My Advice to YOU :)

I am linking up with Ms. Fultz's Corner (she's so wonderful, isn't she?!) with her "My Advice to You Linky."  I am very excited to link up, but also read the amazing advice from years and years of teaching experience (from fabulous bloggers!) I must tell you, that blogging and TPT have changed my life.  So grateful!

I have been teaching for about 3, 3 1/2 years now, but that also comes with about 9 years experience in the classroom (and I am only 27!)  I started as a teacher aide when I was in high school, so I feel I have had so many great memories with students ages 4 through 18! I am no expert of course, but here is some advice that maybe will connect with others so they can take that with them --

 

1. Lesson plan, but be flexible enough to change an activity at any given point!

         This is a definite for me since I will rarely stick to a lesson plan.  If something isn't going the way you had planned, THATS OK :] Don't beat yourself up about it, just alter it and as you develop experience, you can find ways to change it on the spot.  While you are building that flexibility, have other activities ready.. just in case!

 

2. Change up your activities! Your students deserve it!

        As an early teacher, I have definitely learned that to make your students enjoy learning and engage in any subject, you don't always need to give worksheet after worksheet.  I am a Grade 3/4 teacher, and I could easily give them a worksheet for everything, I am sure... but I don't!  Math centers are one of their favorite parts where they can demonstrate to me what they know and the skills they learned, without writing it all on paper (unless it is with a fun dry erase marker and laminated activity sheet!)

 

3. Always check out TPT and TN!! There are tons of activities!

        I cannot emphasize enough how absolutely wonderful and amazing Teachers Pay Teachers and Teacher's Notebook is.  I get activities from them all the time because guess what, they are created by teachers just like us! Do you know how many freebies and great priced items there are?? It will save you a lot of time and money.  I go on these sites daily and there is always something new... you would be crazy NOT to check it out ;] It's been so helpful and rewarding.

 

4. Organization is key!

         One of my biggest pieces of advice is to try and stay organized wherever you can.  I know it is difficult when there are kiddies running around, papers all over to be corrected, but do your best to keep them in a pile, label with post its, and if you have a free minute, get those papers corrected - it WILL make a difference later on when you are at home and can relax.  I find that labels, bins, and folders help me out a lot. 

Please let me know if you need anything... I know what it is like being a first year teacher, and I want to help you in any way I can.  It is my favorite part of blogging and doing all of this... helping YOU and my kids :]

 

Please link up with Ms. Fultz, she's wonderful!! Check out the other amazing advice from other great teachers... thanks for reading!