations! I'm a teacher too.

There are some wonderful free resources on the web to get you started! Here are some-

http://www.lessonplanz.com/
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/
http://www.edhelper.com/
http://www.lessonplansearch.com/
http://www.teachingplastics.org/hands_on_plastics/index.html
http://www.forlessonplans.com/
http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/
http://lessonplancentral.com/

Try not to stress out too much over things. Do talk to the other 3rd grade teachers. They'll be a good resource.

I've found that for the first couple of weeks it's a good idea to have some back up planned activities. I always had back ups on hand with materials. You never know when you might need them.

I taught 4th grade for awhile. Something that helped me was to have a folder system for worksheets and homework assignments in the back of the room for those children that are absent. When they return the work is in a folder waiting for them.

It helps to be organized! Don't worry. Be prepared and things will fall into place.

Take care!

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I guess I should mention that I am working at a private school and I am the only 3rd grade teacher. The 2nd grade teacher is supposed to be my mentor, but she has never been there when I have been, so I haven't met her yet. The school didn't have any more copies of the CEFs, so I haven't started my long term plans yet and I am nervous about them. Thanks for the great websites, I will check them out.

 

[zippehsmom]

This will be my 3rd year teaching. My 2nd teaching Kdg. & my first year I taught 2/3 split.

My principal sent a book entitled How to be an Effective Teacher The First Days of Shool by Harry K. Wong & Rosemary T. WOng.

I have not had a chance to look at it since I just got it a coupel of days ago. However, just glancing at it, it seems to have some helpful tips and advice.

Hope this helps.

zippehsmom

 

[bobcat]

OceanAnnie thanks for the web sites! There were a couple of new ones for me and I was able to start recollectiong my web pages to use.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Bobcat, I'm glad they are helpful! I check for new sites every now and then. I just go to a meta search engine (like dogpile) and type in "free lesson plans" and get new ones from time to time.

It's nice to see what's out there. And it's fun to expand on some ideas and personalize them.

Happy New Year (teaching that is) to everyone!

 

[BrerMom]

I really liked my kids' elementary teachers. Some things they did that helped on the homefront:

Send a letter to arrive before school starts. It was photocopied, so just one letter to write. It invited them to the class and told them what supplies would be needed on the second day. If you don't know supplies, don't worry, you will next year.

Instead of sending home finished/corrected work every night, they sent home a folder once a week. Different teachers had a different night, but once we learned to expect it, it worked great.

Last year in 4th grade, DS had to copy the agenda off the board every day. I had to sign it every night. This lets the parents know what's coming, what the kid's doing in class, and, even more importantly, that something is going on in class.

Relax. Smile. Be as consistent as possible. The Harry Wong book is really good. Call home for positives as well as brewing negatives. I have to really work at this, but memorize names as quickly as possible. Good luck!!!! And remember when you feel overwhelmed that it's not just a beginning teacher thing!