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Lesson Plans


Re: I feel like a first year...help!

From: Anna N. (anna)
Date: Thu Jan 13 2000 - 18:38:52 PST

  • Next message: Anna N.: "elementary schedules"

    dear sandy,

    what i have found, in changing jobs (i know your case is a bit special),
    (in my case its from one elementary to another) is that it truly takes a
    long while to get "situated". The populations are different, the schedule,
    the physical layout of the room...space (or lack of) etc... I just started
    at a new school this year k-5, and have been experienceing the same thing.
    Busting from 7:30am to 6:30pm and still having loads to do. But, it's
    getting better and i know that next year will be better because i have
    worked out many organizational issues, from filing to room layout to supply
    readiness (i have five minutes between classes, and i have five to six
    different grades per day - all differnt projects). My systemn is getting
    there and im finding ways to save time. Its the little minutes that count!
     I have also learned to really pick up the pace, physical speed I mean. Im
    known as the speed deamon in my school. But not only do i get things done
    faster, but the exercise gives me more energy! Also, i pass out as many
    tasks to the kids as possible. They are happy to do it, they volunteer and
    get bummed out if i run out of needs! I have kids who will skip their
    lunch recess because they WANT to do it. They ask if theres anything they
    can do. We have a real nice community feeling. I think it helps.
    Sometimes i have one class not only clean up their stuff, but have them
    help set up for my next one. Because not everyone needs to be working to
    clean up, just the "chosen ones of the month". It doesnt take any more time
     tthan just cleaning up - really! ANd they all benefit from this by having
    more art time.(except that first class, but I always have the morning time
    to adequately set up for them.) This all really helps, because then i can
    do other things in those minutes like get things ready for tomorrow, write
    down in my plan book, go through the stacks of vital and garbage mail
    etc... i also have been working hard to create "project posters" and fact
    sheets. The posters have computer color printed visuals "a la the net" and
    then large type info (connected to the objectives) about the art history,
    the processes of media etc...) this helps alot with classtime needs, they
    have something to refer to besides me, that has all the answers (well nt
    ALL, they do learn experiment and create!) theese things help keep me
    focused too. And once they are made, i laminate and know they are ready to
    go for the next time i do the project. I always leave enough "room" to
    vary the project, or to mix and match "history/culture" posters with "media
    process" posters. So I dont have to spend a lot of time setting up and
    tearing down between classes..they are ready to magnet to the board.
    Im sorry this is so long, No short answers with me! Just some ideas, hope
    it helps. And as another respponder said, time to youself is just as
    important as anything else. If youre exhausted, no one feels good about
    it!
    No matter how behind you feel, pat yourself on the back and know that you
    love the kids, and art, and teaching, and youve worked hard...thats
    something to feel pretty darn good about!
    anna n. 

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