Starting the Year 2014 Off Right
I remember planning for my first year as the 'real teacher' in a senior classroom. My family and I were holidaying in Te Urewera at the time and so things there were quiet, dreams were free, I was chuffed and life was good.
Now 10 years later I do believe I tend to plan for some of the same tasks. I'm back at Edgecumbe Primary, a forward thinking school where teachers are allocated their class levels, rooms and students before the year ends. The first term timetable, duty roster, relievers list and library/computer slots are also collectively completed by staff.
It's great to have that information on hand early and it makes labour intensive tasks like curriculum planning, the term overview, class timetable and first week activities so much easier to get done. It's also a reminder that I order an ITC teacher planner before those last days of school.
Now 10 years later I do believe I tend to plan for some of the same tasks. I'm back at Edgecumbe Primary, a forward thinking school where teachers are allocated their class levels, rooms and students before the year ends. The first term timetable, duty roster, relievers list and library/computer slots are also collectively completed by staff.
It's great to have that information on hand early and it makes labour intensive tasks like curriculum planning, the term overview, class timetable and first week activities so much easier to get done. It's also a reminder that I order an ITC teacher planner before those last days of school.
My simple, what I would term...'choose to do' lists follow...
During the holidays:
- Purchase an A5 day to a page diary
- Decide on a theme that compliments my Term 1 unit planning
- Purchase themed classroom decor, borders and motivational posters
- Order class business cards, notepads and thank you cards via Vistaprint
- Purchase book baskets, A4 bags (for filing worksheets) and misc stationery
- Create name labels (large and small) for students
- Search for class and art ideas via Pinterest
- Make and/or create a list of Term 1 classroom activities to print
- Find picture books and a suitable chapter book to read to the class
During the holidays:
- Purchase an A5 day to a page diary
- Decide on a theme that compliments my Term 1 unit planning
- Purchase themed classroom decor, borders and motivational posters
- Order class business cards, notepads and thank you cards via Vistaprint
- Purchase book baskets, A4 bags (for filing worksheets) and misc stationery
- Create name labels (large and small) for students
- Search for class and art ideas via Pinterest
- Make and/or create a list of Term 1 classroom activities to print
- Find picture books and a suitable chapter book to read to the class
Setting up my classroom:
- Display class overview and timetable
- Type and print student classroom list - Change or sort new display areas as required - Print week one timetable (A4 & A3 to fit planners) - Print basket labels, class lists, name labels and window sign - Set up baskets and student tote trays or desks - Print daily schedule cards, maths/language cards & laminate - Set up daily whiteboard, maths/language task boards - Sort maths/reading groups, print lists and display - Display books in class library for silent reading |
- Create a sequential art booklet based on 'reading to' book/s
- Sort seating arrangements, print and display - Set up reliever's book - Print worksheet re:10 proof-reading codes for Room 6 - Print extra newsletters and stationery lists for new students - Purchase bins for students shoes and label - Print signs for food scraps bucket and recycling bin - Print lists of students usernames/passwords for Mathletics & Reading Eggspress |
- Collate books/journals and worksheets for reading sessions
- Display questions about Inquiry unit that will prompt thinking - Print exercise books expectations, cut and file - Print class inquiry tasks and worksheets necessary for W1 - Print information and activities for guided math sessions - Plan term Homethink, worksheets for week one, print and file - Order National library books if necessary |
- Set up stereo, big screen TV and speakers
- Set up classroom computers and laptops - Sort iPods, quiet music, CDs for classroom - Set up absentee register and class roll - Print Internet and Milk in Schools consent forms - Sort pencils, coloured pencils and ruled paper for day one - Organise art equipment and bag pastels |
Finding time for these tasks:
- Change information on existing class website and provide links to new web space
- Create new class webspace to include class timetable and term overview
- Post entry about Quadblogging for term one to web space
- Make contact with Quadblogging teachers
- Plan blog back timetable
- Update iPads and review new apps
- Decide on iPad management, policy and procedures
- Think about classroom expectations, jobs charts and milk monitors
- Cull, review and make notes of academic levels using students profile folders
- Change information on existing class website and provide links to new web space
- Create new class webspace to include class timetable and term overview
- Post entry about Quadblogging for term one to web space
- Make contact with Quadblogging teachers
- Plan blog back timetable
- Update iPads and review new apps
- Decide on iPad management, policy and procedures
- Think about classroom expectations, jobs charts and milk monitors
- Cull, review and make notes of academic levels using students profile folders
As I live and breathe this demanding yet very rewarding occupation and a sense of accomplishment often overwhelms me when lists are ticked and the new school year begins, I really do think that my job as a classroom teacher is never ever, really done..
What Might a Visitor expect to see in MY Brain Compatible Classroom?
Brain based teaching and learning has been defined as 'an alternative and manageable way of understanding the specific strengths, needs and stages of student development using the latest brain research'.
Here are some key points about the environment and activities that would co-incidentally occur for me as a class practitioner and the many students I am so very fortunate to work alongside:
Here are some key points about the environment and activities that would co-incidentally occur for me as a class practitioner and the many students I am so very fortunate to work alongside:
TEACHER:
- Working with small groups and individuals (awhinatia) - Happy & enthusiastic - Giving students time to reflect and review - Instructions are written & oral - Well planned with SMARTS in mind - Pre wiring - Inclusive words of praise - Time for warm ups & wind downs - Affirmations - Feedback / feed forward - Wait time - Link home & school (kotahitanga) - Providing opportunities for challenge (wero) - Celebrating successes |
STUDENTS:
- Happy - Motivated (rangatiratanga) - Able to articulate the learning taking place - Work to agreed criteria (kaupapa) - Brain grazing - brain food (kai) - Taking control of their own learning - Awareness of themselves and what make them great learners (ihi) - Leaders, buddy readers - Daily fitness - Choice of how & where to sit - Water - Goal setting |
ENVIRONMENT:
- Colour - Quiet no lyrics music - Quality displays - Safe & caring (manaaki) - Choice - Displays of thinking - Harmonious and co-operative learning - Risk Taking - Thinking time - Tasks to suit different learning styles - Expectations rather than rules - Rubbish bins in appropriate places - Cushions - Class Goals - Koosh balls |