Teaching: Start the Year Off Right!

BACK TO SCHOOL!

As the summer winds down here in NY, the teachers are inevitably thinking about getting back into the classroom.   For myself, I have found that if I at least have a few key procedures, handouts, and files in place,  I can begin the year feeling organized and prepared.  The items below in red are samples, suggestions, and / or printables.  Feel free to use any or all that you find useful.

Procedures and Arrangements to Consider:

This file box has files labeled 1-31 to correspond with
 the days of the month.  I temporarily put extra handouts
 in file marked with the date they were used in class.
If a student is absent they know where to go
 to get missing handouts.

• Entering and Exiting the classroom
• Checking Homework Completion
• Correcting homework
• Returning homework
• What if a student is absent?
• Borrowing books
• Borrowing supplies
• Bathroom Procedures
• What happens when a rule is broken? (Consequences have to be clear and spelled out)
• Storing homework / classwork/ projects / tests 
• Storing Supplies and Manipulatives
• Room Arrangement -  groups?  how many per group?  centers?  storage?  traffic flow? during tests?

Handouts / Things you should have:

• Student supply list   (Sample 6th Grade ELA  Sample 6th Grade Math
• Bulletin board paper, borders and letters
• Grade book
• Parent Phone Numbers
• Passwords
• Call log for parents 
• Bathroom sign out sheet / book/  pass
• Conference Sheets / notebook or binder
• Anecdotals template
• Welcome Letter for Parents  (for orientation or meet the teacher)
• Student discipline sheets / progress reports

File Category Suggestions:

• School Memos
• Calendars
• Professional Development (articles / handouts)
• Meeting Notes
• Extra Class Lists
• Testing Information (Dates / Procedures)
• Test Scores (Student data)
• Extra Parent Handouts
• Notes from parents
• Copies of notes to parents
• Office Business ( Book lists / furniture inventory / teacher's choice receipts)
• Schedules
• Special Needs Information
• Standards
• Curriculum Maps / Unit Plans
• Copies of Important emails
• Per Session Papers
• TO -DO file (requires attention and response)
• Copies of Anecdotals

Click HERE to create file labels using template 5266 or AVERY 5066