Progress of room set-up

Today, I made a LOT of progress.  My classroom is not finished by any means but I have had some very good realizations.  (I must apologize that these last few and certainly next few blog posts will not be very enlightening to you all but are more of reflections on setting up my first classroom and getting through the entire process!) The first and most important thing I need to remember is that progress is something and I need to focus on areas that I have made progress.  Focusing only on my continually growing list of things to do is going to get me no where.

Secondly I have realized that when I dont feel comfortable or things aren't working for me I NEED to change them.  I probably rearranged parts of my room at least 10times to finally get it where I am pleased.  I decided that even though I am not totally sure on anything that I will be implementing in my classroom I still want to have a writing station and large reading or possibly work area for the students to move around in.  I also want the option of wall space which I had none of before.  So here is a general picture of my classroom from the front door.  Again this isnt finished and really is old furniture moved around.

You can't tell from this picture but there is another large bulletin board to the far left that is now easily accessible by the students which was my goal the whole time. Plus the area to the right is open wall space which will create my writing station... I think.  

I must mention that the desk set up is not staying.  No joke every single teacher in grades 3-6 has their desks set up in groups.  While yes I will be going to groups eventually I think that starting the year different and able to see everyone will be fun for all of us!  Also, thankfully those wonderful chair pockets (that is what they are called right? I had to google it but still am not sure...wow my brain needs a break already!) were given to me. Each class has a set of them and they are beautiful!  

Anyway, the point is I made progress on my room set up.  Progress on planning and all of the other things.... I have not gotten there yet.

Oh ya back to my ORIGINAL point.  I also realized today that I need to focus on areas that I can fix in a matter of days... tomorrow is all staff day. Friday is new student orientation. Monday is first day of school!! I had to get over my classroom library.  While it is wonderful that I have all of those books, I want them to look like all the other fabulous libraries that I have seen.  Frankly that is not going to happen in the next 3 days.  Also, I had to realize that cabinets filled with things are going to have to wait.  I may need them later, I may not, but for now I cant worry about it.  

ok that is all for now.  Sorry I ranted about my learnings but it will help me remember!  Hope you all are having some successes in your classrooms! 

Subbing Reflections: Connecting with Students

This is my last post of my mini series on my reflections of my year of substituting.  The series started here.

Connecting with the students is probably the most important thing that I learned during my time substituting.  I definitely understand the importance of connecting in a normal classroom. However, only spending one day or a few days with a group of students makes making that connection much harder.  But again the importance of that relationship is the same.

[WOW!!! I started this post yesterday to be faithful to my commitment of posting on this topic MWF..... clearly that did not happen!  I was sitting quietly watching the Olympic Trials (I LOVE anything Olympics!!) when my house was basically raided by a bunch of our friends.  It was absolutely wonderful! It just meant blogging took a very back burner.  Ok enough of an explanation.  Let's try to get back on topic here, Brittany.]

Connecting with students even as a substitute.  One of my favorite times subbing was for third grade. As soon as the students began coming into the classroom they were shouting praise because I was there.  They were thrilled to have me and because of that were all the more ready to listen and obey :) I got so many 'I love yous' and 'We're so glad you're here'; it was truly wonderful.  It lasted all day.  Even as they left I got hugs and questions of if I was coming back tomorrow.  Those are always the best days when the students truly appreciate you and want to see you again!!

Another experience that I loved was subbing for eighth graders two Fridays in a row.  The first week was a little slow.  The students were not sure whether to trust me or hate me. (aren't those the only two options for eighth graders?) Also, I had the same groups of students multiple times that day, so by half way through the day, most had decided that I was an acceptable substitute (whew!).  So some joking and story telling was beginning.  By the end of the day I got a couple 'Are you coming back?' questions that made my day.  And lucky for them, I was! So the next Friday, when they came in and saw me they were thrilled as well, just without all the verbal praise obviously.  I knew they really liked me when I started getting stories about their drama and being asked what I thought about it!! That is some high praise for a substitute.  Although eighth graders can be a challenge, it was truly a joy to work with them.

Now, for a not so good experience.  I know this bad experience was for multiple reasons, but one that I can control was the lack of connection with the students.  It was one of my first experiences subbing in high school.  The teacher I was subbing for basically runs the computer lab.  So she has everything from Rosetta Stone, to Photography, to Study Hall.  But a lot of it is student led work.  For me this meant I did almost nothing!  It was torture for a teacher who likes to be hands on and engaging with the students. I had very little to talk to the students about because I was new to the school and had no idea what they were working on.  Any conversation I started I felt like I was pulling teeth to get the students to respond.  I realize that part of this is because of the age of the students.  But part of it was my attempt to try. After a few times of only receiving a nod or a shrugged shoulder, I lost motivation to connect with the students.

All of this is to say that making a connection with the students makes the job so much easier.  If you are able to connect and have that relationship with students, they are more likely to trust you, to listen to you, and to do as you say.  Without that connection it is much harder.  The students I did not have that with did not know my name, nor did I know theirs.  They did not acknowledge me anywhere or ever seem interested in having me back.  They also did not listen well while I had them in class.

