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Mentor Teacher/Protégé Checklist - High School

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Mentor Teacher/Protégé Checklist - High School

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These last days of school can be difficult, but we know you'll hang in there. To help, we collected great tips and teacher hacks to make your classroom cleaner, your students happier, and your summer a little closer. These end-of-year teacher hacks will give you more time to enjoy all those great little classroom moments that you love about teaching.

1. Because it's time to get them ready to move on.

How cute are these "First Grader in Training" badges?

2. Because it's simple and to the point.

Sometimes direct is the best way to go.
Source: @fallingforfifth
3. Because there's always time for an anchor chart.
Source: @teachingwithamountainview
Get your students to share their best memories of the year for all to see.
Source: @teachingalatteinfirst
4. Because it's a simple way to show them you care.

It will mean a lot to them.

5. Because we all need this reminder sometimes.
Source: @viveshogeschool
Leave yourself little notes (or treats) to get you through!
Source: @alittlehayesy
6. Because this is one way to keep kids engaged until the very end.
Source: @mathandmorein104
Why yes, that is a school with slides installed over the stairs.
Source: @taryns_unique_learning
7. Because you might need this.
Source: @thelifetimelearner
It really never hurts to have some extra immunity on your side.

8. Because they will love the mystery!

Simple envelopes are a genius way to keep students engaged.
Source: @teachingbytheglades
9. Because they deserve a reminder of how far they've come.
Source: @chalkoneupfortheteacher
Show them a few things from the start of the year and help them be proud!
Source: @firstcoffee.thenlife
10. Because it gives students something to look forward to each day.
Source: @fiercelyteaching
It's better than a countdown!

11. Because you don't want to forget to capture those memories.

Their parents will thank you for this, too.
Source: @weareteachers
12. Because little victories throughout the day can lead to a prize.
Source: @firstcoffee.thenlife
We love all the little goals to give students to accomplish.
Source: @thebaileybunch.4
13. Because Post-its are so simple, yet so genius.
Source: @fiercelyteaching
You can also encourage your students to make their own countdown with Post-its.
Source: @madeinthirdgrade
14. Because some days are too hot when you don't have an AC.
Source: @weareteachers
This teacher knows how to keep her students cool!
Source: @teacherwright
15. Because this is a great way to capture memories.
Source: @sixthgradeteachers
This was for Mother's Day, but it's a great idea for capturing favorite lessons, subjects, and school moments.
Source: @hippohoorayforsecondgrade
16. Because this is going to come in handy!
Source: @talesfrommissd
If you gave this to your teacher BFF, they'd love you forever.
Source: @teachingincardigansinfourth
17. Because you might be looking for that cap one day.
Source: @teachcreatemotivate
This teacher saves all lost lids and caps so they can find their match again one day!
Source: @crayonsandkiddos
18. Because a hydration station is genius!
Source: @thecounselingteacherbrandy
Yes, this idea is definitely worth stealing.
Source: @mrs_beatties_classroom
19. Because you can't take the arguing any longer.
Source: @ascoopoflearning
You might as well just label them after all.
Source: @winnerwinnermrsskinner
20. Because the learning is NOT over!
Source: @tinylaughingteacher
Put the power in their hands!
Source: @aprimarypurpose
21. Because sometimes you just need to take it outside.

When you have a gorgeous day, you have to take advantage of it!

22. Because it's a great way to keep track of classroom jobs.

You can get these name tags at the dollar store!
Source: @missamandasapples
23. Because they should know by now.
Source: @misskate7and8
A little reminder never hurts, though!
Source: Share your end-of-year teacher hacks with us on Instagram or in our WeAreTeachers Chat group on Facebook. Plus, our favorite end of the year memes. @food_for_taught_
24. Because you wish you would've thought of this about seven months ago.

"Go check the No Name board," you'll say.

25. Because these memories are worth capturing.

It can be a lot of work to do projects like these, but they're definitely worth it.

26. Because you never have the time to bake anyway.

Cookie sheets make great learning tools!

27. Because you'd rather be at the beach.

This hack is all about treating yourself to make it through these last days!

28. Because everyone's excited for summer.

They will love watching you pop a balloon each day!

29. Because math ... yeah, math.

It's actually your trick to get them to clean the tables after, but they don't have to know that!

30. Because you can leave them with this.

What a great way gift you can give them, and it's something they can refer to all summer!

31. Because this makes our hearts melt.

Send one home with them to use over the summer, too.

32. Because it might help you keep your sanity, which is wearing thin.

"I want the desks to stay where they are!"

33. Because it'll add color to your learning.

Those sight words just got more fun to practice!

34. Because we have to conserve when it's the end of the year.

This will help make your supplies last!

35. Because it's better than "One, two, three eyes on me."

Every teacher should have one of these!

36. Because everything needs a recharge.

Assign the classroom job of checking these daily to one of your students.

Source: @thetexasteacher14

37. Because it keeps it all in one spot!

Those puff balls are another good dollar store buy!

38. Because end-of-year encouragement is so valuable.

Get students to encourage each other, too.

39. Because all teachers need more of this.

Give yourself a recharge as often as possible, even when you have a pile of stuff on your to-do list.

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End-of-Year Teacher Hacks To Make the School Year Easier

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These last days of school can be difficult, but we know you'll hang in there. To help, we collected great tips and teacher hacks to make your classroom cleaner, your students happier, and your summer a little closer. These end-of-year teacher hacks will give you more time to enjoy all those great little classroom moments that you love about teaching.

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Regrouping after Winter Break and Preparing for Standardized Testing.

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Staying on Task during the holiday season.

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Staying Focused Indoors When It's Really Nice Outdoors.

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Getting off to a good start.

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Mentor Teacher/Protégé Checklist - Elementary

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Mentor Teacher/Protégé Checklist - Elementary

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No matter how much you prepare, your first year teaching will be harder, more exhausting, and more emotional than you ever thought it could be. The end of the school year is a time to celebrate accomplishments, reflect on lessons learned, and consider how you should do things differently going forward. It's also a time when many teachers find themselves questioning their teaching abilities, especially if they're still new to the profession.
Further Reading: What Makes a Teacher Memorable?
Here are some insightful lessons and honest reflections from three first-year teachers.

Expect to Be Surprised

"I'm so brand-new, tenured teachers can smell the grad school on me," said Wilmina Sainbert, a first-year English as a new language teacher in New York. A first-generation Haitian-American, Sainbert wanted to become a teacher because of all the fantastic teachers she had growing up. She thought she knew what teaching would be like, but quickly learned that there are always surprises.

"For me, the most different thing I couldn't have expected was the amount of life experience the children bring to the classroom," Sainbert said. "As a novice teacher, it still catches me off guard. The challenge has been aligning that knowledge with the academic goals."

In addition to making school relevant for her students, Sainbert, who works with elementary and middle school students, has learned that planning and reflection are key to preparing for the unexpected.

