Back to School Tips For Teachers

Well, it's that time again.  With it comes joy and of course jitters.  We all as teachers have high expectations at the beginning of the school year; but, we do not live in a perfect world.  Most days things do not go as planned. Preparation is the key for a GREAT school year.  

Listed below are some helpful tips that can help make that transition back into the classroom a lot smoother.  We all have different needs, so please apply as many of these that pertain to you and change them up to fit your needs.

TIPS:

1. In the beginning you must remember to be firm (not a mean hand).  It is much easier to ease up later
2. Decide which routines and procedures you’ll have in place.  Discuss, demonstrate and model proper routines and procedures to the students. Then, PRACTICE the routines with the students often the first  weeks of school.  Review them as needed, throughout the year.
3. Set a clear discipline plan  from day #1, a method for carrying out the plan and the consequences for not following the rules. MOST IMPORTANTLY - BE CONSISTENT!
4. Have your first week of lesson plans ready to go. Allow for some fun "Get to Know You" activities ready.  Learn students learning styles—the more you know the better.
5. Have seating assignment ready. You can always change seating once you learn your students.
6. A substitute folder is a must.   Include important information about your classroom like a seating chart, your discipline plan, and class bell schedules.  Include a couple of emergency lesson plans (I had at least three, one for each semester)
7. Try to set aside some time everyday to grade.  This is be a major lifesaver when progress report time rolls around.
8. Give yourself and your students a new start everyday.  Don't let the problems of yesterday linger in your room. Forgive and Forget!
9. Smile—every student is worthy of a smiling face.
10. A successful teacher must have knowledge of their subject manner, patience and a sense of humor. 

Start the school year off by giving the students some engaging back to school activities. My "Back to School Chaos" product can do just there. This product includes 10 different activities to keep the students busy for the first few days of school while you as a teacher tend to those housekeeping duties that come with the beginning of school.

Click here to view more of the product

About Me Bubble Name Cloud – Students use their name and design a cloud with their different interests.

Autograph Game - students sign categories that pertain to them. There are 5 cards to have a variety if you would like; however, student can easily use the same card.

Name Ladder – students use their name and design a ladder finding words that begin and end with certain letters in their name.

Classroom Scavenger Hunt – students find things in the room with predetermine characteristics.

Alphabet School Scavenger Hunt – students use the alphabet to find words pertaining to school.

Crazy Compounds – students use pictures to put together and form new compound words. (2 versions with an additional sheet for students to create their own)

Back To School Homophone Poem - students try to see if they can find all the homophones hidden in this original poem.

Back To School Secret Message - students will use a Roman Numeral System to decode a secret message.

Classmate Bingo (played like the traditional bingo) - students fill the bingo card with names of their classmates. GREAT FUN!

I hope you enjoy this resource packet. Enjoy!

An InLinkz Link-up

Easing the Stress of TpT Information Overload!

Work Overload

I recently wrote a post on one of the  many tribes I have joined since the TpT Conference. The post I wrote discussed how I felt after receiving and trying to implement the valuable information I had taken home from the conference.  I learned so much and realized, I had sooooo much to do, redo, update, etc. Just having trouble keeping up with everything was a challenge. Don't get me wrong, I really am grateful to have learned so much but, trying to implement everything became a bit overwhelming.  I asked the question, "How do you feel?" to my other tribe colleagues. Below I have posted some of the responses I received.

"Like a slacker!" 

- Andrea Rogers Runnels 

"Definitely feeling overwhelmed! I feel like there are so many things I want to do...I also need to find time to read through all the posts in different groups I've joined! Hopefully soon that'll happen! Good luck with everything!" 

- Lauren Allen Betterton

"So am I! I think I spent the whole day flipping through notes and re-writing to do lists. I don't know where to start!" 

- Gina Elizabeth

"Every time I cross one thing off my list I think of 3 more things to add hahaha " 

- Andrea Marie 

"Overwhelmed in all the best ways! I loved that conference." 

- Sarah Wu

"I didn't even go to the conference and I'm overwhelmed. My mind is always going and I'm driving my family a little nuts I think." 

- DianaJo Korioth-Burleson

"I think I've reached my information overload too! Would anyone share what is at the top of their to do lists? For me its fixing my product descriptions & also reading through all the new posts in groups I've joined." 

- Diana Elva

There were several teacherprenuers who were very supportive and gave us overloaders (did I make a new word) some very valuable advice. Below, I have shared some of them (there are too many to include) for those of you who missed the tribe discussion.

"Make a list! Then turn it into a schedule to hold yourself accountable!" 

- Suzana Somers

"Make a list. Prioritize it by what will help your sales the most." 

- Suzanne Bellah Kenoyer

"It is so easy to be overwhelmed. Make a list of everyone you want to do (detailed and specific action items). Then highlight 2-3 that you want to focus on immediately. As you get one of those done, mark it off and highlight another to focus on. I set a realistic production goal for each day. For example: write 10 constructed response tasks for 4th grade math product. When I finish my product goal, I work on marketing and the other stuff. Then, I usually go back to production creation and get a head start on the next day's goals." 

