This Message Center is organized and operated by David Vitale Modified from The Leadership and Learning Center, Englewood, CO.

As the year begins, each teacher is filled with anticipation. Will this be a great year? Will I make a difference? Will I get through the curriculum? Will I be prepared? Will I be able to meet the needs of all my students? Effective planning is the key to a successful school year. 

1. Plan With the End in Mind
Effective teaching begins with knowing the curriculum.  Become familiar with end of year goals; this familiarity will help keep you focused on results.   Familiarize yourself with state and district assessments so that you are prepared and, in turn, your students will be prepared. As Harry Wong might say, "Failing to plan is planning to fail."

2. Establish Expectations Early
It is easy to picture that first day when the kids will enter your classroom quickly and quietly and sit right down in their assigned seats eager to learn. Sadly, this scenario is not always the norm. Indeed, those who have taught middle school will attest that a kindergarten student is more likely to sit down ready to learn than your average middle school student. Students begin testing the boundaries on that very first day.

Consider collaborating with your class on an expectation rubric. If you want students to organize their belongings, you must show them how. Expectations must be communicated, modeled, and yes, practiced and practiced until it becomes routine. Once an expectation has become a routine, you never have to talk about it again. It is easier to spend time up front establishing the routines than stopping instruction to teach expected behavior. Remember to use a "common language" when talking about expectations. To some, "work with your neighbor" means, "turn and goof off!"

3. Establish Effective Conditions for Learning
There has been much research done on conditions that promote learning. Keep this research in mind as you set up your class (the C&I Department has books and resources available for you to review and keep). Consider the desk configuration, cooperative work areas, supplies availability (such as textbooks), and posting your standards and daily objectives. All of these things can lead to a more effective and smooth running classroom.

4. Organize Yourself for Instruction
Establish organization tools before the students step into the class. In addition to the seating chart, familiarize yourself with Skyward's organization and communication tools; Write your first parent communication letter which outlines your expectations, homework, curriculum etc;  and spend time up front creating a place for student work so that you don't get buried in paperwork the first few weeks of school.

5. Be Flexible
Last, but by no means least, make sure to be flexible. Even the best plans need to have some flexibility built in. Don't become frustrated by a chaotic start of the year – this is often normal! Stay calm, take a deep breath and start each day fresh.

posted August 20, 2009 « back to Message Center home

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