Monthly Advice–October

In September, hopefully, some time was taken to document and catalog initial impressions.

In October, it’s time for an added focus on grading and assessment data.

Go over your gradebook and make sure every child has grades in every subject.
Make sure your pile of grading is low, if not complete. If necessary, start making daily goals for grading.
Go over your roster and make sure every child has taken every diagnostic.

This may sound ridiculous but it’s a good reminder.

School has been in session for nearly two months, but the first couple of weeks are hectic. Then, some kids start late, some have already left, some have switched classes, and some have been absent. It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. Not to mention piles of grading grow–faster than anything else.

So in October, make it a point to go through each subject and each student’s profile.

Create a schedule and stick to it.
Take notes on what’s missing.
Get to that pile of grading.
Start writing some report card comments.
Send home progress reports.
Revamp small groups based on assessment data.

The gradebook is a databook. The gradebook is the book for kids, families, and supervisors.

Assessment data is worthless if it’s not used. Use it. Grading needs to get done. Get it done.

This month, take the time to look over grades and data, make sure it’s neat, ordered, and caught up because November and December are filled with events, breaks, and vacations. Do more now so you’re not rushed or stressed later.

In October: focus as much energy as possible on grades and data.

Centers Tip #1

In the primary, world centers are a staple component of the day. As someone who started in kindergarten and moved up grades, I saw centers go away as I moved up in the elementary world. Not for me though. Not in my classroom.

Centers provide enrichment, intervention, and choice.

Centers Tip #1: Have centers in place.

I have taught all grades from kindergarten to 5th grade in a regular classroom setting in some capacity. There is value to centers in every classroom.

Dig through the research, ask fellow teachers, get on Pinterest, get creative–make centers. Centers for reading, centers for math, centers for science, centers for everything.

Start small: one subject, just a couple of centers. Grow from there. Just remember: make a time, a place, and a routine for centers.

Teacher Tip #2

This is for all the newbies:

Always have extra clothing–and shoes.

I don’t care if you teach pre-kindergarten or 12th grade English, teaching is a messy business.

I learned this the hard way. Trust me–just have something extra available.

In my car I kept a tank top and a spare pair of pants. In my classroom, I had a T-shirt, pants, running shoes, and flats. For my own safety and for my own peace of mind, I started to keep this stash on-hand after my first year of teaching. And yes, everything was not only needed at some point or another, everything was needed multiple times.

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I have stepped in vomit, I have been sneezed on, I have sat in urine.

I have tried to fix the copier and the ink cartridge exploded on me. I have slipped in grass and on the concrete for no reason. I have had both tops and bottoms get caught on something and rip.

I have spilled my coffee while trying to talk and drink said coffee–multi-tasking is hard. I have tried opening milk, and it’s a lot harder than it looks.

I have leaned against a counter and a desk, and my shirt came back with mysterious stains. I have had food wiped on me because I was mistaken for a napkin.

Primary was messier than intermediate for me, but it’s all a mess.

When you’re dealing with developing children, you’re stressed, there’s food and drink around, there’s lots of movement happening–you just never know what might get stained, wet, or ripped, so always have some spare clothing handy–trust me, someday you’ll be grateful you do.

Learning is messy. Just pack some extra clothes.

Monthly advice–September

We are in full-swing to a new school year. Some of you started in August, some of you started in September. Some of you are ready for a break already! 😂

As we start a new school year, here a few suggestions for the month:

Take a few pictures, take a few pieces of work–put them aside. At the end of the year, take them out and really appreciate how much you and your students have accomplished.
Focus on behavior management. At every turn, model and remind students of the rules. This is the time. There is nothing more important than setting down the foundation for a happy and productive school year than strong classroom management.
Tell a family member a specific thing you like about their child. Start the year off right with a positive note and interaction. Make sure to take note so that every child is given a compliment.
- For upper grades and secondary, this is still possible, it will just take longer.
Make sure to have a few items copied, a few plans made, and/or a whole activity ready as an emergency. Technology can be fickle. Plans will change. Sick days happen. Be prepared with something ready-made now.

It’s a new year and it’s good to keep a record, take a few notes, and set aside something for the future. The best investments and preparation happen early, happen now.

Teacher Tip #1

This is for all the newbies:

You will never be caught up.

Never. Not even at the end of the year.

Sometimes the grading will not get done–just don’t put it in the gradebook. Problem solved.

Sometimes the chairs will not be stacked for the weekend–let it go this weekend.

Sometimes you will have five meetings, five mornings in a row. Embrace it for what it is, and rejoice when you have a week with no meetings.

Sometimes a “perfect” lesson will be a complete disaster. Plans will be shifted. Plans will need to change. It happens.

Sometimes you will lose papers. Schools have copy machines–you can get another copy.

I say this in all seriousness, you will never be fully caught up.

Even at the end of the year you will have leftover papers, lessons, and a classroom with a couple of boxes–a couple of boxes that you just threw random items into just so you can check-out for the summer. It’s okay.

You can only do your best; you will learn to recognize what has to be done, and what can wait.

Any time you feel bad about not being caught up, or being “on top of it”, brush that feeling aside. You will never be fully caught up, just do what you can and move on. It’s gonna be okay.