Preparing for School to Start
The beginning of the school year is usually the time to break out new the whiteboard markers and pens in anticipation of students returning from summer break. However, the beginning of this school year is marked by uncertainty about whether in-person classes will be a reality. Whether teaching will be in-person or digital, there are things that teachers can do to prepare for the beginning of the school year.
One of the most helpful things that a teacher can do in preparation for the upcoming school year is to clean out old lesson plans. There are very few lesson plans with no redeeming qualities, so it may be helpful to pick bits and pieces from different plans and implement them in other places. August is a great time to adapt the best lesson plans so that they fit in a remote setting. The activities and assignments that worked well in an in-person setting may not translate to a digital format. For instance, it may be challenging to perform a science experiment for a class remotely. However, recording the science experiment before
hand is a good way to control the environment and ensure that the experiment will go well. There are numerous ways to adapt lesson plans for a remote class, and doing so requires both creativity and hard work. Don’t be nervous to reach out to fellow teachers and even students and ask if they have any ideas about making online teaching more productive.
Many students thrive on receiving feedback on their work, and oftentimes teachers are no different. Whether in-person or online, it is helpful for teachers to utilize some form of feedback system so that students can voice their opinions and suggestions. Communication is one of the most critical parts of teaching and providing students with a way to communicate with teachers directly is a positive thing. It will also boost the confidence of students knowing that their opinions are heard and considered.
One of the most basic ways to get the year off to a good start is to set goals. Setting goals is an integral part of being both a student and a teacher. Encourage students to set goals for themselves and to think about where they would like to be in a week, two weeks, and a month, and then model that behavior for them by setting some goals of your own. It is helpful to make goals realistic, specific, and time-oriented. Show students how a series of smaller goals can pave the way for accomplishing even bigger goals.
Regardless of the format of this school year, there are things that every teacher can do to prepare for the upcoming academic year, including going through old lesson plans, implementing a feedback system, and setting goals. The beginning of a new school year is often a stressful and exciting time for both students and teachers alike, and being prepared will set the tone for the rest of the year.
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