10 Things New Teachers Need to Know

Teaching is an art, but even artists don't know everything at the start. So, here's a list of 10 things to help new teachers get started.

1. Start your year by being strict, firm, and consistent. You can become more lenient later.
2. Overplan so you won't have excess time at the end of the class period.
3. Avoid being dragged into negativity. It's very easy, so work hard to avoid it.
4. Eat lunch without working. Get away from your desk for those few minutes.
5. Set boundaries for your work after the workday ends. Limit how much time each night you will work after hours; otherwise, you may get overwhelmed.
6. Avoid the snack machine. Teachers are notorious for gaining weight, so be careful.
7. Post work by students - and not just "A" students. All students want to see their work displayed.
8. Keep your class rules to a minimum, 4 or 5. Too many complicate things; too few confuses students due to vagueness.
9. Use students' names. Everyone likes to hear his or her own name; it helps create a rapport.
10. Seek out veteran teachers and ask them for pointers. Then, later, return the favor by sharing new knowledge you have from your recent college experience. Accept their knowledge first, so you don't come across as a "Know-it-all".

Make Yourself Happier

So you're bored and unhappy. What can you do to change that?

It really doesn't take much to make yourself a happier. You don't need a million dollars. You don't need everything you ever wanted. You don't need someone wonderful to show up.

In fact, YOU - and only you - can make YOU happy. It is not the responsibility of anyone else. Imagine the pressure that puts on another person. Wow. Too much.

So, if you want to be a happier today, and every day, try one or two of the following. 

• Take a 10-minute walk.
• Do jumping jacks or push-ups during commercial breaks.
• Fake smile. (It may become real.)
• Eat some fresh fruit.
• Drink a glass of water.
• Turn off the computer.
• Sit outside for 10 minutes.
• Read your favorite book.
•  Sing.
• Dance.
• Plant some flowers.
• Walk the dog.
• Play with your pet.

Get Your Reluctant Reader to Read

Reluctant readers come in many ages, but especially middle and high school students. Even children, especially boys, who were prolific readers in elementary suddenly turn into reluctant, or even non-, readers in middle school. And, the less they read in middle school, the less likely they are to read in high school. Plus, when they become reluctant readers, their reading skills improve less and less.
What can you, the adult, do to help? Don't push too many classics or your own favorite books. Let them read the materials they choose. You simply need to make the reading materials available. The reading materials my range from comic books to classical literature.
Reluctant readers are more likely to read about familiar characters - those from movies, tv, video games, or even other books.
Here's a short list to get you started.

• Star Wars - There is an entire universe out there waiting to be discovered. The books include fiction and non-fiction, junior Jedi books and higher level (and thicker) novels. Fictional adventures about the original heroes, the prequel heroes and villains, and even the children of Han and Leia. Plus, non-fiction books detailing the schematics of the various ships, descriptions of the characters, and even books about the weapons used in the Star Wars universe. Currently, there are over 200 Star Wars books in print, and still growing.
• Harry Potter - A seven book series. Let your child discover how much was left out of the movies.
• Halo - This is just a trilogy based on the video game, but other games are following suit.
• Batman, Indiana Jones, Spiderman, Iron Man - they can all be found in their own books, too.

Reluctant readers tend to prefer series books. And, there is nothing wrong with series books. Many adults once read them, too.

• Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew are still good bets for your reluctant readers, too. The added bonus is that mysteries help students develop critical thinking skills.

Today's teens greatly enjoy Manga or Anime. Both are graphic novels, which are similar to comic books. And, yes, comic books are still written - even the ones you grew up loving.
Keep your reluctant readers reading in middle and high school, and they will read as adults. And, research shows that adult readers go to more plays, museums, and even sporting events as well as volunteer and become involved in society than non-readers.