Minneapolis: August 19, 2022—School Children in Minnesota will head back to classes soon after Labor Day. But as a substitute teacher I am excited to engage children again after a long, beautiful summer.
My favorites grade level happens to be 4th grade. The children are still old enough to positively influence with purpose and direction.
The rebellious stage occurs around the middle of the 5th grade. Students begin to get a sense of their independence from the opinions of adults and become peer oriented.
Autumn Tips
Autumn is a wonderful time excite students about nature. Gather plenty of fall reading books and educate students about nature. Topics should center around changing colors, falling leaves, harvesting pumpkins.
Make Jack’-o- Lantern in the classroom and decorate the wall for Halloween. The activity will put students into the mood for the colorful season.
Halloween is the first classroom, holiday celebration. Allow them to bring their best candies and exchange treats among themselves.
Better yet, consult with other teachers and allow all lower grades participate in the festivity. Children just might honor you as a fun and exciting teacher.
Lastly, take students outside and let them play among the colorful autumn tree leaves that have already fallen from the trees. Do this often and you will have happy campers.
First Day of School Plan
When you walk into the classroom on the first day of school, please have a plan for the entire school year. This is good for your initial confidence, which the children will quickly sense within you.
Things you should consider are:
- Quickly establishing classroom structure with rules
- Determine student roles and responsibilities. Give them that sense of ownership
- Introduce and implement classroom routines and rituals
- Establish and incentive program for excellent attitude and behaviors. Include the awards for top academic achievement as well.
- Set up plans for morning as well as evening discussions regarding the state of the classroom, at least once a week.
If you are ready and excited about the first day of school, the children will also be ready and eager to get started.
Releasing Classroom Stress
Release the stress of wanting a perfect classroom. This attitude has sent more educators packing for alternative professions. Don’t let this happen to you.
Teachers experience burnout because they hold on to old fashion ideas of how a classroom should be and how students should act toward educators.
However, today is a new day. To a certain extent, you must compromise some of your rigid ideas to show poise and patience. And yes, Love!
Be Joyful about the New Year!
Determine to enjoy the school new school year! Studies show that if we establish expectations of success it will manifest in our lives sooner rather than later. Besides, the students need you to be happy. Your smiling aura might be the only thing they see that gives them hope for a better tomorrow.
