For some of us, summer school is finally ending, and we are finally getting a chance to relax. For others, we are getting ready to return for the 2017-18 Pre-Service. However you have spent your summer so far, it is always a great time to sit back, relax, and reflect on how last year went, and what you want to add, change, or take out for next year! You can tackle all of the curriculum and unit planning you want, or identifying new opportunities for group work. Hopefully you’re lucky enough to have an amazing team that you enjoy and can collaborate with in order to prepare for the upcoming school year.
If you are just entering the classroom, you are probably thinking about anything and everything to do with your new classroom – How you will get along with your new co-workers and what your students will be like. Be sure to use this time to plan and prepare for those team-building and “get to know you activities” that will be so vital to the success of your classroom. Tribes Learning Community (Tribes), is a great resource to help set up a safe and effective classroom environment within your classroom. While teaching the standards is one of the most important aspects of your job, you can’t do that without building relationships with your students and among one another. By front-loading the year with community building activities, it will help the rest of the year flow smoothly by laying a foundation of respect and growth.
Although it’s only the beginning of July, that scary, yet exciting first day of school is just around the corner. Whether you’re a new teacher, or a veteran teacher with 20 years of experience, that first day is always something for the memory books!
ETDnow 