"Two things I've learned very fast: have a backup to your backup plan, and take bad days as opportunities to reflect and grow."

Build Rapport to Engage Students

Looking back on her first year, Sainbert wishes she could go back and do a few things differently.

"The advice I would give to new teachers is to take the time to build rapport with your students and set a routine," she said. "If I could, I would have let my students get to know me more. There were so many ways, in hindsight, that I could have used their questions to enhance particular lessons. Now I try to use that to engage them because it allows them to learn about me, engage with the lesson, and learn all at the same time."

Seek Help and Ask Questions

Kristin Jaklitsch teaches high school Spanish in New York. As a first-year teacher, she found that seeking support and asking a lot of questions were essential to her success. "There are no stupid questions to ask," she said. "If you can't figure something out, ask someone. Every teacher was in your shoes at one point, so they know how you feel." She also said she recommends that new teachers seek out a mentor in their level or department.

Plan, Plan, Plan

Like Sainbert, Jaklitsch quickly learned that planning too much is better than planning too little. "Something I realized this year that is different from what I expected is that some things you think are a breeze will take longer, and others will take less time than you thought. Always overplan and have a variety of activities to keep kids engaged."

Learn to Manage Stress

Sarah Richard is a high school biology teacher in New York. She became a teacher to help close racial, socioeconomic, and immigrant-status achievement gaps. But Richard found her first year teaching to be extremely stressful. "Teaching is a lot harder than it seems," she said. "During my first year, I was a deer in headlights every day. My health was very compromised. I passed out a few times and had excessive migraines that resulted in constant nausea and dizziness. I was very stressed, to say the least."

To get through the year, Richard learned to listen to her body and took mental health days when she needed to. She also learned not to compare herself to others and reminded herself she was doing the best she could. "I did a lot of meditating and watching YouTube videos on how to think positively," she said. "I did hobbies that I enjoy like indoor skydiving and playing pool."

Be Open to Change

Balancing philosophical motivations for teaching with the day-to-day reality of the job can be challenging for many teachers. At the end of the school year, Richard found herself feeling discouraged and disillusioned. "It's hard to help students who do not want to be helped," she said.

Richard also struggled with a lack of support at her school. "I was surprised to discover that many administrators are not as encouraging as they believe," she said. "It's discouraging to be in a workplace when the support isn't there. It feels like you're battling a war on your own."

Not every school will be a fit, and it's rare for teachers to stay in one position their entire career. If you find yourself miserable, there's nothing wrong with exploring new schools or different positions until you find one that works for you. Finding the right school or position may take a few tries, but knowing what you don't want can help you get closer to what you do.
Further Reading: The Moment of Impact: Small Efforts Can Create Big Changes
No one will tell you the first year teaching is easy, but getting through it is a rite of passage all teachers go through. What are the lessons you would share with first-year teachers?

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Looking Back: Reflections from First-Year Teachers

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No matter how much you prepare, your first year teaching will be harder, more exhausting, and more emotional than you ever thought it could be. The end of the school year is a time to celebrate accomplishments, reflect on lessons learned, and consider how you should do things differently going forward.

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Congratulations! You made through college and student teaching. You aced the interview, and now you're off to begin your career in the classroom.

Then it dawns on you: "I'm on my own. What am I supposed to do now?"
That will not be the last time you ask yourself that question.
I would be lying if I said my first year was amazing. I would not be honest with you if I didn't describe the struggles I endured that year. I'm headed into my eighth year of teaching, and I still find myself asking the same thing: "What am I supposed to do now?"

There are a lot of things that college and student teaching don't prepare you for when you have your own classroom. Now, with seven years of teaching under my belt, I feel qualified enough to lend these 10 pieces of advice to all the first-year teachers out there.

1. Find the most positive, passionate staff members in the school and befriend them right away.

It doesn't matter what their position is, find them and cultivate a relationship with them. In my first year, my best friends were the school secretary, the bookkeeper, and the plant operator. No matter how my day was going, good or bad, I could always go to any of them and talk about whatever was going on. If I needed anything done in my room, a door unlocked, or a special piece of furniture, the plant operator helped me out.

(Of course, you need to be sure to thank those people. Donuts and pizza are cheap and delicious. Candy bars and chocolates go a long way in showing appreciation to those who help you along the way!)

I also found three other teachers who radiated passion for their subject. I grabbed onto them right away, and they are now three of my best friends. We are constantly challenging each other to be better than we were the day before. They have helped me grow and develop as a teacher, and I credit a lot of my success to my relationships with them.

Stay away from the Debbie Downers and the complainers, they'll just bring you down with them, and you'll run the risk of becoming cynical yourself.

2. Find out who the master teachers are and pick their brains.

It's your first year, and even though you may have an idea of what you want to happen in your room, understand that what you plan to do and what you end up doing may be two different things. Find those master teachers with experience under their belts, ask them how they manage their room and use their advice to adapt your teaching style.

Master teachers have been in the school environment for a while, and trust me when I tell you that your new school will have a completely different environment than the one you worked in as a student teacher. Take advantage of their knowledge and experience as you mold your teaching style to fit the needs of your students.

3. Develop your own genuine teaching style.

One of the most common mistakes I have noticed with new teachers, and one I made myself, is trying to teach in the same style as your cooperating teacher from your student teaching experience. Unfortunately, what worked for them won't always translate to a different set of kids in another school.

You cannot be anyone but yourself. I tried for much of my first year to convince myself that I had to be exactly like my cooperating teacher, and I bombed. It wasn't until three-quarters of the way through the year that I let go and started being myself. My students noticed, and I started getting the results I was looking for. (Bonus: said results gave me major momentum heading into my second year.)

Your teaching style should directly mirror your true personality. If you're a goof, be a goof; if you're quiet and reserved, be quiet and reserved! You can maintain order in your classroom (see below!) without changing your personality. It's exhausting to continually put on a facade, and kids will notice the difference.

4. Create an environment of positivity and a culture that values teamwork.

"You may very well be the only positive adult in a
student's life. Your room may be the only place a student
will feel safe, loved, wanted, and included."

You may very well be the only positive adult in a student's life. Your room may be the only place a student will feel safe, loved, wanted, and included. Work to create that welcoming environment immediately. I didn't discover this until my second year, and once I figured it out, things took off!

When I taught middle school, my first two days of the year were spent entirely on team building exercises, "getting to know you" icebreakers, and activities designed to foster positive self-esteem.

Once my students realized that I cared about them and began to feel like they were in a safe environment, the learning really began. Some teachers will tell you that you don't have time to do things like this, but you cannot afford NOT to do it. Every great teacher I know uses this strategy and it works.

Students will be less likely to act up and engage in tomfoolery if they know that:

1. their teacher cares for them,

2. they can make an academic mistake without fear of being put down, and

3. they have a history of success in that classroom.

