CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Friday, March 16, 2012

Teacher Tips Linky Party

Another great linky party that I just had to get in on is being hosted by Michelle at Teach 123.  She is encouraging us to write teacher tips for new teachers or for teachers who are switching grade levels.  You know, those things you know now, that you wish you knew when you first started!  Isn't that a great idea??  So, I thought of a few tips I would like to share.

Sometimes as new teachers we are not as confident, and sometimes make the mistake of acting that way or saying it.  Or is that just me??  I cringe every time I think of a meeting I had with a little boy's parents my first year...he wouldn't sit still or focus, and I think maybe he told them that he was bored or didn't like school or something to that affect.  So, after talking for a few minutes, and with my confidence waning, I actually said, "Maybe it's me!  Maybe I'm not doing a good enough job to keep him focused."  (*Gasp* What did I just say??)  Now, I'm not saying that it wasn't me, it very well could have been, but don't let them think that!  How are they going to have confidence in me then?  Remember as teachers we have spent countless hours student teaching, observing, learning and preparing to be in our classrooms.  You may not know everything and may not be great at executing everything that first year, but you know what you are doing.  If you believe that this is your calling and you were meant to be in that classroom, then be confident, not obnoxious, just confident.  Don't allow parents to make you feel down because of mistakes and issues that may occur, remind them that we are all working together for the same common goal...to help children learn.
This may seem like a funny one, but what I mean by "Do you", is be yourself!  I guess I could have just put that, but I really like Do you better! :)  That was something I struggled with especially during student teaching, trying to be like others and not feeling like I could keep up with them and their creativity.  When I got in my own classroom, though, I just became comfortable in my own skin.  I may not have been as creative or as great at some things as others, but just doing my best to teach the way I was comfortable, and being myself allowed me to really enjoy that first year in my classroom!  Some creativity and fun ideas came later, but in my own way and my own time.  Even now I struggle with wanting to be like other bloggers, they are so funny, they are popular, they have such great ideas, they have so many cute, amazing items for their teacher's stores!  But then I have to remember we are all different.  That's why there can be so many blogs and we can get so much from each of them.  I just have to be me, and do the best I can.  Maybe I will get better at some of those things and maybe I won't, but I gotta be me!  Get ideas, use them...get advice, use it...get help, follow it, but adapt it to your style and what you are comfortable with..."Do you!"
I wish I would have had this book my first year, but some of it I had already incorporated into my classroom. He is an amazing teacher with so many great thoughts and ideas and ways to keep students always performing at their best.  I try to read it at the beginning of each school year.
Giving them numbers that correspond  to their last names alphabetically helps make it easier to collect papers...they just come up in number order.  It makes it easier to keep track of students, especially during fire drills, just call out numbers quickly.  It also helps to keep those numbers on popsicle sticks or some other type of manipulative, this way you can keep track of students you have already called on, or which ones have already read, or which ones have been at which centers, etc.
Some students may say or think that they are not able to fulfill the expectations that you have set for them.  They may convince their parents of this, too.  But when we set our expectations high, and challenge them to meet those expectations and encourage them along the way, you'll be surprised (and so will they...and their parents) at what they can really do.  I have had to express that to parents before..."I know they can meet my expectations, when I challenge them and encourage them in the classroom they do what I expect, they can do it."  I don't allow the word can't in my classroom.  They are only allowed to say, "I'm having trouble." :)  And you can make rules like that fun.  I make a big deal if I hear the forbidden word...*gasp*, "Now tell me 10 things you can do!"
And then because this post is long enough, I didn't put the last one on the cute design, but I do think this one is very important!  Love on them!      Sometimes that may be the only time they get loved on.  Plus, discipline seems to come across much easier if you have already established that you love them.  They realize the discipline is because of that love and your desire to see them be the best they can be.  This also helps them to work hard for you, because they want to please the ones they love.  Sorry this is so long, but I hope it will be an encouragement and help!  We have the most wonderful job ever!!! 




19 comments:

The Colorful Apple

I couldn't agree more with everything you mentioned! Especially the assigning numbers tip. All my kids know there numbers and can line themselves up in number order during a fire drill - it's awesome!

