Walking in Mid-Year

[tootall412]

Hi! I am new to this site but could use some ideas, encouragement, etc.

I am walking in to a 4th 5th grade split inlcusion room as a sub for a week and a half before X-mas Break and then I will be the full-time teacher after Break. YAY! I just graduated last weekend and so I am VERY excited to have landed a job.

I know nothing about the students, the curriculum, the school (with the exception of what I've pulled off the internet), etc. I don't know my start date yet as I wait everyday for a phone call from the offices to come down and sign my paperwork...

Literally every night I have a panic/anxiety attack just worrying about what I'm going to walk in to. The classroom teacher has now been gone for three days and these kids have been having a sub. I was supposed to start Monday but paperwork just couldn't get pushed through quickly enough.

I will be in an inner-city setting. I don't know how many students I have, or what their diagnoses are, I don't know any background, ANYTHING. I am pretty much walking in blind.

I want to start off on the right foot. I don't want to walk in as a sub not having a clue and start the rest of my time at the school off wrong.

Any ideas? suggestions? ANYTHING!?!

[tepatria]

Congratulations on your job. I began a full time contract mid-year in a special education classroom some years ago. It was a challenge. Don't be afraid to assert yourself as the teacher, you are not an interloper. This is now your class. Change what you can in the timetable, put your personal touches in the room. The kids will accept you far more quickly. Also, be strict for the first couple of weeks then you can ease up. Show the class you won't stand for their nonsense - you know, changing names, telling you what the rules are - then you can relax a little.
Try to be friendly but not needy with your staff. Be helpful and willing to listen. Offer to do a few jobs that no one really likes - but don't be a push-over. Know when to say no and when to ask for help. Teachers are a great bunch of people and always willing to advise and help, unless they are completely done in for the day.

[Chef Dave]

Well ... the good news is that you will most likely not be responsible for average grades and completing report cards. In theory, the classroom teacher should have left lesson plans for you to follow. In reality, the classroom teacher may not have left lesson plans - so my best suggestion is to check with the team leader to see if this person has any suggestions.

Failing that - I think a substitute should always be prepared for a worst case scenario of no lesson plans. At the minimum you will need to know what the class schedule is. You will also need what the classroom rules are and what the school policy is.

If I were you, I'd go to a teacher supply store and find some interesting workbooks for language arts, math, social studies, and science. Photocopy a class set of worksheets for each subject area and place these worksheets in an accordion folder that's labeled by subject area.

Find an interesting book to read to students.

Think of some fun educational games to play.

As the old song in Fiddler on the Roof goes, "Hope for the best, expect the worst."

Best wishes,

David

[mopar]

Definitely have a plan for the first day with some getting to know you activities. If you have pictures to show the kids of you that is awesome. Spend some time getting to know the kids, what books they use, and how far they have gotten and what they know. Ask the administration for copies of texts and where the students should be. Don't feel bad asking questions, you want to come in prepared so ask!
Also, get a phone number for an experienced person at 4th and 5th grade. You can contact them to see what they are doing now and maybe even get some plans from them. Work with the other teachers.
You can ask for copies of the IEPs and 504 plans to review during the break as well. This will help you to see what accommodations have been done and what you need to do. Also speak with special education teachers to get feedback and help. Many times they know the children from earlier years and can offer guidance.

[teach1027]

coming in mid-year is hard. I did it just keep at it, get support from your team and administration. Ask lots of questions. Good luck.

[mopar]

Another quick thought: Take the time before break to get to know the students. Then use the break to set up your classroom and make plans. It is easier for students to come back after the break to change then right from the start.

[leafy seadragon]

" Another quick thought: Take the time before break to get to know the students. Then use the break to set up your classroom and make plans. It is easier for students to come back after the break to change then right from the start."

That's a great idea, Mopar. Although I've done this before and find if you keep some of the classroom routines going, the kids accept the changes better. You get less of; "Miss... did this or used that book for that or we don't..." They have already established a group feeling/ cohesion and routines that they accept and some they enjoy so too many changes can be tricky. Hopefully the previous teacher leaves a handover and their program for you to look at so you can see what they've been doing. One of the best years I've ever had was a Year 3 class that I took over mid-year. Just remember , you're the teacher but this is their territory. My daughter once had a new teacher in Year 5 mid-year who everyone hated because she kept sayin " In my classroom...." they were quite indignant because they thought it was their classroom. Good luck!

[busbus]

I'm a Johnny Come Lately on this one. However, it would have been good to have requested a walk-through of the school, and asked for an opportunity to visit one of the special education classrooms. Perhaps, during this visit, could have positioned yourself in the teachers' lounge and talk with teachers when they came in. In doing this, a feel for the school could have happened.

Once in the classroom, it would have been good to "chat" with the students. Let the students explain the classroom activities, how the groups are structured, etc.. And, of course, Getting to Know You activities are great. Allow the students to get to know you, and vice versa.

Introducing yourself to the parents is a must. A little introduction can go a long way. Let the parents know that you will welcome any support that they offer. Also, that you might be calling on them from time to time for their help on field trips, classroom projects, etc.. Make them feel that they are a part of the team.

Change should be gradual. And, as changes are made, explain why you made the change. It's no harm in keeping students informed. I think that the students would appreciate the fact that you respect them enough to keep them informed about some things. You're just informing, not asking for a debate! It's up to you to set the tone for your classroom.

As stated before, get to know your colleagues and don't be afraid to ask questions.

I hope that things are going okay for you thus far. Good luck.