Everything a New Elementary School Teacher REALLY Needs to Know

Introduction: Welcome to the Front Line

BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR

1. Making Your Classroom Work for You

Room Design and Traffic Patterns
The Teacher’s Desk
The Meeting Area
So Many Supplies and So Little Room

Backpacks and Jackets
Rain and Snow Wear
Lunch Boxes

Decorating
Classroom Library

Getting Books
Organization Manipulatives and Other Supplies

Don’t Forget a Padlock
Your Lesson Plan Book
Stay Comfortable: Clothes and Shoes
Setting Up for the Year, Not the Moment

2. Learning Your School’s Culture

Who You Need to Know: The Big Four

The Office Manager, Administrative Assistant, or School Secretary
The Custodian
Your Teacher Representative (or Union Representative)
The Principal

Finding a Mentor

Other Important People
The Art of the Stolen Idea

Day-to-Day Routines and Rules

Absence and Lateness
Sickness and Substitutes
Walking the Halls
Restroom Policies
Lunchtime
Inclement Weather Procedure
Communication
Let Them Know Before You Go
Technology and Internet
Morning Drop-Off
After-School Routines
Field Trips
Copies
Bulletin Boards

Teaching and Student Assessment

Teacher Assessment
Report Cards

Getting to Know the Parents

First Day of School Note Home
Back to School Night or Meet the Teacher Night
Parent-Teacher Conferences
PTA/PTO

Responsibilities Beyond the Classroom

Committees
Meetings, Conferences, and Professional Development
Fundraisers
Graduation
Holidays and Birthdays
School Performances, Trips, and Functions
Calendar of Events
Emergencies and Drills

A School Where You Fit—And That Fits You

3. Setting Up for a Terrific Year

The Daily Schedule
The Lesson Plan
The Morning Meeting
Morning Independent Work
Extra Worksheets
Organizing Student Work
Student Portfolios
Homework

Why Give Homework?
The Homework Folder
The Homework Notebook
The Homework Folder Bin
The Homework Record Book
Checking In Homework
Returning Homework

The Scrap Paper Bin
Recycling Paperwork  
The File Cabinet
Pencils
The New Student
IEPs and Special Education
Working with Specialists
You Don’t Need to Be a Genius to Use an Interactive Whiteboard
The Internet
Prepare, Learn, and Teach

DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR
4. Working with Students
Cubbies or Desks?
Seat Assignments

Managing School Supplies

Managing in the First Days
Managing Throughout the Year

Managing Unwanted Donations Is Raising Hands Too Old-Fashioned?
I Can’t Get Their Attention!
Transitions
Class Guidelines and Tone

Consistency
Student Input

Reward Systems
Consequences for Misbehavior
Empathize
Behavior Contract Behavior Modifications (B-Mods) Community Building
Celebrate Your Students’ Work
Teaching Whole Class, Small Groups, and One-on-One
Whole Class
Small Groups
One-on-One
Getting Your Class into the World: Tips for Field Trips
Plan for the Season
Traveling with Your Class
Did You Talk to All of Your Students Today? When the Rubber Hits the Road, Be Flexible

5. Working with Your Principal
Try to Solve the Problem on Your Own
Principals Need Your Help, Too

1. Keep Your Principal Informed
2. Share Ideas and Opinions
3. Take on Extra Tasks

What Principals Can Do for You Making Friends with Your Boss

YOUR STUDENTS’ FAMILIES
6. The Parent-Teacher Relationship

What You Want from Parents
What Parents Want from You
What Might Make Parents Unhappy with You
Methods of Communication

Email
Class Website
Phone Calls
Notes Home

When Is a Phone Call or Meeting Best?
A Mutually Beneficial Relationship

7. Communicating with Families
The First Day of School Note Home
Information About You

Attendance
Communication
Arrival and Dismissal
Vital Information
Local Walking Field Trip Permission Slip
Lunch and Snack
Homework
Physical Education
Art
Field Trips
Supplies
Wish List

The Weekly Note Home
Parents, Their Child, Social Media, and Your Classroom
Getting on the Same Page

8. When Families Come into the Classroom
Encouraging Involvement
The Classroom Door: Your Parent Visitation Policy

When Is a Good Time to Visit?
Angry Parent Visits

The Smooth Meet the Teacher Night

Preparing for the Evening
Getting Through the Evening

Sharing Bad News
Getting Yourself Through the Pile: Report Cards
Parent-Teacher Conferences

Making a Schedule That Works
Who Should Come to the Conference?
Share the Report Card Before the Meeting
What Do I Say During the Conference?

Your Volunteer Squad

Volunteering in Class
Volunteering on a Field Trip
Befriending a Parent: A Good or Bad Idea?
Working with Parents Is a Big Part of the Job

YOUR LIFE AS A TEACHER

9. Managing the Workload
Leave It at School!
One Week Ahead: Lesson Planning
Under the Magnifying Glass:
How to Have an Awesome Observation

Let Your Class Know
Display the Schedule and Lesson Plans
Have All Materials Ready Know Why You’re Doing What You’re Doing
Differentiate Be Ready with Past Work
Be Yourself
Start—and End—with a Bang
Manage Your Time

Curriculum and Behavior
Delegate: Get Help!
Keep Your Perspective

10. Balancing Your Responsibilities
The Jobs Not Included in Your Job Description
The Positive Influence: Your Exciting Life
The Well-Rested Teacher vs. the Exhausted Teacher
You’re Ready

Resources

Acknowledgments

Index

About the Author

“Good advice for novice and veteran teachers alike. Whether readers take in the guide from cover to cover or dip in as needed (which will be often), they will leave with a greater sense of confidence.” 

“In a straightforward, friendly tone, Kriegel details all the things a teacher needs to know to keep those plates spinning . . . This book is one to keep on the resource shelf for new teachers, mentor teachers, as well as experienced teachers looking for new solutions for common classroom issues.” 

“Otis Kriegel is the teacher every parent wants their child to have. For those who care about improving the quality of our schools you simply have to hope that elementary teachers and parents will buy and read this book.” 

“When I first started teaching, I didn’t even know what I didn’t know. I was taking attendance by calling out kids’ names, I didn’t use a seating chart, and I couldn’t figure out why it felt like my students were running the class. How I wish I’d had Otis Kriegel’s book back then! This is an indispensable guide for any teacher, whether they’re just starting out or looking for straight-up, sensible advice on how to improve their classroom and their practice.” 

“Challenging many of the night frights that haunt newcomers to the teaching profession, Everything a New Elementary School Teacher REALLY Needs to Know offers sweeping and practical guidance to the novice teacher. Through engaging anecdote and lucid reflection, Kriegel draws on his own professional journey in making a vital contribution to the field of teacher education.” 

“Drawing upon his own years of teaching and reflections on what it means to teach well, Kriegel offers readers a practical, personable road map for how they can become better teachers.”