This year I am beginning my teaching career. I am privileged to be working with a year 6 class for 2011 at one of the top schools in the state. I have a very strong support base of teachers around me as well as a history with both the school and the students I will be teaching. The conditions are in a word perfect and I could never have hoped for a better start to my teaching profession.
With all this in mind I am still anxious about starting and have no idea what is going to be expected of me over the first few weeks. It's funny how I never did a prac on their first day, I literally have no idea what to do with them. We were always told to be firm and in control in the first couple of months of the year, but how does a teacher who is naturally very relaxed do that? Do I become the teacher I know I should be, or the teacher that I am? I am a little worried about how my already formed relationship with the students is going to impact on the classroom climate. As a prac student, I was fun, I took these kids on camp and was like their older brother, we were in control but we allowed them all to enjoy their camp experience. I know that if I let this occur in the classroom they will run riot and we won't get anything done. How do I integrate all the Web2.0 technology that I am so craving? Where do I get the resources that are required, comprehensions, spelling, homework, templates, maths problems etc.
From that great support base I mentioned and the many great teachers/mentors I have around I have come to one main solution; I don't have to be the greatest teacher in my first year. I will make mistakes, I will have to try different things, and I will have to become 'different teachers' to get the best out of my students. Consequently I have this terrible thought in my head that I am somehow disadvantaging the students in my class as the other two year 6 teachers are excellent accomplished teachers.
Everyone keeps saying how much work we will have to do this year, being the first year and the lack of resources etc but I honestly don't mind the work, I am more concerned that I am going to miss something or that I'm going to make a fool out of myself.
Enough complaining
How to start the year (plans). Every year must start with time to get to know the teacher, decorate the room, set the rules and explain what is going to happen, or in other words set the expectations. This will involve some ice-breaker games aimed at getting to know the students and conveying the idea that it is their classroom which they should take pride of and hopefully care. I will do an online safety session and gauge their understanding of online technology (trying to get them excited about it). I will also have to do some assessment. I am currently thinking how I can engage the students but comprehensively assess their writing, reading, maths literacy etc.
Maybe i'll just let them all go outside and we can play sport all day. Sounds fun easy and sure to win me some votes! (kidding)
With all this in mind I am still anxious about starting and have no idea what is going to be expected of me over the first few weeks. It's funny how I never did a prac on their first day, I literally have no idea what to do with them. We were always told to be firm and in control in the first couple of months of the year, but how does a teacher who is naturally very relaxed do that? Do I become the teacher I know I should be, or the teacher that I am? I am a little worried about how my already formed relationship with the students is going to impact on the classroom climate. As a prac student, I was fun, I took these kids on camp and was like their older brother, we were in control but we allowed them all to enjoy their camp experience. I know that if I let this occur in the classroom they will run riot and we won't get anything done. How do I integrate all the Web2.0 technology that I am so craving? Where do I get the resources that are required, comprehensions, spelling, homework, templates, maths problems etc.
From that great support base I mentioned and the many great teachers/mentors I have around I have come to one main solution; I don't have to be the greatest teacher in my first year. I will make mistakes, I will have to try different things, and I will have to become 'different teachers' to get the best out of my students. Consequently I have this terrible thought in my head that I am somehow disadvantaging the students in my class as the other two year 6 teachers are excellent accomplished teachers.
Everyone keeps saying how much work we will have to do this year, being the first year and the lack of resources etc but I honestly don't mind the work, I am more concerned that I am going to miss something or that I'm going to make a fool out of myself.
Enough complaining
How to start the year (plans). Every year must start with time to get to know the teacher, decorate the room, set the rules and explain what is going to happen, or in other words set the expectations. This will involve some ice-breaker games aimed at getting to know the students and conveying the idea that it is their classroom which they should take pride of and hopefully care. I will do an online safety session and gauge their understanding of online technology (trying to get them excited about it). I will also have to do some assessment. I am currently thinking how I can engage the students but comprehensively assess their writing, reading, maths literacy etc.
Maybe i'll just let them all go outside and we can play sport all day. Sounds fun easy and sure to win me some votes! (kidding)
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