Celebrate every little victory for the whole class. If you've been teaching a new concept and notice that something has finally clicked for your students, tell them how proud of them you are. Personally, I like to take a "victory lap" around the room, slapping high fives as I go. While this particular approach may not be the one for you, even the simplest bit of positive reinforcement will go a long way.

Celebrate every little victory for each individual kid as well. For some, verbal praise will do the trick, while other students will appreciate a comment on an assignment, a silent thumbs up, or even just a smile.

On the flip side, be consistent in your consequences. This is by far that hardest thing to do. You will not have a perfect class every day, and there will be times when you will have to deal with misbehavior. No matter who the student is, if you fail to follow through on your own guidelines, you will lose ALL credibility.

Finally, establishing protocols is important for classroom management. Outline a process for everything, and teach them to students on Day One. Whether it's how to enter the room, how to take attendance, how you begin class, how to get materials needed for the day, or how to leave the room, go over the process for each and keep practicing until things are running smoothly. Don't hesitate to revisit protocols throughout the year, especially after breaks.

6. Let your students get to know you.

"Your students have enough friends. What they need is a stable adult presence."

Let your students get to know you as a human being, but always be sure to draw a line in the sand letting them know that you are their teacher, not their friend. I literally tell that to them: "Listen y'all, I love you and I think you're awesome people, but I am not your friend, I am your teacher." This may be tough for them to hear at first, but they will respect it. Your students have enough friends. What they need is a stable adult presence.

After establishing these boundaries, it's fine to share a bit of information about your interests, pets, spouse, or kids. In my classroom, I play a game called "Who is Mr. Edwards" at the beginning of the year. It's a slideshow of multiple choice questions about me, and the kids love it. Their excitement when they get an answer correct is so funny! I also hang up posters that pertain to my interests. My students know that my favorite superhero is Superman and that I love baseball because of the posters on my classroom walls.

7. Don't be afraid to mess up.

Honesty time: your first year will be an incredibly trying time in your career. You may feel that you are an awful teacher (I certainly did), or you may feel like they should be paying the kids and not you. It's okay! Every teacher felt that way their first year and they are lying to you if they say otherwise. It's all about learning from and adapting to situations that can only come from experience. I'm eight years in, and I'm still learning tough lessons.

Believe me when I tell you that your first year will be one giant tough lesson, but if you seek out those positive people and master teachers I mentioned earlier, they will walk you through it and you will survive. You will come in for year two with much more confidence and better control of your room!

8. Control what you can control, and let the rest go!

You will never be in complete control, because you can't control what happens to your students before, during, or after school. You can only control how safe they feel in your room. You may have students who come in hungry, sad, angry, or all of the above. Remember that they are coming to school as the best they can possibly be that day. Understand that 95% of the time, students are reacting to things that are happening outside of your classroom. Just focus on teaching them as best you can no matter what baggage they bring with them.

Additionally, you cannot control how the school board or government decides they will treat teachers. Sometimes you may feel like a punching bag, or you may find that the local/state/federal budget is being balanced on the backs of teachers. Your job is to keep plugging away for your students.

9. Be organized and lesson plan like your life depends on it.

Kids know when you don't have a plan, and they will take advantage of your lack of preparation. Over-plan for every lesson, and ask experienced teachers what they have in their "toolbox" for when there's extra time in a class period or time block. (You can always turn to those team building games!)

Administrators will know if you are unprepared too. As a first year teacher, your lesson plans may under more scrutiny than they will be in later years, and you will most likely be observed more times than other teachers. That's the way it goes. Use those observations as another learning experience and work on developing rich, engaging lesson plans. TeacherVision is a great resource for creative lesson plans, take advantage of it!

Lastly...

10. Go save the world. Be naive and idealistic.

"Keep trying to reach every kid you can, because when you do, the feeling is indescribable."

You will have some teachers tell you that "You can't save every child," "You shouldn't be so naive," or "You shouldn't be so idealistic." Don't listen to them. Don't let other people's cynicism keep you from trying to do good in this world. Obviously, you should know going into this that you aren't going to save every kid, but if we aren't trying, what's the point?

It will be painful when a student you've been working with messes up, but it shouldn't deter you. Keep trying to reach every kid you can, because when you do, the feeling is indescribable. Sometimes the most successful ideas are the most creative or idealistic ones.

You've entered this profession because you have a passion for teaching young people, so stay passionate! No matter what anyone tells you, it is possible to stay passionate about teaching, even 30 years from now. I know this because I've talked with these passionate veteran teachers. They are the master teachers who remain naive and idealistic in their attempts to reach every child. Emulate these educators, and then you can someday impart these lessons to a first-year teacher.

I will be the first to admit that my first year was something of a trainwreck. While I experienced a lot of success, I experienced so many more failures. However, without those failures, I would never have become the teacher I am today. I needed to experience them, and I still don't have all the answers. After seven years, I still get lost from time to time. As long as you continue learning from your mistakes, your career will be a stellar one!

Check out TeacherVision's extensive collection of New Teacher Resources.

4 Mistakes New Teachers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

As a new teacher, your first year in the classroom can be fraught with doubt and worries: Do I know enough? Are students learning enough? How do I deal with behavior problems? The fear of making a mistake can be overwhelming.

To help you through those early days in the classroom, we asked successful, veteran teachers to share the top four mistakes they made as a new teacher along with their advice for how to avoid these missteps.

New Teacher Mistake #1: Not taking the time to get to know students

Research shows students perform better and have fewer behavioral problems in classrooms where teachers work to connect with them.

Kevin Parr, a fourth-grade teacher for the past 13 years, learned to connect with students early in his career. â€œOne of my biggest mistakes starting out was focusing too much on content and not enough on kids,â€ explains Parr.

"Often, children are trying to manage a life outside of
school that is unimaginable to many adults."

â€œThe danger in doing this is it can lead teachers into labeling kids for their perceived laziness or disinterest in the material when the root of the problem is factors outside of school. Often, children are trying to manage a life outside of school that is unimaginable to many adults.â€

His advice, " Get to know your students, and let your students get to know you.â€ Parr shares personal stories about his family and childhood, plays games with students at recess, and talks with them about their interests and hobbies.

He says building relationships helps students feel safe and supported and more willing to take risksâ€" which is necessary because, as he explains, â€œLearning is impossible without taking risks.â€
Featured TeacherVision Resource: Learning Students' Names Quickly
New Teacher Mistake #2: Failing to set classroom management expectations right away

When you create structure with classroom routines and provide a clear set of rules and expectations, your school day runs smoothly. Students know what to expect as well as what's expected of them.

On her first day as a teacher in 2009, Amanda Brooks used a PowerPoint presentation to introduce her fifth-grade students to the rules and procedures of her classroomâ€"a process she learned at a pre-school in-service given by Harry Wong, author of The First Days of School.

She and her students practiced everything from their morning routine to how to behave when a visitor enters the classroom. Brooks says this one step set the tone for her to have a great year with her students.

