Following on from part 1 of this blog series for new teachers, part 2 focuses on how to create a successful learning environment.
As a teacher in a secondary school, the tips I've written here are most applicable to new teachers working in secondary schools (high schools); however, there's plenty that can also be applied in primary school (elementary) classrooms.
So, you finally have your own room, but now what?
- Make your classroom a nice place to be. It's worth going in and decorating before term starts, if possible. If you don't have any work to put up, you can just use backing paper to prepare displays and put some posters up. Try to bring in nice things, like books, and decorate your desk. Don't be afraid to show your personality! All of this will make a huge difference because children will know it's your room straight away.
- Keep displays neat and tidy.
- Don't let children write on desks if you can help it, no matter how old or dilapidated your room may be. This will show that you're in control and care about the learning environment.
- Fancy desk arrangements, like double horseshoes, may seem nice in theory, but rarely work in practice. Chances are your classroom won't be big enough and KS3 children (11–14 year olds) in particular won't be able to concentrate with so many gurning faces looking back at them. For 11–14 year olds, sticking to rows or even single desks will keep life simple. If you're brave or mainly teach KS4 (14–16 year olds) and sixth form students (16–18 year olds), you can try primary school-type grouped tables. This will be good for group work, but the downside is that students will inevitably mess around more. If in doubt, try rows first.
- Always ask students to make name signs and prop them up on their desks for the first few lessons. This is a very worthwhile 'waste' of 10 minutes and will give you time to relax at the start of each first session. Plus, it'll give you chance to put to use those coloured pencils that you should have sourced (see part 1)! Ask students to show you their personality through how they write their name; it can help you to remember their names if they all decorate their signs differently. Even sixth formers like doing this.
- Sticking to the seating plan is the best, simplest way to remember names. When you ask a question, use the plan to address the responding student personally. There's no quick way to learn names, especially in a class of 30 identically-dressed 11 year olds. You'll hear some staff saying things like 'I always test myself to make sure I know all of my students' names by the end of the first week.' Ignore them. There will be some names you still don't know in March and this is normal. Your school should have a system with children's contact details on and it will most likely have a photo. You can use this when you write reports.
Read NQTs, new and trainee teachers, part 1: Finding your feet.
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