The
French Canadian Version Is Here!
Although my books have been printed in several languages, it is
always thrilling to see them. I recently received my author copies from
Cheneliere Education Publishers in Canada. This is the French Canadian versios of my book for middle and high school teachers: The Secondary Teachers' Discipline Survival Guide. I am always amazed at the universality of our concerns as teachers--no matter what language we speak!
Radio
Interview with Rae Pica, Bonnie Harris, and David Bloomfeld
I recently had an opportunity to participate in an online
conversation at BAM Radio hosted by Rae Pica. Our discussion centered around
the frustrating problem of how to manage not to snap when students push our
buttons. If you would like to listen and have just about ten minutes, check out this URL.
Fantastic
ally AMAZING and FREE Classroom Décor Site
I recently came across a great site for teachers who want to save
money while decorating their classrooms. At Block Posters (http://www.blockposters.com)
you can upload any photograph and then blow it up to giant sizes—at NO COST and
in three super simple steps. What a great way to use photos in your classroom.
Hopefully
Helpful Excerpt
If you are trying to get ready for the new school year, this
excerpt may help you organize the zillions of tasks you have to do. It’s from
the third edition of The First-Year Teacher’s Survival Guide that I am currently
working on.
Because there are so many tasks that all teachers must complete in
the few weeks and days before the beginning of a school term, it is very easy
to be overwhelmed. If you were hired some months before the start of a new
term, you have an advantage over
teachers who are not as lucky.
If you were
offered your position just a few weeks or even a few days before the beginning
of school, you will have much to do to catch up. Either way, the time line that follows will help you prioritize your
responsibilities and avoid being overwhelmed with too much to do in too little
time:
A Month Before the Term Begins
- Hit the
back–to-school sales for supplies.
- Make
sure that your wardrobe reflects your professional status.
- Order
any supplies your district allows.
- Gather
the other supplies you may need.
- Begin
searching the Internet for information about the subjects you will teach.
- Pick up
or download your district’s calendar for the school year.
- Pick up
or download your state and district curriculum guides.
- Pick up
teachers’ editions and supplementary materials.
- Begin
reading and studying the course materials.
- Create
your professional goals.
Three Weeks Before the Term Begins
- Create a
course overview for the year.
- Join at
least one professional organization.
- Decide
on the resources you will need for each unit of study.
- Create
unit plans.
Two Weeks Before the Term Begins
- Create a
syllabus or planner for your students.
- Make
sure that the equipment in your room works well.
- Brainstorm
a list of classroom management strategies and solutions to possible
problems.
- Create
your class rules and procedures.
- Put
together information for substitute teachers, in case you need them.
- Put your
classroom in order.
- Set up
your desk and files.
One Week Before the Term Begins
- Obtain
the school forms you will need.
- Work
with a mentor in order to get answers to your procedural questions.
- Make
sure that you are prepared for emergency drills.
- Create a
daily routine for attendance, lunch counts, and other student business.
- Write a
letter to introduce yourself to parents and guardians.
- Investigate
the Web site you will use to set up your class Web page.
- Write
out your first three weeks of daily lesson plans.
- Study
your class rosters in order to familiarize yourself with your students’
names.
- Create
an alphabetical seating chart.
The Day Before School Starts
- Finish
any last-minute tasks.
- Ask any
last-minute questions.
- Exercise,
eat well, and get enough rest.
- Make a
plan to manage your work-related stress.”
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