After over 20 years of teaching middle school students, I’ve begun to compile some of the tips that I’ve offered to the many student teachers who I have had the privilege of mentoring. Here are a few. You can find more on my site: SuccessInTheClassroom.com.

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Tip for New Teachers #1: State Tests

Don’t let the state tests stress you out. At the beginning of the year, ask a veteran teacher to tell you what topics are most likely going to be on the test. Not all the State Standards are on the test. This will allow you to plan your lessons better. For example,?if you have a great two-week lesson on Lewis and Clark,? you may want to modify that, since only ONE question in the entire test asks about Lewis and Clark – at least that’s the lesson I learned. Which is sad, because the Lewis and Clark expedition is so amazing, and the kids love learning about it. (I?spend a lot of time on it anyway. Shhhh.)

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Tip for New Teachers #2: Sarcasm

Avoid getting into a “Burn” contest with your students. A “burn” contest is a conversation where with the use of sarcasm, you “burn” each other with funny insults. You have to remember that they are kids, and although they may be good at dishing it out, they may not be able to take it,and eventually, because they don’t want to lose this contest in front of their peers, they’ll resort to using insults that may cross the line. I like having fun with my students. They are funny and we get along well, but I always have to keep that line between teacher and student visible.?If you do get into one of these sarcasm contests, let them win early. My response is, “Good one.” Then I walk away.

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Tip for New Teachers #3: Testing

Always have some kind of quiet activity ready for those students who finish their tests early. Today,?I gave students an option to either read a book or work on a wordsearch that I created. Without this, students will start talking? and making noise while other students are still testing.?They need something specific to do. Wordsearches are easy and you can create them online for free.? Go to http://www.puzzlemaker.com/ and create your own puzzle. I like to use interesting topics and words to give the students?a little more motivation to choose the puzzle. Today’s topic was, “What You Find in Students’ Lockers”. I know that reading is more “educational,” but the students who are most prone to finish early and talk are those students who probably won’t choose to read a book. That is why I always have this other option.

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Tip for New Teachers #4: Assignment Titles

Try and give cute/cool names to your assignments. Instead of just calling them “video notes,” I called them “IDK” notes. Even if the assignment is one of those boring find-the-answer-in-the-book activities, you give a cool name like, “History Treasure Hunt,” the students will view it as more than just boring seat work – well most students will. Kids will perceive school work how you present it. If you say, “Here’s a worksheet to review state standards,” the kids will respond with groans. However, if you tell them it’s a “TITE” sheet, they’re going to say, “a what sheet?” Then you can tell them, “It’s a ‘This-Is-To-Easy sheet.’” You’ll?get a different reaction?from your students based on how you present the activity. Trust me. It works.

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Tip for New Teachers #5: Countdown

Use the countdown method. Any time you give an activity, give the students a time limit, and as the clock ticks away, keep reminding them of the time remaining. Students who are wasting?time will normally get back on task when reminded of the shortening time. Today, I gave the students one minute to trade topics. I yelled out, “1 minute. Go!” At the 45 second point, I let them know also. At the 30 and 15 second stage also. Finally, at 10 seconds, I started counting down. By the time I got to “one,” all the students were in their chairs. Students need time limits. They like time limits. They love time limits.

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Teaching can be a fun and very rewarding profession, or it could be a tiring and stressful job. It all depends on you. You are the variable in the classroom. Hope these tips help. Find more at SuccessInTheClassroom.com.

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