Brooks, who now teaches incoming teachers in her district how to manage their classrooms, says having procedures in place early on helped her focus on teaching and enjoying her career, instead of worrying about behavior issues.
Featured TeacherVision Resource: Classroom Management Strategies
New Teacher Mistake #3: Forgetting that students need to actively participate in learning

Michael Fisher taught for 13 years before becoming an education consultant in 2008. Early in his first year as a teacher, he realized he was so focused on avoiding behavior problems and keeping students on task that he wasn't involving students in learning.

In an early lesson on potential and kinetic energy, for example, Fisher's students watched a video about roller coasters and completed a worksheet. When tested at the end of the week, half the students failed the test.

"What happened was I didn't teach them anything. They weren't engaged," explains Fisher.

"It was the difference between a ripple in a puddle and
a tidal wave. The change was so significant, it underscored the fact that I needed to be a better planner of these
discovery-level modelling type moments."

The next year, Fisher let students construct makeshift roller coasters with clear tubing and weighted balls. Without mentioning potential and kinetic energy at first, he asked students to test out different scenarios and see what happens when they create a short hill or a high hill and use a metal ball versus a wooden ball.

Fisher says once students were involved, their learning went through the roof. "It was the difference between a ripple in a puddle and a tidal wave. The change was so significant, it underscored the fact that I needed to be a better planner of these discovery-level modelling type moments."
Featured TeacherVision Resource: The Basics of Centers
New Teacher Mistake #4: Not taking advantage of online and offline support

Failing to create a professional learning network is a major mistake Fisher sees new teachers make in his role as an education consultant. Whether you use Twitter chats like #hacklearning, Instagram or blogs (like TeacherVision), Fisher says these tools can provide new teachers with personalized professional development.

Creating connections with colleagues in your school is also helpful. Ask if your school or district has a professional learning community or mentoring program or simply reach out to teachers in your grade-level. Whatever you do, don't try to operate as an island.

As Fisher explains, "I think it's hurtful for teachers to hold themselves up in their rooms and not let anything else in, new experiences, new ways of doing things, new methodologies. If you're not willing to share and give and receive, are you doing what's best for kids?"
TeacherVision has resources to support you through your first year as a teacher and beyond. Visit our New Teacher Resources for tools, activities, lesson plans and advice designed specifically for you.
Dear First Year Teacher: You Are Amazing

You are incredible. You may not know it yet, but you have made the decision to forever change the lives of thousands of tiny humans (or not so tiny, depending on which grade). This is not something to take lightly - if it was an easy job, schools would be full of passionate and motivated teachers. Regardless, you now have the responsibility to give your very best every day, and to give even more the next day. As you embark on this journey, you may find yourself second-guessing your choice, feeling overworked and undervalued, and in need of a major vacation. You are entitled to all of these emotions. While you feel these things, though, don't forget to also feel and recognize the following:

There Is No One Like You

There are many different types of teachers - think about all of those that you have encountered throughout your educational career. No matter how much those teachers and experiences may have shaped you, you are now your own brand of amazing in the classroom. Take what you have learned, embody the likeness of those before you, and make it even better. You are here because you are meant to be, and you now have the chance to impact others in the same way that those who came before you made an impact on you.

You Are Enough

Whenever you start to doubt yourself or compare yourself to others, look inward. Trust your instincts. If you do this, you will always teach the best way you know how.

Feeling like you aren't doing enough? That's more common than you think. There will always be something you think you should improve or change, and that is what makes you so fantastic. Think about your favorite teacher - he or she felt the same things you are feeling now, but as a student, is that what you noticed? No. You are harder on yourself than any student will be. You are more than enough as you are.

You Are Changing Lives

Are you aware of just how much influence you have when you stand at the front of the room every day? You get to choose the type of experience you provide for your students. You get to choose how they remember school and the way it made them feel when they reflect on it 20 years from now.

In what other profession can you say you have the power to do something so enormous that you change the course and path of 25+ students every year for your entire career?

You can be someone's safe space, their coach, cheerleader, form of structure, and even guardian angel. You will wear many hats, and you will excel in every one of them. To be so many things to so many people is power not to be taken lightly, but to be relished with pride and honor.

You Are Loved

It may not always show on your students' faces or in their actions, but you are loved beyond measure. You will spend more time with these students each school year than most parents will with their own children. There will be times when you have to be hard on them, and it won't be easy, especially when you feel that you have broken the bridge between you and them. There will be times where you have to build up your students, almost obsessively so, and your efforts won't feel valued. There will be times where you will put a smile on your face when all you want to do is cry. You will face all of these moments, constantly, and each time they will make you second-guess yourself. The fact of the matter is, these students will love each of these versions of you - either in the moment, or much later down the road. Showing you care comes in many forms. Try to remember that it is the same for your students. So, no matter how hard your day has been, or how many difficult decisions you had to make, remember that you are loved.

You will feel many emotions as an educator, and you will continue to feel them no matter how many years you put in or how much experience you get. The most important thing to remember is that all of these emotions are what make you a phenomenal teacher. Continue to push yourself, and make yourself better, but don't let the ups and downs deter you from the bigger picture: You are doing just fine. In fact, you are doing amazing. You are here because you are meant to be - you have power, you are loved, you are life-changing, you are one of a kind, and you can do this.

A letter from a 6th-year teacher

It is a strange time to begin the teaching journey because all those veteran teachers around you have also become, in many senses, new teachers. All of us are re-learning how best to serve our students, how to plan and re-plan and how to adapt to a whole new environment. Use this to your advantage. Ask for help and seek experienced teacher's advice, but also know that we are all going to be facing the same challenges and navigating new territory together! You also come with a perspective that does not rely on the practices and traditions that many of us have become comfortable with. You can provide new ideas and are more adaptable than we, who have been teaching longer, might be!

If you're feeling anything like me, the most stressful part of going back is being able to imagine what it will look like. My school leaders have gone from an in-person plan to hybrid, as well as planning for an inevitable return to remote learning. I've had time to think about each option and will share my own tips, as well as tips from others. As you read them, start to imagine yourself in the classroom (virtual or physical) with your new students. I'll break it down into the 3 possibilities for the 2020-2021 school year.

In Person Teaching & Learning

1. Capitalize On Team Building

I'm going to say this for every section. The benefit of being in person is that students can more easily connect with one another. Take advantage of this time and prioritize team building. These are the skills students need and want to practice, and it will help you get to know your class better. Whether you are teaching elementary, middle or high school, community building is going to be the most important thing you do this year. Ask the returning teachers what types of structures your school already has in place for team building, for example, morning meetings.

2. Scaffold Remote Learning Practices While You're In the Classroom

Unfortunately, it seems as though remote learning will be an inevitable reality at some point this school year. Use your time in person to help scaffold the transition back so you and your students feel prepared. If you are going online and using a platform like Google Classroom, incorporate Google Classroom use and assignments into your in person days. The more practice students have with the resources that will be used remotely, the more time you are creating for high quality learning.

