Another year of school is here. Whether you’re a first-time teacher or an experienced one with years under your belt, every year comes with new problems. It’s practically impossible to be fully prepared for what will happen over the course of the school year, but that doesn’t mean teachers need to go in blind. There are plenty of things you can do in order to be better prepared and give your students and yourself the best year ever. Here are a few tips to help teachers ace the new school year.
Get Organized
If you want to have a great year, the first thing you’ll want to do is make sure your classroom is organized. This makes the learning process run smoother and saves everyone a lot of time. Make sure that students have name tags, have a folder where you can leave appropriate materials for substitute teachers, and set up your grade book early. All of these things and more can help make your year far less hectic, especially those early days of the year.
Create A Healthy Class Environment
If you want your students to have a positive learning experience that allows them to thrive, you need to create a great class environment. A lot can go into this, such as seating arrangements and furniture placement. The way you lay out the class will vary based on the age of your students, but a few great options are to post a schedule for your students that mentions important days in the school year, when they go to lunch, and other important announcements. Make sure your desk is in a place that allows you to have eyes on the entire room. You might want to consider learning centers, or a classroom library as well. Anything that promotes healthy and safe learning habits is a great call.
Determine Classroom Rules and Routines
Before the year starts you’ll want to make sure you’ve created a clear and concise set of classroom rules and regulations. Think about what did or didn’t work the previous year so you can have a better ruleset for the new year. Once you’re actually in the classroom, explain the rules to your students. Make sure they understand what the consequences of their actions will be, whether they misbehave, forget to turn in their homework, or anything in between.