Sara :)
Smiling In Second Grade

4321Teach

Love Ron Clark!

-EmilyK

Michelle

I LOVE your expression "do you"! That is so true and it is so hard to learn when you first begin teaching.

Thanks for joining my Teaching Tips Linky Party. I made a Pinterest Board called Teaching Tips and added your tips. You can check it out here: http://pinterest.com/teach123school/teaching-tips/

Michelle
Teach123

Stacey

Thanks so much, Sara, for lasting through this whole post:), and for your kind comment! And you just taught me something else I sadly never thought of...just have them line up by number, rather than calling out 1, 2, 3...! This is why I love this so much! Don't know why that never occurred to me before, lol. Thanks for sharing! :) Have a great weekend!

Stacey

Yes, so do I, Emily!! He is so good! :)

Stacey
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stacey

Well, thank you so much, Michelle for inviting me! It is such a great idea, I didn't realize I had so much to say, lol! Yes, "Do you" is tough! I sometimes still struggle with it.
That's awesome, I will have to check out the Pinterest board. Thanks for pinning! Thanks again for inviting me and for your comment. :)

vicky1970

Hi Stacey - I just found you from my sweet friend Misty over at Think Wonder and Teach. Great blog...I can't wait to look around some more...I'm your newest follower. :o)
Vicky
Traditions Laughter and Happily Ever After

Stacey

Thanks so much for stopping by and following me, Vicky! I found your blog a couple of weeks ago and have been following. I love your blog!! :)

luckeyfrog

I love 'do you', especially for student teachers. Sometimes you feel like you have to do things just like the teacher you work with, but what worked for her didn't work for me. You have to borrow ideas from others as a teacher, but you also have to make sure it's something that really fits your style!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm following you now :)

Jenny
Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

Stacey

Thanks for your kind comment!! That was definitely me, I didn't do well with student teaching because I hadn't established my own style. You're very welcome for stopping by, I look forward to stopping by more! :) Thanks for returning the favor!

Barbara

Hey Stacey!
Thanks for the panda comment. I think they have to be one of the cutest animals on the planet. Glad you enjoyed the pics.

❀Barbara❀
Grade ONEderful

Stacey

You're welcome, Barbara!! I think so! I saw your button of a panda on someone else's blog and I knew I had to find you, lol. Then I saw that you had the page and I had to check it out! :) I look forward to checking out more things on your blog! :)

Think, Wonder, and Teach

These are great!! I love how you explained each one as well.

Misty
Think, Wonder, & Teach

Stacey

Thank you so much, Misty!! I was hoping it wasn't too much with explaining them, so your comment means a lot! :) Thanks!

Molly Maloy

Hi Stacey!

What great teacher tips! I LOVE Ron Clark's Essential 55 book and after I read that one I ended up reading the rest of his books as well! They are wonderful! Also, I know you were interested in seeing how I did our class weavings step by step, so I just wanted to let you know that I finally posted instructions with pictures! Hopefully that helps you out and if you have any more questions let me know! :)

Molly
Lessons with Laughter

Stacey

Yes, I definitely need to get his other books as well! But it seems that one is like my little security blanket for the beginning of each year, lol. :) Yes, thank you, thank you, Thank You!! I saw that you posted with pictures...so helpful!! I am so looking forward to trying it out! By the way, I pinned it! :) Thanks so much again!

Casey Shreve

Stacey, the more I read your blog the more I love your teaching style and outlook... since you are a third grade teacher I was wondering if I could link up with you, possibly over e-mail? I am currently tutoring a very bright 3rd grader and would love to ask you some questions about his progress and different things I'm seeing that as a preservice teacher I may not understand yet. Please let me know if this is okay... my e-mail is caseydee09@yahoo.com

Stacey

Awww, wow, thanks, Casey! You just made my night, thanks for your sweet comment! I don't really feel I have much to offer so your comment just brightened me up! :) Thank you!! That would be totally fine to link up through email. Feel free! It's stasweet@aol.com

Post a Comment