3. Set Aside Time to Talk About the "Why"

Being in person means that there will also be lots of new guidelines and safety precautions. Set aside time to let students ask questions and understand the reason for all guidelines (old or new). This will help students buy into the expectations and it will give them a space to express their concerns, confusions and anxieties. This is not a typical school year, so there is no reason you need to pretend it is. If you don't know a reason why for something, be honest and then follow up by asking your administration, leaders, or a fellow teacher help you with the why.

Hybrid Teaching & Learning

1. Capitalize on Team Building During Time Together

I'm not kidding, I'll say this every time. There is nothing more important this year than building community among your class. The sense of belongingness that comes with being a part of a team will help you and your class face the many challenges that come with a year of learning and a year during a pandemic. When you are in person, designate time and structures that focus on team building.

2. Build Community Across Pods and Groups

Many hybrid plans involve splitting students up. The challenge here is going from two classes to having four different classes. Brainstorm ways (or research because you don't need to reinvent the wheel) to bring remote students and in person students together. You could do this virtually, or through letters and notes. But it's important for students to feel like they belong and are moving forward together this year.

3. Scaffold Independent Work for Asynchronous Learning/Remote Learning

Many hybrid plans also involve students completing work independently during their remote days. Whether they will be doing work virtually or on paper, scaffold this process. Even for high-schoolers, it is helpful to have a plan and steps that will provide students with structure and support when they are on their own. For your planning, it may also be helpful to follow the same format when students are remote. For example, remote days are always a mini-independent project or a research day. That way both you and students know what to expect and you can focus on refining skills, rather than coming up with something new every day or week.

Remote Teaching & Learning

1. Start with Team Building

Have I mentioned how important team building is? Remote team building poses distinct challenges. If your students are equipped with computers and reliable technology then having virtual team building sessions is a great way to start. There are many ideas online from companies who have done virtual team building in the past. If your students are without technology, the next best thing is writing letters, postcards and making each other small gifts. If you're able to organize a safe outdoor meeting once a week or month, that can also provide an opportunity for students to be with each other. No matter what, keep community building on the top of your priority list. It will be what students remember far more than what they were able to accomplish in math class.

2. Designate Time for One on One or Small Group Check-ins

Check-ins can be by phone, video, or even stopping by 6 feet away (depending on how small or geographically close your school community is). Remote learning takes away many of the important pieces of in person learning, like seeing your students each day and recognizing when there might be something going on outside of school. Check-ins (hopefully weekly or more if you feel comfortable) can provide a space where students can share how they are doing, ask for help or just talk with you. Of course, it will take time to build relationships with students, so ease into these check-ins and don't take it personally when students don't want to share. If your check-ins are consistent then students will know they can rely on the meeting and rely on you.

3. Have an End of Day Ritual

This is key. When you are remote, you are probably in your own home and the line between work and home is gone. Still, you can redraw that line by creating an end of day ritual to mark the end of school. This can be a walk, making yourself a cup of tea, calling a friend, anything that will help you transition from working to being home and relaxing. This is especially hard during the first year of teaching. I remember staying at school far too late and trying to plan every single thing. You will need discipline to make this happen, and it's helpful to have someone who will hold you accountable to your plan to stop working. Trust me, teachers can work forever, but you'll never feel like you're done. Set a time and step away. You'll still do just fine!

Advice for Every Option

1. Get to Know Your Co-workers

This will be more challenging this year because it's not as easy to go to a restaurant after school on Friday or have teacher get-togethers. If you can, make time to hang out with your co-workers or ask to set aside a "coffee date" to ask for advice and learn more about the school. Just like your class needs to feel a sense of belongingness, you do too! It is so much better when you have teammates helping you face all of the challenges that teaching will bring this year. Still, try to avoid teacher gossip. That can break down a sense of belongingness and pit others against each other. Focus on building strong relationships!

2. Make Time for You

I probably should not have put this second because this is so important. I'm sure you've heard that you can't pour from an empty cup. It's true. This year is going to exhaust you in ways you never could have predicted. Again, it's going to take discipline at first, but you need to set aside time for you. Hang out with friends on the weekdays, give yourself a spa day or "vacation" day. You will need this to be the best version of yourself for your students and your school. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

3. Do Not Reinvent the Wheel

You've probably heard this phrase before too, at least I hope you have. Do not reinvent the wheel. There are curricula and resources that teachers have created before you. It's okay to rely on those while you get a better sense of what and how you want to teach. You can still be critical of the resources you're using and work to ensure that a diverse group of experiences and voices are represented, but that does not mean you have to make everything yourself.

Lots of things are going to be different this year, not just for you. Some things will probably be the same as my first year teacher. You'll be too hard on yourself at times, and you'll feel like you're failing. Maybe you are, but just like we teach our students, failing is a necessary part of learning. You will also never forget your first class. So, take a deep breath and get ready for a wild ride. You're going to do incredible things, whether it feels like it or not and we're going to make it through together.

Author Bios:

Chris Edwards is an elementary music teacher who enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife and daughter. Read more of his teaching insights over at Music Man of Steel.

Wendy McMahon

Wendy McMahon is an education technology writer who has been working and writing in the edtech field for more than 15 years. She currently writes for EdSurge, EdTech Magazine and Pearson. She holds a Journalism Degree from the University of King's College.

Olivia Bechtel
TeacherVision Advisory Board Member Olivia Bechtel is a first grade teacher in Westerville, Ohio who loves implementing engaging, innovative lessons to inspire her students. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and two dogs.
Mikaela Prego

Mikaela Prego is an elementary educator from Massachusetts. She spent the last 3 years teaching 4th grade in Colorado, now she is back teaching in Massachusetts. Her favorite subjects to teach are math, science and social studies and she is a huge fan of putting the students in charge of as much of their learning as possible.

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We gathered our top articles of new teacher advice to create this ultimate guide. Each section provides real-world advice from REAL teachers. They've faced the same challenges you may be facing and have included their tips and tricks to make your life as a new teacher a little easier.

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Standardized testing is a part of most classrooms. But many teachers struggle with how to develop strong critical-thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and global citizens rather than simple test-takers. Here are four ways to ensure students do well on state exams and truly understand what they are learning.

