With middle school on the horizon, fifth grade is high stakes, and while I'm enjoying myself, I'm not sure how long I'll stay. But there's one thing I know for sure -- this experience has taught me more about early childhood education than another year in first grade ever could have. Teaching some of the same kids in the same school has created the ideal conditions to constantly wonder, "What did I do or what should have I done when teaching first grade to prepare these kids for this stage?
Over the past seven months, here are six things I've learned that early childhood educators should do every day:. Some of the same students who were once saying, "I'm bad at math" are still saying, "I'm bad at math. They trick you into believing you are either "good" or "bad," and that growth isn't possible -- which is why it's important to tell them exactly what they are good at in each subject area, starting in the primary grades.
Then they will understand that they have strengths along with their areas for growth, and by the time they get to fifth grade, hopefully they won't be saying, "I'm bad at math" any more.
Recently Danny hasn't wanted to come to school. He puts is head down for most of the day. Last week, he walked out of the classroom without permission -- twice. I've had lots of conversations with Danny, and in each one, he reveals that nobody likes him and he'd rather stay at home.
My co-teacher and I pulled the class together, presented them with this problem, and asked, "What should we do? Keep a filing system for the classroom. Students will need to use folders, notebooks, textbooks, and other materials on a daily basis. Decide on how you will organize such materials and where they will be placed around the room. Remember that space may be limited.
Consider using cubbies and shelves to store student materials. Create a filing system for yourself. Teachers handle a great deal of paperwork, including lesson plans, worksheets, student work, and general school announcements. Create a filing system at school and at home, if necessary for the many papers you will be handling. There are many online tools that help you track student grades.
Your school may even have its own website for grades and student assignments. Accordion folders, crates, and bins are all helpful for managing papers. Consider using unconventional tools like mason jars and old suitcases to organize other materials. Manage your time. Being a teacher can feel like a hour job. Between administrative duties, calling parents, lesson planning, grading, and actually teaching, your time can go by very quickly. Prioritize your tasks and set aside time for each one during the week.
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Soren Rosier, PhD. Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Yes No. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1. You can give a thorough explanation of the material that was tested, how the test was graded, and where the student made mistakes.
If the student is upset, you may consider offering them a chance to make corrections to their work or do another assignment for extra credit. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Do not use abusive or offensive language in front of kids. Helpful 8 Not Helpful 1.
Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1. Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1. Helpful 6 Not Helpful 2. Related wikiHows How to. How to. How to Teach with a Master's Degree. More References 3. Is she complaining about it at home? Or does she like it? Is there some special activity that she really enjoyed? Does she talk about the things she learns in school? Most teachers would rather hear about problems sooner than later, so they can work on turning things around as quickly as possible.
So don't forget to mention the good stuff. Is she being teased or harassed? Is she too shy to make new friends? Does she need to branch out from her one best friend and get to know other kids? In elementary school, there is still a lot teachers can do to mold social relationships.
But they need to know what the problem is before they can start to solve it. Or, a desire to write may be stimulated by an invitation to describe one of the subjects your child loves.
Let the teacher know if there is something that really motivates your child, so she can capitalize on it in the classroom. If you think an issue might come up in these or other areas, let the teacher know. That means around to 8 p. Children who regularly go to bed later on school nights have a hard time keeping up in school, teachers say. They end up being tired and grouchy, they're more likely to have behavioral problems, and they aren't able to fulfill their academic potential.
Even sleep specialists are now beginning to believe that certain behavioral and learning problems among children are the result of undetected sleep deprivation.
The bottom line is that a good night's sleep is the best guarantee of a pleasant and productive day at school. Children who skip breakfast may not feel hungry when they first get to school, but according to teachers, they usually hit a slump around mid-morning and can't keep their minds on schoolwork, until sometime after lunch. If your child doesn't like the traditional foods kids eat for breakfast, let him eat what he does like. There's nothing nutritionally wrong with eating pizza or a peanut butter sandwich in the morning.
Or, if all else fails, send him to school with a breakfast bar and a box of juice, so he can get something in his belly before the first bell rings. A kid who goes to school without mittens, a hat, or boots in the winter may have to sit inside for recess while her classmates spend their excess energy on the playground.
A child who doesn't have shorts and sneakers on gym day may end up sitting on the sidelines, while everyone else is running around having fun. Children don't always have the best judgment when it comes to protective clothing.
If it's warm in the house, they assume it's going to be warm outside, for example. And they don't always remember which days they have gym or other special activities. Even year-olds aren't that reliable when it comes to identifying their own clothing from a heap on the locker room floor.
Most children aren't thinking about lunch when they run out to meet the bus or jump in the car in the morning.
It's your job to either make it, take it, or remind your child to remember about lunch. Fifth graders may be able to do this on their own, but it never hurts to ask, "Got your homework? Find a way to help you both stay on top of teacher requests. Hang up a big calendar with important dates circled in red, for instance, or put up post-it notes on the bathroom mirror the night before a special day at school.
If you anticipate any change in the daily routine, or in the person greeting your child after school, make sure you give plenty of notice. Chronic lateness is not only disruptive to the entire class, it can make a child feel out-of-step all day. Plus, it sends a message that school is not important enough to be on time for. That includes picking out school clothes preferably the night before , getting up on time using an alarm clock, if necessary , getting dressed, washing up and brushing his teeth, getting his own breakfast ready, making up his bed, and checking to make sure he has everything he needs in his backpack.
If necessary, make him a checklist to help him remember everything that needs to be done. While there's no set formula, it will help if your child has a regular time and place to do her homework each day. That way she's less likely to forget to do it, and less likely to fight about doing it "later on.
Teach him that as soon as he gets home from school, he should unpack his backpack, put his homework materials in his homework place, and hand you or put in a special place any newsletters, notes from the teacher, papers to sign, or special work he's brought home.
Then he can watch TV, or have his snack, or do whatever else is planned. If you make this part of a daily routine, you're less likely to be hit during the morning rush with, "Oh, no!
I'm supposed to bring in cupcakes for the party today" or "Today's the day you're supposed to come to school for our science fair. That includes toys scattered on the living room floor, bikes, and roller skates left out on the driveway, and wet towels left cold and lonely on the bathroom floor.
My sister, who just graduated from college, called me this week to let me know she had received a job offer — to teach 5th grade. Fifth grade was my absolute favorite grade to teach. Not only have they developed a sense of humor, but they have clear interests.
I learned so much about weird, random stuff from my 5th graders. And I definitely learned to be a more patient person, and not to take things personally.
I know my sister is going to want to know everything I can tell her to prepare her for her first year teaching as a 5th grade teacher, but a lot has changed since my first year. For example, my first year teaching, we used these amazing pieces of tech called overhead projectors. They were an awesome way to model lessons for your students, unless the light bulb went out. Then you were writing on the board with your back to a class of 5th graders for several weeks while you waited for a new light bulb to be ordered.
Technology has come a long way. There are definitely new challenges that are way beyond just light bulbs. The best thing you can do your first year teaching is to choose a classroom management system and stick with it. It most definitely should not change each week as you try something completely new.
Choose a strategy, and stick with it for a while. Before you begin teaching, make a list of all of the ways students can be disruptive. Maybe even ask some of your other teacher friends.
Then come up with how you are going to calmly, and fairly handle the situation.
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