Teachers - need your advice

Okay, I am beginning to prep for my first day next mon (7th and 8th grade Social Studies at a school in Queens). Unfortuantely, the teacher I am replacing has been out for over a week and no one knows where the students are at. Any advice for how to prep for the first few days? What to expect with discipline? Any good starting lesson ideas? TIA!

Re: Teachers - need your advice

Go in there firm and stern. You're the teacher now, not a sub. Find the reliable students and ask them where they are in the text book (if there is one) and what they have been doing in class and for homework. Be sure you know what the curriculum is for both grades and try to find out where you SHOULD be. Were you given a copy of their text book or the teacher's guide?

Maybe start out with a Current Events assignment. Photocopy a newspaper article. Have them map it out or outline.

Re: Teachers - need your advice

Thank you

Re: Teachers - need your advice

Miss Jones' idea about current events is good- this gives you time to talk to a teacher/chair/AP about the curriculum and I bet looking at a couple of student notebooks/portfolios will give you good info.

I'd suggest acting like it's the first day of school- you want to make sure they understand your rules and policies as soon as possible. That should be in place before you try to do any serious content. It's hard to go in there after the school year has started (I know from experience) but if you are organized and clear on what you expect it will be much easier.

Re: Teachers - need your advice

I agree with establishing the rules first. Definitely find out what they are up to & what their homework has been before you start getting into any real lessons. If you click on the link below, it gives you the core curriculum for NYS in social studies. Just scroll down until you find 7th and 8th grade. It might help give you ideas and it also gives objectives. Good luck!!

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/pub/sscore1.pdf

Re: Teachers - need your advice

Also remember that they will probably test you. They may not know what to make of you in the beginning and it doesn't mean that they will be a bad class or anything like that but it is the nature of the best in 7th and 8th grade.

You can also start with next week as several review lessons covering the major points of each of the units until you have gotten a sense as to where they are at.

Good luck. Remember, middle schoolers can be tough. One minute you are teaching elementary and the next minute high school, it all depends where their hormones are at but it is also one of the most rewarding levels and the kids will ALWAYS give you feedback as to how you are doing = good or bad

Re: Teachers - need your advice

Thank you for all of your wonderful advice!

Re: Teachers - need your advice

I just wanted to say good luck! And I always think it's a good idea to know the curriculum, then give them some sort of diagnostic "test" of their current level of knowledge so you know if you need to review anything. That usually covers the first two to three periods with them. You can lay down the law, give them this diagnostic, then go over it with them and tell them where you'll be picking up with them.

Re: Teachers - need your advice

Good luck!

Make sure to have YOUR classroom rules established from day one. I would make a poster outlining the top 3 or 4. This will make sure they know you mean business. Definately start out mean and soften as you go. FM ANYTIME!

Re: Teachers - need your advice

Thank you all again, I do appreciate any and all help! The fear is starting to set in...

Re: Teachers - need your advice

Posted by CkGm

Good luck!

Make sure to have YOUR classroom rules established from day one. I would make a poster outlining the top 3 or 4. This will make sure they know you mean business. Definately start out mean and soften as you go. FM ANYTIME!