- Jennifer Williams

"I'm choosing to feel EMPOWERED to make the changes necessary to improve my business instead of feeling overwhelmed by how many changes that will be. I have been setting no more than 3 goals per day. I also started setting timers and leaving my phone in the other room. When the timer goes off, I get a dance break and 15 min on social media. Haha!" 

- Beth Frueh 

From the many comments in the discussion, make lists and prioritize were the top responses.  Yes, all the wonderful comments and different techniques discussed shed light on how to work stress free when overloaded with work. I hope you enjoyed reading this.  Here's to a GREAT school year to everyone and I wish you all a Good one!

What is Summer Relaxation?

How many times does a teacher say, "I can't wait to summer, I am going to relax and get plenty of rest. Well, if you are like me that is not a true statement.  

I mean, "What is relaxation?"  I find myself working harder and going to bed later than I do when school is in session.  Even on vacation, we go and do so much until you definitely do not relax then.  Now that I am back from vacation, I am doing some much needed cleaning that needs to be done on top of all those errands I run for myself and my family.  So if any of you have an answer for the question, please feel free to comment.

Spring is in the Air or Should I say FLU!

For most of us down south, it is SPRING BREAK!  Yes, we started on Friday and I do not report back to work until Monday March 16.  I have sooooo much planned to do with this precious time off but, Guess What?  FLU BUG!   I cannot believe it! I am starting my break with the flu! Luckily, I will not have to use any of my sick leave although it is a bummer to be sick during this time.

As I recuperate, I am working on catching up on some blog posts but, mostly I will be in the bed.  I guess I'll work a little rest a little and so forth until I feel better.  Keep me in you prayers as I recover!

Preparing for Back-to-school After Winter Break!

For students, January means a return to school after a long winter vacation.  With all the different holiday activities and sleeping, it is time to get back to business. Here are a few tips that can help you get the students in the back-to-school mode and give your kids the tools they need to have a “ready to go” attitude.

Allow a moment for reflection

Before diving right into work.  Allow the students a moment to unwind.  Ask each student about their break and what they did.  You will be surprised how the students need a little extra motivation to get going.  By showing how much you care, they will be more apt to ease into work.

Get Organized   

Organizational skills are the key.  Take the time to try and help each student through away old papers from before the winter break and try to organize anything that is necessary to keep for the new school session.  Take this time to remind students of any supplies they may need to be ready for school.

Promote Writing Journal Reflection
Allow a moment for students to not only tell you about their experience but, let them write their reflections down in a journal.  You will find that many times, students are willing to write down their thoughts and not share them with the class. A lot of students are shy when it comes to talking and this allows time for more in-dept thought.

Parent Communication
This is a GREAT time to communicate with parents.  Take a moment to check in with parents about the students' progress, especially if you have concerns. A quick email or call to his/her parent (whether good or bad) will help keep the lines of communication open.  Don't just wait until there is a problem.

Back to Homework   
Just like at the start of the year, the students will have to get back into the habit of doing regular homework; therefore, so will you. Be sure to decide if what you were doing in the fall (such as amount) was the best for your students.  Sometimes, we as teachers can forget that the students have other things to do after school (practices for sports and some may even work).  Try to refrain from homework overload!

By helping students ease into school again, the stress and behavioral attitudes may become limited. Here is a  Wonderful Winter Math teaching resource to help ease those first few days back in the classroom: You may also like to checkout my Wintertime Activities for Middle School.

Annoucing the Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) Cyber Sale!

The much anticipated TpT Cyber Sale is about to begin. 
I am joining with alot of other TpT authors and putting the majority of my teaching resources up for sale.  This means a huge savings for all TpT customers.  Remember on December 1st (Monday) and 2nd (Tuesday) take up to 28% off all teaching materials.  You must remember to enter the code: TPTCYBER at checkout. 

As a thank you to my followers, I am extending my sale starting today November 30 - December 3.  I hope this will help give all my loyal followers and customers the time needed to lookup and stockup on all those teaching resources on your wishlist.

Please be sure to check out my Christmas Holiday Resources.

Happy Shopping!

My how time flies!  I have been MIA for awhile.  This school year has really had me on my toes.  Diving into school and learning your new students can really take a toll on a teacher.  I hope each of you have been having a GREAT school year this year and everything has ran smoothly (I wish).  

I can't believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  Boy, I am ready for some rest and relaxation!  My school district gives us the whole week off and I hope that yours do to.  I am thankful for life, my family, and having a career. Trying to mold the mind of our future generation can be a trying task but, it can be very rewarding when the students come back years later and express their thankfulness to you for your guidance.  If we all guide at least one student in this journey called life we have made a great accomplish.

What are you thankful for?