New Teacher

All right guys....I'm new here and just landed my first full time teaching job this week..

I realize that I don't need to have a step by step plan for the entire year done by August, but I'd like to have at least the 1st quarter planned out effectively for each class...at least with broad outlines and a general sense of how many days I'll need for things.

So with that in mind:
-Anyone out there taught US or World history?
-Anyone have suggestions for how to establish a safe, positive classroom environment?
-Any general advice for me?

Re: New Teacher

Be firm, be consistent, be positive, stay organized!

Set up your rules and consequences early and ahead of time. If you know them, they'll get to know them. Can'tmake them up as you go.

Plan for random little activities/lessons that can be done for those days when you have a headache and can't 'teach=teach'.

Stay organized. I use post it notes in my planner and try to plan 2 weeks at a time. I used to plan for a month or so at a time, but that doesn't work with my new curriculum.

Re: New Teacher

First off, Congrats!!

My advice would be to contact your school (chairperson). I know when I started out my colleagues were amazing and really helped me keep pace. I think it is hard to plan the whole first quarter out before the school year starts because you have no idea what your students will be like and how fast they will catch on.

As for starting off the school year, I am a firm believer that the first day can determine your year. If you let something slide, the kids will remember. I am not one for saying you can not smile the first day (as this is not my nature), but the students have to know you mean business.

My biggest piece of advice is to be fair and consistent. Keep your rules positive, reinforcing good behavior instead of acknowledging bad behavior.