Roxanna Elden's Blog, page 14
July 13, 2016
Six Teacher Work Habits We Can Learn from our Advice to Students
We’re always talking to students about study habits, but teachers also need methods for managing our daily responsibilities. Many of the work-habit tips we share with students apply to us, too. “Organize your materials.” When students don’t have specific places to store their notes and homework, they haphazardly shovel these papers into their backpacks, never... Read more »
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July 8, 2016
Six Basic Classroom Rules For New Teachers
Sitting down to write your classroom rules seems like it should be simple. But for a new teacher on information overload SUPER-IMPORTANT-INFORMATION OVERLOAD at the beginning of the school year, nothing feels simple. Here are a few common classroom expectations that serve as a good starting point. Come on time and fully prepared to learn every day. Leave food, drinks and gum outside... Read more »
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July 7, 2016
Three Tips to Plan a Smooth Start to the School Year
Want a smooth start to the school year? Plan for these three things now. One: Plan for interruptions. Your main goal the first day is to set a serious tone so you can teach with minimum drama the rest of the year. This can be harder than it sounds because teachers often have to meet,... Read more »
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Four Tips for New Teachers
Beginning teachers have to lay the tracks as they drive the train, and they spend much of the year feeling like they’re about to crash. Here are some tips to help beginners make it through the challenges of first year – and into a successful teaching career beyond. Choose your mentors carefully: The best mentors... Read more »
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July 5, 2016
Four Teacher Fashion Tips
Here are four things teachers should keep in mind when building their wardrobe. Dress for coverage: When you’re dressing for the day as a teacher, always look at your outfit from a students’ eye view. Do you bend over desks to help students? Do you sit in a chair and read to kindergarteners? Make sure your... Read more »
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Frequently Asked Questions About the First Day of Teaching
Here are some frequently asked questions about the first day of teaching. Q: Should I tell students this is my first time teaching? A: No. Q: Won’t they know anyway? A: Probably, so don’t lie about it. Just add this to the long list of personal questions you try to avoid completely, which also includes questions like... Read more »
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Counting Down to the First Day of School: A Ten-Day To-Do List for New Teachers
You may have already had your first totally-unprepared-teacher dream. I still have this dream near the end of every vacation, and most teachers I’ve discussed it with know exactly what I’m talking about. It changes, of course, but it always goes something like this… (Scary music begins.) You have somehow slept through a week’s worth... Read more »
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First Day of School Forms, Handouts, and Surveys (Plus, “The Flotation Device” Activity)
Here are some forms you may want to prepare for the first day of school. Before you make these on your own, ask around – they are pretty common activities, so no need to reinvent the wheel. The important thing is they help you get to know your students, set a structured tone for the... Read more »
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What to Include in Your First Day Lesson Plan (and What to Leave Out)
Please don’t take your first-day cues from any movie where the teacher stands on a desk. The first day of class should be the most structured day of the year, not the most exciting. It’s all about setting the tone so that you can teach with minimum drama the rest of the year. Your first-day... Read more »
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May 3, 2016
Four Big Ways Teaching Prepared Me to Be a Parent
Of course, parenting isn’t exactly like teaching. Teachers don’t have to take their screaming students on airplanes. (See also: diaper rash cream, “poop geyser,” never getting out of the house.) And moms don’t have thirty other babies watching how they handle the first baby who tries to grab the dog’s eyeball. (See also: looming stacks of ungraded... Read more »
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