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The Black and White of Using Diverse Literature
Anita Lael
Reading Aloud to Children: Introducing a Love for Poetry
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Literacy is a Family Affair: Introducing a Love for Poetry
William Kearns and Betty Porter Walls
William Kerns and Betty Porter Wall
I will typically switch from a carpet activity to a desk activity to get students moving. This allows the students to stretch their legs. I may also plan a restroom or stretch break. Consider this example of planning your morning: carpet lesson, desk activity, restroom break, recess, finish desk activity, carpet lesson, lunch, desk activity, etc. Notice the amount of opportunity for movement.
Keep Materials Handy
You do not want to be scrambling for worksheets and materials during instructional time. From the first day on, keep materials together and at arm’s length so you can grab and continue teaching. Use five small plastic bins with the day of the week printed on the front to store materials for each day. Before I leave each day, I place the bin for the following day near my teacher chair so I can be ready for the next day.
Your First Day is Here
Reduce your stress by planning to arrive early to ensure securing a parking spot. Most parents will want to walk their child into the building, which means there could be more traffic and less parking than usual. As students enter your classroom smile and greet them. Remember they just as nervous as you. Place a coloring packet or some easy-type of activity on students’ desks. Make sure it is something that all students can do successfully. Once all students are in your classroom, introduce yourself. You can bring photographs, personal items, or create a PowerPoint presentation.
Classroom Rules
Classroom rules help students know what to expect in the classroom, so some rules need to be introduced on the first day. Tell students that you would like to create some rules together that everyone can try their best to follow. Allow students to suggest rules as you record. Phrase the rules to state desired behavior instead of undesired behavior. For example, Be caring and helpful to others versus Do not be mean to others
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Final Thoughts
Your first day on the job is not going to be flawless. It will probably include some chaos and distress, and that is okay. Each day will get easier. One year after my difficult first day, a close friend told me, “If each of your students gets home safely, the day was a success.”
Resources
Tips for New Teachers: The First Day of School | Scholastic. (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2018, from https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/top-tips-first-days-school-grades-1x965/
Hensley, L. (2002). First year 101. The Science Teacher, 69(6), 26-29. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.lib.uh.edu/docview/214619716?accountid=7107\
Kelly Woods has a bachelor’s degree of science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree of education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston. She has taught kindergarten, first, and second grades in Houston, Texas, for the last eight years. I
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