Advice, Tips, and Tricks for New Teachers By: Erin Young 2 nd grade teacher B. Bernice Elementary School Burlington Township School District

Communication Document everything! –It is important to keep a log of all incoming and outgoing calls that you make to parents. –It is important to document details of incidents that occur with students so that you can refresh your memory as necessary. –It is important to make a copy of notes sent home to parents.

Communication Be available to the parents! –Invite parents into the classroom. –Send a weekly or monthly bulletin home so that parents are aware of the things going on in your classroom.

Lesson Plans Be flexible! –Expect to alter your plans as schedules may change. –Do not worry if you are not able to follow your lesson plans exactly as you anticipated.

Lesson Plans Be conscientious of time. –Learn to pace your lessons. –Take the time allotted and the needs of your students into consideration when planning your lessons. –Do not try to cram too much information into a class period.

Lesson Plans Do not worry if you need to re- teach topics. –Sometimes your students will not understand the material as quickly as you anticipated. Re- teach the lesson even if it pushes back your schedule.

Classroom Management Develop a management plan that is easy for students to understand and follow –Set clear expectations Example: post a traffic light in your classroom and, if necessary, move students’ names from green to yellow and red if they are misbehaving. Having a visual management plan allows students to see how they have been behaving.

Classroom Management Be consistent! –Once you set your behavior plan, stick to it! –Students will appreciate consistency when issuing rewards and consequences.

Classroom Management Be fair, not equal. –Students do not need to be treated equally. Each student will have needs that need to be met. Being fair is giving each child what he/she needs to be successful.

Instruction Find ways to get excited about what you are teaching –Students will get excited about topics that excite you. Plan lessons so that you are excited to teach and then the students will be excited to learn!

Instruction Allow time for student inquiry! –When students get excited about topics, they are going to have questions. Some of the questions may lead your lesson in a different direction. Since you may not be able to address students questions when they are asked, you should schedule time for them to explore their curiosities.