There are so many teaching ideas floating around, and I love to peruse them! But all the ideas can be so overwhelming. One of the most difficult jobs of a teacher is prioritizing! There are so many ideas and responsibilities and so little time. Frankly, sometimes "cuteness" can overwhelm substance, and classroom decor can distract from preparing in more substantive ways for a productive school year.
Since I moved from being a middle school teacher to an elementary school teacher, I was intimidated by the culture of a classroom's appearance being viewed as a representative of a teacher's worth. Each year, I have to remind myself that matching baskets from Lake Shore Learning don't enhance learning. A positive learning environment and organization, however, are important. This is a struggle for me too, since organization is not my forte. I am always struggling to be more organized, so I teach this important skill to students and so I can be more effective.
I find that I can do more better when I focus on a few important things. So, in case you are like me, here are my necessities:
A job chart- Mine is small. Kids usually remember their jobs. It doesn't need to take up valuable wall space.
An editing check list and revision check list that will grow, so I just add a title.
A word wall- Store Bought letters work great.
Rules Posted Clearly
A behavior chart with magnets, and a portable one too.
A crate for graded work to be stored by student- I do this because I want a quick reference when I need to meet with parents or an A-Team.
A crate for handouts for each day of the week.
Birthday presents for the kids (not a birthday chart...again--I want the wall space for anchor charts)
A detailed Power Point with class procedures.
An organized classroom library
Supplies organized in some way (See Supply Post)
Some baskets for organizing (late work, office papers and money)
A shelf behind teacher desk for supplies
Student organization
No comments:
Post a Comment