This Cheat Sheet summarizes how to handle some of the tricky parts of being a first-year teacher, including planning for a substitute teacher, keys to a successful teaching observation, what you should get done during the first week of school, and how to deal with minor behavior problems.
Planning for a substitute teacher
Don’t leave your substitute teacher in the lurch! Give them more than just lesson plans (although definitely do leave those). Make sure you also include the following:
- A copy of your schedule, including the times each class begins and ends
- Your seating chart (kids will try to sit wherever they want if they see a sub in the room)
- A map showing how to get from class to class if you’re a floating teacher
- A description of what to do in case of a fire or other emergency drill, including the evacuation route your kids are supposed to follow
- Any important information about individual students:
- Medical conditions and instructions to follow if the condition flares up during class
- Important parts of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), such as “Student should not be required to read in front of the class”
- An explanation of how and when to assign hallway passes, and any procedures you have in place that differ from the norm
- A description of your duty assignments and an explanation about how to fulfill the responsibilities of each
- The name and room number of a nearby teacher of the same subject or grade level, who can help out and answer questions the sub may have
- Your phone number, so that the sub can call you if they have any questions
- A list of kids who are trustworthy in each class (but ask that the list not be made public)
Keys to a successful observation
If a supervisor or administrator is rating your class, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure your lesson includes any elements required by your school district.
- Showcase your best material.
- Don’t make any dramatic changes to your class on observation day.
- Demonstrate your relationship with students.
- Don’t worry about a little bit of noise in the room.
- Try to involve all your kids in the lesson.
Things to accomplish during the first week of school
Set yourself up for success by completing these tasks:
- Highlight the important rules in your classroom.
- Discuss emergency and safety procedures.
- Distribute textbooks, laptops, and other school-furnished supplies as soon as possible.
- Explain your grading system.
- Distribute introduction cards to collect information.
- Discuss any major projects for the year.
- List the field trips you’ll take.
- Explain how to get extra help.
- Use ice breaker activities to build community.
How to handle minor behavior problems
Here are a few things you can do to squelch bad behavior without resorting to administrators:
- Use proximity: Approach and stand beside the culprit.
- Give the offender the icy stare of death.
- Defuse potential distractions with humor.
- Employ a distraction.
- Rearrange your seating chart.
- Isolate the offender.
- Don’t be stingy on detentions.
- Call a parent or coach and outline your concerns.
- Send kids to another teacher.