Now I know every group of students is different. But I have learned that for me I need to do whatever I can to make some sort of connection with the students in effort to make the whole day, week, year better and run more smoothly.

How do you help make connections with students?  Have you ever had a situation where you 'failed' to make that connection and could see it results because of that?

Subbing Reflections: Procedures and Grading

          In continuing the mini series on subbing reflections, I wanted to talk a little bit about procedures and grading. This series is a reflection of the past year that I spent substituting in almost all grade levels!  It was quite chaotic the adventure. As a sub, I tried to make sure that things ran as close to normal as possible. During my student teaching that was something I quickly learned from the students.  They all asked if after my student teaching I would be their sub since I knew how the class was supposed to run.  They "hated" having substitutes that did not know what they were doing or the routine of the day.  So my goal was to keep it simple but hopefully somewhat normal.  

         However, often when I got into a classroom I was unaware of the procedures or the way classroom was run.  Teachers would give me lessons for the day but not information about their attendance procedures, or lunch or even indoor recess procedures!!  I have recently discovered several Sub Tubs or subbing packets that have had templates for teachers to include all of this information.  One of my most favorite things I found on pinterest is the Sub Tub from Terri Thorton which can be found at her TPT store here! This is something that I feel is very important for substitutes to have so that they can be aware of all or any information necessary! 

          The other thing that I often found myself wishing that I had was information or an explanation about grading.  I know that some teachers prefer to give a test or quiz while there is a substitute so that there is not instruction time for the substitute.  Although I do not mind this, I wish teachers would think it through a little more.  For example, it would be wonderful if the answer key was available so that I could potentially help the students with any questions they might have.  Or include page numbers from where the questions came from so I could find them.  Also, I often found myself with free time and would want to grade the tests/quizzes that the students just took.  I could sometimes grade right and wrong but not total the points or anything.  I know that teachers like to have control over grading and what not but if the test is easy to grade why not let the substitute do it!!  Leaving a grading guide or an answer key is ideal, it provides the opportunity for te sub to grade or help the students.  The teacher would just have to mention in the note that grading would be nice but is not necessary.   

          Including a list of procedures or grading tips is a simple thing that teachers can include in their sub plans in order to help out their substitutes. I hope to include all of these things in my sub plan folder that will remain visible in my room.  Hope this is helpful.  I feel like I am often preaching to the choir but again, this is more for my reflection and memory!  

What kinds of things do you include in your sub folders? Do you leave grading materials for your subs?

Subbing Reflections: Supplies

In continuing the series on Subbing Reflections, which started here.  I wanted to talk a little bit about supplies.  This is probably an area where I failed the most as a substitute.

I was always told that a good substitute always has a "Bag of Tricks" which to me sounded awesome!  I wanted to have a Bag of Tricks.  But one thing led to another and I found myself going to school with things to entertain myself with rather than the students.  It seemed like they were more busy than I was.  Which in all reality the students having work is far better than me working but still.  My mind quickly forgot about the need for a Bag of Tricks.

A couple of times however I was reminded of this.  The first was a day when I was doing some sort of project with the students and they needed to use a stapler and tape.  Unfortunately the teacher locked up all of her things and forgot to leave out the stapler and tape.  It was a mess.  At first I just kept telling the students I didn't have one.... that did not last long!  After about the millionth tenth person came to ask me for these things, I realized I needed to find some.  I sent a student next door to ask the very generous teacher in his nicest kindest voice for some supplies.  Thankfully the teacher let us use her things so the students could complete their project.

Another time I had to cover a the latter half of a Friday afternoon for a math teacher.  She was going home because she had an awful night/day etc, which is fine, but she had no motivation to plan for me and just wanted to go home.  So she said the most dreaded words a substitute can hear (especially for high schoolers on FRIDAY) "Just give them study hall."  I wanted to pull my hair out and scream NOOOOOOOO!  But I held it together, smiled, and said "Okay." ugh.  Once she left I quickly pulled up Discovery Education's Free Puzzlemaker and began working!  I made a handful of activities for the students to occupy themselves with.  And thankfully it worked!  There were only a couple of complaints but I can handle that much better than a group of chaotic, loud, always trying to find something to get into teenagers!

So my tip for substitutes is always have a bag of tricks with you.  Essential every day use items are essential to have with you in case the teacher doesn't provide them.  Also have things to keep the students busy in case the teacher doesn't provide anything.  Teachers... leave your subs supplies!!!  I know it may be a pain to leave things out but it helps subs out soo much.

Do any of you have special things you leave for substitutes?  Do any of you substitutes have a bag of tricks? If so, what do you have in it?  Finally,, does anyone use the free puzzlemaker?? It is one of my favorite tools and can be used for so many different things.

Subbing Reflections: Drills

This is a continuation of my Subbing Reflections mini series which began here.