1. Build Relationships

More than anything, building relationships with students is the key to helping them be successful. Of course, this works best with a smaller class size and takes much more work with a large group, but it can be done and does make a difference. I start by telling my class, "We are a family. As a family, we may argue and get on each other's nerves, but we are also fiercely loyal and devoted to the success of every family member." I work to get to know each student through discussions, journal entries, and one-on-one chats. I also use a great deal of humor in the classroom to break the ice and to help my students relax-after all, standardized testing can be stressful. I also use incentives like pizza parties or field trips (organizations like DonorsChoose often help me with funding). This helps build solidarity and a common goal in the classroom.
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2. Use "Making Student Thinking Visible" to Nail Open Response Questions

A couple of years ago, my school offered free professional development in the form of a 45-hour online course titled "Making Student Thinking Visible" (MSTV), part of John Saphier's Research for Better Teaching. The goal of MSTV is to help students articulate their thinking, so they become confident enough to manage their own discussions. The principles of MSTV include calling on all students, pausing and using wait time, avoiding judgment, and validating confusion.
Read more on Hey Teach: Studying for Finals
Before MSTV, I'd ask questions about a reading or a poem, the same four or five students would answer, and I'd assume everyone understood-but that wasn't always the case. Now, I put students in groups of three or four, and everyone must participate. For example, last week my students read the poem "It Sifts From Leaden Sieves" by Emily Dickenson. In their groups, they answered questions such as, "What is 'it'in the poem?" I listened as one student said, "It's dirt." Another student countered, "I don't think so, because 'alabaster' is white." Another interjected, "And the time of year is definitely winter." Gradually, the students came to the realization that the poem is about snow. Although it is sometimes difficult for me to "allow the struggle" as my students grapple with difficult work, they become so much more adept at breaking down questions, looking for evidence, and finding answers when I do, which ultimately helps them become better at answering open response questions.

3. Debate Multiple Choice Questions

I used to wrestle with the fact that I was going to have to have my students answer multiple-choice questions to familiarize them with the type of testing they could expect on the state exam. How could I make the experience valuable and meaningful for my students? First, I had my class complete multiple choice questions individually. Then I put them in small groups to argue out their answers, and then into a whole group to decide which answers were correct. In order to make a case for their choices, students were forced to explain and provide reasoning and evidence for their answers. Listening to my students debate their choices was as compelling as any courtroom drama. They pointed out faulty analysis, sloppy thinking, and detractors. This practice goes beyond rote multiple choice answering and helps students become better thinkers.

4. Write Frequently

There's no such thing as too much writing in the classroom (a fact that has taken over many weekends for me!). And writing should not just be the responsibility of the English or language arts teacher-students should write across disciplines. I ask my students to write narratives, literary analysis essays, synthesis essays, and essays of argumentation. Much of the writing is done in the classroom, so students can conference with me to ensure they have strong thesis statements, supporting paragraphs, and conclusions. We constantly work on grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The process starts off rather tedious, but after a while, as students become more skilled at writing and better understand my expectations, they become more confident and their writing gets stronger. I also provide my students with plenty of examples of good writing. As they read literary criticisms, personal reflections, and debates written by the masters, they begin to internalize style, transition words, and vocabulary. When faced with the long composition prompt on the state exam or SAT, students are ready.

Standardized testing will probably always be part of education. But by following these easy steps, you can ensure that your students truly learn and understand class material, and are ready to ace state exams.

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4 Surefire Ways to Help Students Ace State Standardized Testing

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Standardized testing is a part of most classrooms. But many teachers struggle with how to develop strong critical-thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and global citizens rather than simple test-takers. Here are four ways to ensure students do well on state exams and truly understand what they are learning.

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Now that spring break has come and gone and you are feeling refreshed, it's time to get through the final weeks of school. But how? The kids are going wild with spring fever acting like it is summer break already and you still have to teach. Three words my teacher friends...you got this! But it's not going to be easy! Here's what you are going to do to survive the final weeks of the school without going crazy and keeping your job.

There are signs of spring everywhere, the birds chirping, longer sunlit days, and beautiful flowers are in bloom. Forget about spring fever, it's more like summer fever. Unfortunately, school is not out yet and the number one thing to keep you sane is to not stray from routine. Continue doing your normal routine every day because once you slip, they know that it's over and it's not over until the last student is dismissed and the last bus pulls away. Teach the way you normally would, have high expectations and reinforce the rules to keep everyone in a safe learning environment.

Now, this doesn't mean you can't have a little fun. What to do? Change it up. Take your students outdoors to learn. Do an outdoor stem activity, read a class fave aloud under a tree in full bloom, or my personal favorite, have students do a partner walk and talk about a big idea or concept they are learning about. Bring out sidewalk chalk and have the kids hopscotch their way through their multiplication facts or draw a visual about a learned concept. Whatever suits the grade you teach, take the learning outside and have some fun in the sun either digging a bit deeper into learning or reviewing concepts or skills. Both you and your students will be happy that you did.

Start preparing now. Think about what needs to be done as far as packing personal belongings, classroom materials, and supplies. What needs to be done on the administrative side, like final assessments, grades and report cards, cumulative folders? What needs to be done about student's materials, supplies, portfolio, and projects? How about the physical space? Anything need to be moved, removed or repaired?

Don't do this alone. Utilize your students well. What could they do to help you reorganize, pack up, file, sort, label, rubber band? Make piles to keep, trash and donate too. Assign students to help with these responsibilities. They love this stuff!

Crazy as this may sound, but start preparing for next year. My best well-kept secret is how I leave for summer each year with all of my copies, lamination, resources, and materials ready for the following September. How you ask? The organized teacher inside me keeps a top secret folder with everything I need for the first 6 weeks of school. With some small revisions, I'm ready to get many of the things I need to be done for September now. I put this with all of my favorite back to school resources and materials in a safe location so I could retrieve it with ease when I return. Smart, huh?!

The end of the year is the best time to plan some really fun events and just have fun with your students.

Field Day - I love a good field day with my students as I watch and join them in outdoor activities, continually building relationships and classroom community. Your school doesn't have a field day? Well then plan one of your own with your students or with other teachers on your grade.

Project Display - Have your students worked on a special project or writing piece? Well now is the time to show it off and display it. Invite other classes, students and/or parents for a museum walk to ask questions about their work. Show it off, brag about it, teach other students. Encourage students to have fun with the work they produced and to be proud of it.

End of Year Trip - Planning a day out, even to a park to have a picnic lunch, is a great way to celebrate friendship and classroom community. Choose a location that your students will enjoy spending some quality time together. Have a backup if it rains or you will have some disappointed kiddos!

Farewell Breakfast - Feed them and they will come! I plan breakfasts throughout the year on special occasions and we get a really nice turnout. For this one parents and students join together one last time to say their goodbyes. And we didn't just have coffee and donuts. I've had some amazing parents go all out bringing in pancakes, homemade egg bakes, banana bread, pies...you name it, we've had it. It definitely beats having a class party with chips and cupcakes. Families join together for one last time and exchange their goodbyes.

Encourage students to persevere through the final weeks of school with positive words and affirmations. Teach, learn, smile, and repeat. If your students see you setting positive behavior, they will follow in your example. It will be easier for everyone if everyone chugs along on the positive train until school is out. And it won't be long. Each and every school year does come to its end. Remember you got this!

What are some things you do to survive the final weeks of school? Share in the comments below.

