Whether you’ve taught at a school for several years or you are just starting out, we’ve got some tips for you! Setting the tone in a classroom for the new school year can be tough. Follow these tips to reduce stress and stick to a plan.
Create a list of all of the classroom responsibilities that you would like to go over with your students. This will help give them an idea of what to expect in the classroom. Creating a list ahead of time will help ensure that you don’t forget anything.
The start of a new school year can be awkward. There may be a lot of unfamiliar faces. Getting to know one another is the first step in building a classroom community. Get the kids to interact with one another and most importantly get a chance to interact with them yourself. Try some of these Ice Breaker games.
Contact the school ahead of time and find out what supplies and materials are provided to you free of charge. Once you figure that out, you can make a list of any additional supplies and materials you may need.
Creating a welcome letter that includes information about yourself, necessary supplies, school policies, classroom rules, and how parents can communicate to you will help prepare students for the year ahead. Depending on the age of the students that you are teaching you could send them out to the parents as well.
It is important to provide parents with open and clear communication systems (phone calls, emails, texts, etc.). In doing so, you help create rapport and build upon partnerships for the upcoming school year ahead.