 Within the first week of school, I was faced with one of my biggest frustrations in subbing.... DRILLS.  Fire drills, tornado drills, lock down drills, you name it, I subbed during it :(  Fortunately, some teachers were prepared, told me up front about it, and had the procedure mapped out for me.  Unfortunately, some teachers were completely oblivious to the drill.... which meant so was I!

My least favorite experience was 7th grade math.  At the beginning of the period the kids came in very slyly.  And I was worried.  One student finally blurt out, "Were having a fire drill!!"  My instant response was...., "No were not!"  Then the rest of the class was all in agreement that we indeed were having a drill.  I panicked.  Quickly I found the attendance sheet and took attendance, made sure I knew how many I was supposed to have.  I questioned the kids about which direction to go and was surprised by the route they knew thinking there was a better one.  As I questioned their responses, I didn't receive an answer because the alarm went off.  Sure enough they were right as all the other students were headed in the same direction.  It was crazy.  We all made it to where we were supposed to be and all was well.  Luckily for me the teacher left me short lessons for every period so I did not have to rush to get everything in!  It was crazy though.  Thank goodness the students knew more than the teacher!

Anyway, maybe this doesn't happen in all schools or maybe larger schools are better prepared for this. But my small private school needed/needs to work on their ability to inform teachers and substitutes the day of.  Emails an hour before the drill is not helpful to a sub who doesn't always have access to email.  I know I could go on and on about how the school needs to change but that is not productive.  What I can talk about, however, is how I will be prepared for this in the future.  Easy fix for substitutes, always ask the office if anything special is going on once you arrive.  Make sure you know the ways out or the proper procedure.

Something I want to have in my classroom is called an ER Plan.  This ER Plan will always be beside the entrance of the room.  Within this folder will be all necessary information in case of emergency.  A list of students (possibly first name only depending on school guidelines), a total number of how many students should be in the classroom at all times, and all necessary routes and procedures for drills and emergencies.  Also, I will have a pen and possibly a whistle.  This way if we just get in the class or are up doing crazy things, I can grab this and head out.

Additionally when teaching the students about emergency plans and routines, I will explain the ER Plan folder to them and how important it is for it to stay in its proper place.  But if there is every a substitute or a visitor in charge of the room, the students will know that this folder should be taken in case of any emergency.

Oh yes, and of course I will have all of this information in my sub tub or folder that has all of my other lovely information a sub would need to know.  But the point is in case of anything a more easily accessible folder of information will be ready at the door.

Do you do anything special with emergency information or to help prepare your substitutes for drills?

P.S.  Shout out to Erin from Tales from Room 112 who is having a wonderful giveaway!  She is giving away a polka dot themed classroom set.  I LOVE polka dots and really hope to be a winner, but regardless of the giveaway you should go over and check out her blog.  She has lots of wonderful things!!  Another wonderful thing about Erin is that we share the same home state.  OHIO!!

New mini series: Subbing Reflections

Since I am moving to Thailand, crafts and making things for my classroom aren't much of an option; although that doesn't mean I'm not going to try a few things.  :)  So I have come up with a mini series to do instead.  It will be Monday, Wednesday, Friday for the next couple weeks, so today is a sneak peak at the schedule.  It will start Monday.

I firmly believe that reflection is important to success, especially in learning.  Without reflection we do not know what we should have done better or different.  Reflection also helps us see what we did well. I believe that as a teacher, I need to show and teach my students the value of reflection.  So that is what I am going to do the next couple of weeks.

I had the wonderful pleasure of subbing at a private K-12 school this semester.  I subbed anywhere from 1st grade aid, to elementary gym, to senior English.  Every day was an adventure.  But through these adventures I learned many things.  Things I would need to remember if I was still subbing or things I need to remember as a new teacher.  Since I need to remember these things, I figured I need to write it down, or else I will forget!  (Anyone else have the problem?)

Anyway, I know that for some this information is quite routine, but for hopefully it will help someone...and it will help me so I guess I've already accomplished my goal!!  I made this silly picture to put on here so there is some fun color and silliness.

Ok that is enough explanation.  Here is the first thing I learned that is also quite silly.  If possible, live right next door to school!! I lived 3 minutes from school.  This meant that when the school realized last minute they needed a sub, I was the first one they called because I was the closest!  Unfortunately (but fortunately for our finances), the second to last week of school hubby and I moved out of our apartment and into the in-laws,  this meant that I was now 30 minutes from school. Getting to school was much more difficult, not impossible just longer than 3 minutes!  Thankfully, I had already built up the reputation so the school was still able to request me.   Along with this, I learned very quickly that being available is your biggest asset. Teachers and secretaries like to know that their subs are available and willing to come whenever needed.  So that is my basic/quick tip for substitutes.   (I know, nothing revolutionary...but something)

Anyway, here are some other topics I learned about and how I will be prepared in my own classroom:

• Fire and other drills
• Extra supplies
• Seating charts
• Grading
• Procedures
• Emotions

Again, hopefully this will help someone.  But it is a time for me to reflect on the past semester and see what all I can gather from these experiences.