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Christine Weis is a passionate elementary teacher, classroom management coach, blogger, TpT author, mom of two busy boys and founder of For The Love of Teachers, a website/blog/Shop that provides tips and resources for all things elementary from writing to classroom management.

Filed Under: Blog

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How to Survive The Final Weeks of the School Year ~ For The Love of Teachers

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Christine Weis is a passionate elementary teacher, classroom management coach, blogger, TpT author, mom of two busy boys and founder of For The Love of Teachers, a website/blog/Shop that provides tips and resources for all things elementary from writing to classroom management. Filed Under: Blog

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Mentor Teacher/Protégé Checklist - Middle School

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Mentor Teacher/Protégé Checklist - Middle School

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I've had the pleasure of working with a lot of new teachers the past six years, and I've seen many of the same mistakes I made during my first year teaching repeated over and over. Teaching was difficult my first year, but I actually loved it and was not too overwhelmed most of the time. Needless to say, I did have my fair share of "rookie" mistakes!

I've learned that the best way I can help out new teachers is by sharing my story, and what teaching was like for me that first year. The best part of making mistakes is learning from them, so even if you make some of the mistakes listed below, it's all part of the process!

1. Never leaving school

It's your first real job and you want to do the best possible work. But staying at school till the custodian's lock-up is not the solution. Talk to your colleagues. Plan with a partner. You don't need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to preparing your lessons and activities. Above all, focus on being efficient, instead of just working hard, the latter leads to teacher burnout fast.

2. Missing out on all of the extra-curricular events

I remember so many people giving me the advice to take the first year and only focus on my teaching. Awful advice. Part of teaching is being part of the community and getting involved in extra-curricular activities and events. It's also important for your students to see you in other roles besides teacher. I took on the school newspaper and started coaching lacrosse in the spring...best two decisions I made in my first year.

3. Writing an email when a phone call would be better

This one may seem obvious to most veteran teachers, but as a new teacher, I would pour hours into crafting perfectly written emails to parents, co-workers, and administrators. In most cases, a phone call would have worked just as well, and would have saved me hours. Also, some things (especially if it involves emotion or two-sides to a situation) are better off spoken, and not written.

4. Making a phone call when a face-to-face conversation would be better

Ever heard of cabin fever? I think I had "classroom fever" at one point in my first year. I spent WAY too much time in that classroom. When I got up, went for a walk, and talked to some people face-to-face, it would help.

5. Focusing on that "one kid"

I don't know many teachers that haven't focused on that "one kid" at some point in their careers. Hey, it happens to the best of us, and there really isn't anything wrong with trying to help as much as possible. But, this "savior" mentality takes an emotional toll. It also blinds us to the other 20-some kids in the classroom who need our support and encouragement. Try to find the balance even when you are pulled in one direction.

6. Trying for a "well-managed" classroom

This is a biggie. Most of what they taught me in college made me view my job as a teacher close to one of a manager. Therefore I spent way too much time trying to make my classroom and my students "well behaved" so I could check "classroom management" off the list of things I had mastered. What was lost in all of this focus, was that my students needed to be engaged. And if the room looked a bit crazy, that did not matter as long as they had " high commitment and high attention " towards the learning activity. I did not learn this lesson till the middle of the year during a crazy debate filled class that was highly engaging and just the type of learning I wanted to replicate!

7. Too many summative assessments

I was worried early on that my students would not be focused in class unless there was a summative assessment in the near future. Please do not make this mistake. Creating a forced focus because of looming assessments is one of the worst ways to instruct and engage. A better way is through formative assessments...

8. Not enough formative assessments

I missed out on this one big time. Formative assessments are the best way to see whether students understand what you are doing in class. When you check for understanding as a teacher, the results can truly inform your instruction, instead of guessing where students may be in their understanding. Check out this awesome resource from Edutopia.

9. Too much homework

Again, I thought "rigor" was giving challenging homework. Why? Probably because when I was in high school the most challenging courses had more homework assigned. I had to shift this thinking when my grades started to reflect who did their homework instead of who demonstrated true understanding of the concepts and mastery of the skills we were covering. I'm not one to say we need to "get rid" of all homework (sometimes this makes sense), but I did have to rethink what my purpose was for sending work home with students.

10. Contacting parents with only negative news

I saw parents at back-to-school night and then the next time I spoke to most of them was when I had to call home or email about an issue in class. I was lucky that this did not happen very often, but looking back I'm ashamed of my negative reasons for reaching out to parents/guardians. I quickly learned that sending home good news is one of the best ways to build a good relationship with parents/guardians and the community.

11. Trying to write the same lesson plans you did in college

Remember those 4-5 page lesson plans that you had to type up in college? You are going to burn yourself out real fast if you try to write that kind of lesson plan for each class every day... Also, depending on what is in the "lesson plan" it really doesn't connect to the learning during class, but instead "what activities you are going to do" in class. Check out this post on learning plans and try for a shorter (but specific) approach instead.

12. Failing to think about your classroom design

Class design is more than just moving away from "desks in rows" or seating charts. This has taken me the longest to understand, but how you set up your learning space really impact the type of collaboration and communication that goes on in the classroom.

13. Thinking about technology as something separate and special

It is important to understand technology's role in learning. If you make technology something we are "going to do" as a class, then it becomes a special event. The problem with this thinking (and I did this with almost every project/activity in my first year) is that technology is no longer a "special event" in our daily lives. We use it seamlessly as an integral part of how we communicate, collaborate, create, learn, consume, and connect. So when we make technology a separate piece of learning, students get the impression that technology is only used for certain things at certain times, instead of having it available always as a resource but using it for a true learning purpose.

14. Not reaching out for enough help

If you are like me then you probably think you can do it all. I did (still do sometimes). I'd spend hours and hours working on a lesson or activity when I could have created a better lesson/activity in less time with the teacher next door. I rarely reached out to administrators for help, thinking they would see me as weak for not "knowing" how to do everything myself. Now I ask for help all the time. And guess what, people like helping other people! It is not an inconvenience especially when you can bring a new idea or way of thinking to the discussion.

15. Thinking project-based learning is too hard

It's hard as a new teacher to teach one lesson, at one pace, and keep all of the students engaged. But we wrestle with classroom management as if this is the only option. The issue is students are at all different levels of understanding and ability, and if you "teach to the average" you are actually not reaching any of the students ( great video here that explains the thinking.) Project-based learning, on the other hand, seems really difficult: How can I give a PBL experience that tailors my instruction and content for the wide variety of learners in my classroom?

Here's the thing, just like anything else, it is very hard to conceptualize without a step-by-step process to getting started. It is difficult to picture until you have seen it in action.

Call to Action

This is one of the many reasons I wrote my new book, The PBL Playbook. In the book, we share countless examples of how real teachers in real classrooms (right now) are using project-based learning to reach every kid in their class. The book is being released this Memorial Day weekend. But, until then, check out the FREE Epic Guide to Student Ownership that you can sign-up for here  - and see the five PBL experiences that changed my life as a teacher.

