Things to Consider when… Setting up your Classroom

Floor Space

  • Decide on what type of student interaction you will have in your class.
  • Consider having rows facing the front for the first week of school.
  • When rearranging, think of student line of sight to the document camera, whiteboards, etc.
  • Consider how easily you will be able to maneuver amongst desks.
  • Consider distractions such as windows, hallways, etc. when placing desks.
  • Decide how you want your class to flow (placement of extra copies, trays for homework, reference books, extra pencils, paper, etc.).
  • Avoid placing books and other desirable items near the door to avoid theft.

Wall Space

  • Begin the year with neat, new billboard areas, which are free from clutter.
  • Leave space for unit and daily agendas.
  • Place calendars, clocks, and reference posters where students can see them.
  • Classroom conduct expectations should be clearly stated and visible.
  • Consider thematic décor to match the areas of study, a “culture corner,” a message board, hall of fame, and space for student work.
  • Be sure that your decorations are representative of all of your students.
  • Avoid clutter.

Teacher Space

  • Your desk should not be a barrier from students.
  • You should be able to monitor all students from your desk.
  • Be sure not to personalize your desk space too much in order to make it more inviting.
  • Avoid placing the desk by the door in order to avoid theft.
  • Keep a locked area for student contact information; confidential student information such as IEPs; your personal items; confiscated student electronics; etc.
  • Keep school forms, detention slips, late slips, and phone numbers for the office, attendance, and nurse handy.

Student Work Areas

  • Keep in mind the type of activities you will be doing, and if these require a separate space.
  • Do you want cushy chairs and lamps, open space, table groupings?

Things to Consider for…

The First Day of School

How to Dress

  • You will be treated according to how you dress.
  • Remember you represent the school.
  • How you dress will influence student learning.
  • Four things to dress for:
  • Respect
  • Credibility
  • Acceptance
  • Authority

Introducing Yourself

  • Create a positive image.
  • Speak in short, clear sentences.
  • Remember that having a good reputation creates high expectations.
  • Send a letter home on the first day.
  • Introduce yourself
  • Give your contact information
  • Include a supply list

Ice Breakers

  • Four Corners
  • Survival Exercise
  • True or False
  • Would You?
  • Human Bingo
  • Change Your Shoes, Change Your Life
  • Introductions (My Friend)

Greeting the Students

  • Seven things the students want to know on the first day:
  • Am I in the right room?
  • Greet students at the door with a smile & a handshake.
  • Check their schedule so they know they are in the right room.
  • Post your name, room number, & classes you teach on the door.
  • Where do I sit?
  • Verbally tell or have directions stating where they should sit.
  • If you are using a seating chart, indicate how to read it.
  • Rules in the class?
  • Tell them your expectations.
  • Handout your syllabus.
  • How will I be graded?
  • Syllabus
  • What will I be doing this year?
  • Syllabus
  • Who is the teacher as a person?
  • Introduce yourself.
  • Will the teacher treat me as a human?
  • Observe how your students enter the room to learn more about them.
  • Have an assignment that the students can begin the moment they arrive.

Things to do Before the

First Day of School

Room Set-Up

Clean tables, desks, teacher desk, counters

Make sure you have enough desks/chairs

Arrange Desks

Create seating charts

Sort/purge/straighten cupboards and filing cabinets

Put up posters/decorate

Post classroom rules/expectations

Ensure your media cart is in place, working, and that you can operate it

Create and label an inbox/outbox for homework

Setup the front board (weekly calendar, assignments, goals, etc)

Post important numbers next the phone

Materials

Take inventory of your supplies and label with your name/room number

Ensure that you have the appropriate number of textbooks

Label all materials that will be checked out (books) with an identification number and have a system in place for keeping track of these items

Have substitute plans and class rosters ready and clearly marked

Print current class list for emergency clipboard

Print all necessary school forms and keep accessible (hall passes/tardy slips/detention slips)

Print all handouts for the first week

Planning

Set manageable goals for year

Plan first week’s lessons

Date lesson plan book and mark all important dates in planner (staff/department meetings, training)

Review expectations/policies with your department (late work policy, grading scale)

Write and print syllabus

Write and print introduction letter

Write and print student interest survey

Setup grade book (if necessary)

Notify a counselor if you want a TA

Begin planning for parent night (gather materials)

Other

Buy small supplies: candy, colored pencils, markers

Setup email distribution lists (grade level, department, parents, etc)