Careful and intentional planning prior to starting the school year can help ensure a successful year with students.
As Elementary school teachers around the world embark upon another school year campaign, students are welcomed back to glistening room decorations, creative learning spaces, and an array of different learning tools. Although Elementary teachers’ decorations and classroom layouts may look relatively simple or perhaps somewhat random, most teachers I know really take the time to plan their classrooms and activities in a very intentional, thoughtful way that will best drive student learning. So, whether you’re a teacher looking for new tips or a parent looking to understand what goes on in the minds of teachers as they prepare for the school year, take a look at the following lessons I’ve learned over the years.
The physical layout of the classroom is a very important factor for teachers to consider. Since young children can have relatively short attention spans, good Elementary teachers always like to keep a variety of different activities and stations ready that will accommodate and be conducive to students’ physical movement around the room. As a teacher, I’m also moving around the room a lot, so it’s important that students are able to clearly see the learning activity, whether they’re at their desks or in a common seating area. Here are some other important considerations to take in mind:
Once teachers have a physical classroom layout that can serve a variety of different learning styles and activities, it’s time to ensure that lessons are planned that are engaging, aligned to standards, and connect with students’ learning styles. Although a Kindergarten teacher may have taught the same grade level for the past twenty years, let me assure you that his or her lessons always evolve and adapt each year depending on student dynamics, class size, state standards, available materials, and reflection on their previous years of teaching. Effective teachers always take the time to prepare, plan, reflect, and share their lessons so that they can get better each year and improve their craft. Here is a checklist that I have found useful in starting to think about planning lessons for the new school year:
Everything in the classroom should have a purpose and place in the learning process. Safety and proper use is also an important aspect for children to learn as they continue to develop their motor skills and learn to share with their classmates. As I prepare for each new school year, I always like to make a detailed revision of the learning tools that I have in the classroom and consider the following factors:
A school year is long, and the most effective Elementary teachers I know are able to quickly develop strong rituals and routines with their students. Effective rituals and routines give a sense of purpose to students, promote organization, and most importantly, maximize instructional learning time. Over the course of 180 days, a few minutes gained here and there because your classroom has good routines really adds up! Here are some suggestions to have thought-out, intentional, and taught routines in your classroom to begin the year right:
Although students are always our focus, it’s important for teachers to take care of themselves, too. Sometimes teachers are so committed to their class and their students that they will run themselves into the ground with both physical and mental exhaustion. A tired or cranky teacher isn’t fun for anyone, so when I feel mentally or physically fatigued, I always like to pull back and remind myself to take care of my health – both for my own sake as well as for the students! Effective teachers can keep their energy up by:
Elementary teachers get to have all the fun: playing and learning with kids all day, seeing light bulbs go off, and watching students literally grow up before our eyes. Yet, sometimes parents, principals, and students don’t appreciate or understand the tremendous amount of detail and preparation it takes for a successful year. So, if you happen to arrive to school early and see your kid’s Elementary teacher rocking out with blasting music while drinking a double shot espresso, just know it’s because we’re getting pumped up for another awesome day with your child!
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