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15 Mistakes I Made My First Year Teaching (and what I learned making them)

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I've had the pleasure of working with a lot of new teachers the past six years, and I've seen many of the same mistakes I made during my first year teaching repeated over and over. Teaching was difficult my first year, but I actually loved it and was not too overwhelmed most of the time.

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Developmental Approach to Preparing for Standardized Tests

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Finding ways to keep students focused before the holidays is a difficult undertaking for teachers and parents, and for students as well. For many teachers, the difficult days start just before Thanksgiving and don't let up until the last bell sounds on the final school day before Christmas vacation.

The Power of 8

To help corral some of that pent-up energy between now and the break, teachers might:

1. Maintain your classroom structure - Don't let your rules and discipline go out the window. You can't expect your students to not get distracted by the holiday events but remember, students, thrive on stability. As tempting as it can be to break away from the routine, a student learns better when they know what to expect and when it will happen.

2. Acknowledge the upcoming holiday - Do keep your classroom atmosphere calm, but festive. Decorate your classroom (within district guidelines) and add holiday decor to a lesson, handouts, and activities.

3. Provide plenty of opportunities for movement - Give more frequent breaks so students can move around to burn off the extra energy. During the last week, take 10-second "wiggle breaks, introduce a new yoga move every day, or choose random days and times for a "Desk Switch." These breaks will also help concentration.

4. Plan a holiday-themed group project - Have students research and present the history and traditions of the various holidays and present them to the class. And if it's not too much of a burden, foods or games that represent their findings.

5. Keep your pacing and don't overcrowd the schedule - In light of all the seasonal distractions, it's sometimes difficult to stay on track. Make sure you're poised to finish presenting everything in your instructional plan before the break begins. This allows you to do a quick refresher of the material and be ready then start a new unit when you return from the break after the New Year.

6. Don't be a Scrooge, but do continue to teach - It's very tempting to back off during the last few days and start celebrating early. But the last thing parents want is the gift of a child who has spent the last few days before vacation watching movies and eating candy. Keep the emphasis on learning, and even if you're just as weary and excited for the break as they are, don't let it show. Even if you're not feeling it, fake it 'till you make it!

7. Give them some downtime - By December, most of your students can work independently and/or in small groups. Work on lesson plans and catch up on grading papers while students work independently. Take advantage of this time and do NOT decide to leave your grading to do over break ... You'll regret it!

8. Keep yourself well rested and organized - In addition to your job, you have your obligations for the holidays. Now is the time to make a list of what you need to get accomplished and get plenty of rest. Friends won't enjoy your company and your students won't benefit from your instruction if you're too stressed out and overtired.

Use your time off to make goals for yourself, revisit lessons that you have taught during the fall months, make notes in your planner about what worked and what didn't, and last but certainly not least, make sure to make time for yourself and your family during this busy holiday time.

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8 Ways to Keep Students Focused before the holidays - Screenflex

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Finding ways to keep students focused before the holidays is a difficult undertaking for teachers and parents, and for students as well. For many teachers, the difficult days start just before Thanksgiving and don't let up until the last bell sounds on the final school day before Christmas vacation.

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Incorporate More Cooperative Learning to Keep Students Focused

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Incorporate More Cooperative Learning to Keep Students Focused

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Do this before school starts.

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Keeping students engaged at the end of the school year can definitely be challenging. The weather is getting warmer. The days are getting longer, so they may be staying up later. Overall, the students, as well as the teachers, are ready for summer break! With the chaos of the end of the school year, it is important to keep your students excited, but still focused, as much as possible. Here are some easy ideas to keep your students engaged.

1. Change up the classroom layout.

There is no easier way to do a refresh than to change up your classroom layout. This could be as simple as moving the students desks to moving some or all of your furniture. I love a new seating arrangement every now and then.

2. Keep a routine as much as possible.

As crazy as the last few weeks of school can be, try to keep a routine as much as possible. I am a huge supporter of changing things up and throwing in fun activities, but I have certain things that I will do every single day as well. This helps to keep somewhat of a routine, which always helps to keep students feeling calmer.

3. Get your students moving...a lot.

This time of year, we are all getting antsy. I always feel like the students need a lot more movement than normal. We get outside as much as possible. We find new places to work in the classroom. I also love using and Cosmic Kids Yoga for much needed brain breaks.

4. Have some special "themed days" or do an ABC Countdown to the end of the school year.

Every year, our ABC Countdown ends up being one of my students favorite things about the school year. We countdown the last 26 days of school with a different theme for each day. We make these very simple A-Bring a Stuffed Animal Day, B- Bubblegum Day, C-Sidewalk C halk Day, etc.

This is also a great time to do a classroom transformation day like Superhero Day, Camping Day, Book Tasting, Construction Day, etc. Anything to get your students excited to come to school every day will help with student engagement throughout the year.

5. Do some STEM/STEAM projects.

Allow your students creativity to shine through with some STEM/STEAM projects.

6. Let your students teach.

Give your students the opportunity to teach the class something. You could give them a particular topic, or let them decide on their own. My 5th grade daughter has a monthly "passion project." They choose a topic and create a Powerpoint, poster, song, game, or whatever they come up with, to teach about a topic of their choice. Let me tell you, the topics that she chooses have been a little odd at times (onions, the game of Monopoly, history of dumpsters, ...) but I love that she is working on researching and presenting, all while learning random facts. This idea could definitely be used at any grade level with a little adjustment.

7. Let your students work in groups.

At this point of the year, it becomes harder and harder to cut down on talking. So instead of constantly trying to battle it, take advantage of the fact that your students know each other very well by now. Let them work together in groups to play games, solve problems, read and discuss books, etc. I love to do our Summer Challenge during the last week of school, which lets my students use their cooperative learning skills.

8. Find ways to celebrate their school year.

This could include creating Memory Books, having an end of the year class party, or making an end of the year video. We will definitely be doing this Virtual End of the Year Celebration.

9. Let them help you clean.

Your students LOVE to help you! Take advantage of this and let them help you clean and organize at the end of the school year. I always sort through my books and give away some well-loved (AKA - worn out) books to my students at the end of the year. They are also great helpers when it comes to sorting supplies. You will save so much time by having them help you with these types of tasks.

10. Reminisce and prepare for next year

Take the time to allow your students to reminisce about their school year. Give them a chance to talk about their favorite moments from the year. This is also a great time to get them prepared for next year. Have students from the next grade level tell them all about what to expect next year. I like to have my students write a letter to my class for next year.

Most importantly, remember to stay positive and have fun with your students!!

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10 Ways to Keep Students Engaged at the End of the School Year - Fun in First

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Keeping students engaged at the end of the school year can definitely be challenging. The weather is getting warmer. The days are getting longer, so they may be staying up later. Overall, the students, as well as the teachers, are ready for summer break!

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Teachers share their best advice to help new educators start their first year with confidence.