Teacher’s Checklist for the Second Week of School
The first week of school is always a whirlwind of activity–a new schedule, new students, new books, and new teachers (sometimes). Once the dust has settled and we’ve made it through the first few days or weeks of school, it is wise for us to evaluate and make adjustments in several areas in order to better serve our students and ourselves.
Here are a few questions we can ask ourselves to consider in what ways we can make life easier for ourselves and our students.
Does the schedule need to be adjusted? Do we need more time for math and less time for science?
Which students need more accountability to get their work done? How can we positively encourage them to do that?
Which students are confused? How can we help them adjust, especially if they are new?
How can we as teachers encourage the older students (both in age and ones who have been in your school before and understand the culture) to be models and encouragers to the new and/or younger students?
Are any students clearly in “over their heads” and possibly need tutoring or to be placed in a different grade, book, or reading level?
Am I balancing my academics with the more enjoyable subjects like art, music, read aloud time, and physical activity? While we do want our students to work hard on their academics, school shouldn’t be all sitting at desks writing all day.
Besides asking ourselves these questions the first weeks of the year, we would be wise to be continually monitoring these areas throughout the year. That way not one student will “slip through the cracks”, and everyone, including the teachers, will enjoy a positive and enjoyable school year.
