First year teacher needs advice!?

Question

I am starting my first year of teaching this coming September. (I just got hired)..It's fourth grade and I'm a little worried. I don't exactly know WHAT I'm going to teach them, or where to get inexpensive materials, or how much homework to give...its a little different when its YOUR classroom, so I can't draw too much from my Directed Teaching...

Any advice???

Thanks!

Answer 1

Well good luck..................check the web for fourth grade teachers' websites...........check your school district's website ...............that usually has lots of useful information and links to other helpful sites

www.teachervision.com

www.lessonplanspage.com

www.edhelper.com has lots of great activities

So again good luck and remember this is your first year so try to relax and enjoy it!!!

Answer 2

Ok, here's some very key advice. Don't give any homework whatsoever. Don't give them much work in class, and give at least an hour of recess every day. Bring in lots of candy and snacks every single day, and if some one is bored, drop the subject and do something else.

Answer 3

There are a number of different materials that can help.  As stated by another member here, the state of California has a website with the standards.  Go to the school and get the teaching material.  Many of the books have a pacing guide (if the school does not have one) that you can follow.  Spend time making lesson plans out.  Most districts have a great support network to work with new teachers as well once the year gets going.

Answer 4

I have taught 12 years, the last year being in 4th grade.  I still remember my first year well, including the mistakes I made.  Here's what I wish I would have done:

1.  Ask for help.  Most teachers are glad to support you in your first year.  Don't feel that asking for advice and ideas will make you seem incompetent.  After 12 years, I still find I can learn so much from other teachers.

2.  Be sure that you set aside time for yourself.  I was so immersed in doing my job well, that I had virtually no "ME time".  You'll feel better physically and mentally, and perform better if you are kind to yourself.

3.  It's okay if a lesson flops.  Reflect on the lesson, analyze what went wrong, learn from it, then move on.

4.  Don't attempt to be your students' best friend.  Who cares if they think you're cool or not, it's your job to educate them.  

5.  Get (and stay ) organized.  Save your lesson plans, worksheets, etc. Each year will get a little easier due to the pool of resources you have collected.  

6.  Believe in yourself.  I live in the South where teachers are becoming a limited resource.  It takes a special person to teach.

Answer 5

First of all, you should have a curriculum. Just follow that. If you don't have a curriculum for a particular subject, look at the state standards and find material to support that. There are many places around right now that have cheap school supplies. If you have a Target in your area, they have a $1 area that has lots of teaching supplies. I would wait and see what you already will have in your classroom before going crazy buying things. As for homework, only give homework on what you have actually gone over in class. I would give homework every night except Friday. This is what I do in my second grade class. I give one math and one language.The homework should not be more than an hour. If you need any more: [e-mail]

Answer 6

Oh, good for you!

I just finished my first year teaching fifth grade.  I hope that your district has a mentoring program; if so, ask, ask, ask. Your mentor is there to help guide you in terms of curriculum, activities, materials.

I recommend the Responsive Classroom website, materials, books and training to help you to create a good climate in your classroom.

Look at, observe your colleagues in your school.  Copy worksheets and homework from them.  Ask your principal for help with materials and lesson plans.  

Most of all, remember that your primary goal this year is to help the kids learn how to interact, to solve problems, to trust themselves to make decisions and to take risks.  What you teach is less important than how to you teach it!

Good luck, and have fun!

Answer 7

I don't know where you are, but most places have a curriculum/ standards that students are to meet in each grade.  Presumably you know about that.  For example, in California, they are found here: http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/.

Most schools have a particular curriculum that they have adopted and follow.  Class sets of books and workbooks are given to each teacher.

In most schools teachers work together, some much more than others.  In some places, the teachers in a grade level coordinate their teaching and homework a lot, so they all give the same homework.  In others, they don't, so it depends on your school.

For supplementary ideas, there are good teacher stores in a lot of places, with books full of ideas, and there is a lot online.

http://www.edhelper.com is a very useful site (some things are free; you pay a fee for full access).  It has a wide variety of resources, though.

Some good free sites include:

http://www.multiplication.com (with free times table flashcards and practice games for online and offline)

http://www.funbrain.com/teachers/grade_j...

http://www.readwritethink.org/student_ma...

A good classroom management book for new teachers is:

http://www.harrywong.com/

Hope that helps.  Have a great year!

Answer 8

I did my first year last year and here's what I can offer:

Get as much help from other teachers around the school as possible.  They should be glad to help you.  Usually I went along with whatever the grade level was doing as far as homework and things like that.  As for what to teach them, your state should have a pacing guide or curriculum standards to help you.  

It won't be as bad as you think.  MOST IMPORTANTLY - stay firm.  If they see that you don't play, discipline won't be as difficult for you as it was for me.  Good luck!

Answer 9

Talk to some teachers at your new school...they will be your best source of advise as they have had your students before.  They will know what they are used to, the best places for school supplies etc.  Go to the office and see if you can contact someone before school begins so you have a headstart.  GOOD LUCK and CONGRATULATIONS!  Your first year is the hardest...gets much easier after this!