Recently I saw a funny post concerning teachers using the days before school preparing their rooms rather than attending meetings. I was so amused by it that I reposted it on my FB page, Chocolate 4 Teachers. It is remarkably close to comments my colleagues and I would make (or would have liked to hear) as we met back at our home away from home in the fall. We would much rather be in our rooms preparing them, but instead we were in meetings watching the same videos and hearing the same pep talk. We could even recite the words. "Don't touch anyone who is bleeding without gloves." Common sense. "We will support you." I've heard that before. "Read your teacher handbook thoroughly." When???
Why is that first impression so important? Because that first impression sets the tone for the school year. Room prep is the highest priority on every teacher's list. Every teacher has a vision that they want to bring to life. They search for the perfect WOW effect, and they need time to execute the plan. Parent's Night or Open House is usually held near the beginning of school or before school begins. The state of a classroom sends a message to parents about the teacher's enthusiasm, organization, and creativity. The students also have their own perceptions. Will the teacher be nice? Will learning be fun or boring? What things does the teacher like? What are the teacher's expectations? Walking into a colorful and interesting classroom where expectations are clearly posted helps to put the student at ease. They can visualize the answers to some of their questions. They watch the teacher interact with other students and parents. They take note of the teacher's ease and confidence as she/he moves around the classroom, their world.
Preparing your classroom also helps to reduce teacher stress. Now, the teacher can focus on lessons, activities, communications, and, most importantly, the students. Having everything organized and in it's place prior to the first day makes the rest of the year flow more smoothly. No more wasted time searching for things or trying to decide on a class theme. The first step has been taken and you are ready to take about a million more!
Follow my Pinterest page, Chocolate 4 Teachers for gif-previews of my products. And, by following my TpT store, Chocolate 4 Teachers you will receive emails every time I publish a new reading resource!
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