Resources for New Teachers:

Teaching Tips Grade K to 12 - Dr. Kathie Nunley- 8024 - permalink

Find over a hundred great and practical tips for classroom management, inexpensive materials, handling classroom challenges, and more in this list compiled from teachers all over the country.If you are a new teacher-- or just looking for a new way to solve an old problem-- this site has treasures.

Survival Guide for New Teachers Grade K to 12 - US Dept of Ed- 7596 - permalink

This comprehensive guide provides ideas and positive support for all aspects of your fledgling teaching career: from parents to college loan debt. College faculty may also want to share it with prospective teachers and student teachers.

Middle School Do's and Don'ts Grade 5 to 9 - TeachersFirst- 7594 - permalink

These pointers are taken from the notebook of a 7th and 8th grade teacher, and are reprinted here with her permission.

New Teacher/Classroom Management Grade 4 to 12 - NCTE - 7593 - permalink

This question-and-response journal from a new English teacher with suggestions from from veterans could apply in just about any teaching situation. Use it as a source of ideas for yourself or a way to broach the subject of classroom management in a non-threatening way with a new teacher you are mentoring.

Notes to My Daughter, The New English Teacher Grade 6 to 12 - Robert Anderson- 7591 - permalink

Take a moment to enjoy these tips from a veteran English teacher to his newbie-teacher daughter. Although the letter dates back to 1985, much of it holds true today.

Baptism by Fire: 100 Essential Tips and Resources for Student Teachers Grade K to 12 - Christina Laun- 9536 - permalink

Are you getting ready for your first year in the classroom or student teaching? Are you a substitute? Feeling a bit overwhelmed? This simple and useful site provides 100 tips for new teachers and student teachers to use in (and out) of the classroom. Topics include flexibility, planning, working with parents, rules, blogs for student teachers, links for lesson plans and classroom activities, classroom management, resume tips, and much more!

In the Classroom: Use this site (and its many resources) to prepare for your first experiences teaching in the classroom. Check out the links for resume and interview tips before you start looking for a job. There are lists of professional organizations - great for student teachers (and new teachers) to join. Visit the forums and find support for your new life "in the trenches." Don't forget to mark it as one of your TeachersFirst favorites using your free membership here. TeachersFirst will always have it handy for you -- along with many other resources!

Lesson Plan: Volcano Grade 4 to 6 - TeachersFirst- 9531 - permalink

This lesson on volcanoes and paragraph writing is part of a collection of lesson plans featuring multi-sensory approaches to help all learners, including special needs students who benefit from multiple experiences with concepts. The plans focuses on consistency, repetitiveness, tactile and visual reinforcement—great for children with special needs. The original lesson plans were written by award-winning teacher Nora Coyle of Colorado, a KOAA-TV "Teachers First" Award winner. The staff of TeachersFirst has incorporated technology options, tips, and templates appropriate for younger students into the lesson plan to add yet another way for your students to experience and interact with new concepts.

Many of these ideas and templates can be adapted for use with almost any subject or concepts, to differentiate for different learning styles. The lesson includes national standards.

In the Classroom: Experienced and new teachers alike will find this example helpful in designing multi-sensory, technology-infused lessons.

Lesson Plan: Egg-Laying Animals Grade 2 to 6 - TeachersFirst- 9530 - permalink

This lesson on egg-laying animals and research is part of a collection of lesson plans featuring multi-sensory approaches to help all learners, including special needs students who benefit from multiple experiences with concepts. The plans focuses on consistency, repetitiveness, tactile and visual reinforcement—great for children with special needs. The original lesson plans were written by award-winning teacher Nora Coyle of Colorado, a KOAA-TV "Teachers First" Award winner. The staff of TeachersFirst has incorporated technology options, tips, and templates appropriate for younger students into the lesson plan to add yet another way for your students to experience and interact with new concepts.

Many of these ideas and templates can be adapted for use with almost any subject or concepts, to differentiate for different learning styles. The lesson includes national standards.

In the Classroom: Experienced and new teachers alike will find this example helpful in designing multi-sensory, technology-infused lessons.

Lesson Plan: Egg Hatching Into Sequencing Grade 1 to 3 - TeachersFirst- 9529 - permalink

This lesson on egg hatching and sequencing is part of a collection of lesson plans featuring multi-sensory approaches to help all learners, including special needs students who benefit from multiple experiences with concepts. The plans focuses on consistency, repetitiveness, tactile and visual reinforcement—great for children with special needs. The original lesson plans were written by award-winning teacher Nora Coyle of Colorado, a KOAA-TV "Teachers First" Award winner. The staff of TeachersFirst has incorporated technology options, tips, and templates appropriate for younger students into the lesson plan to add yet another way for your students to experience and interact with new concepts.

Many of these ideas and templates can be adapted for use with almost any subject or concepts, to differentiate for different learning styles. The lesson includes national standards.

In the Classroom: Experienced and new teachers alike will find this example helpful in designing multi-sensory, technology-infused lessons.

Lesson Plan: Tactile Parts of Speech Grade 1 to 3 - TeachersFirst- 9528 - permalink

This lesson on parts of speech (noun, adjective) is part of a collection of lesson plans featuring multi-sensory approaches to help all learners, including special needs students who benefit from multiple experiences with concepts. The plans focuses on consistency, repetitiveness, tactile and visual reinforcement—great for children with special needs. The original lesson plans were written by award-winning teacher Nora Coyle of Colorado, a KOAA-TV "Teachers First" Award winner. The staff of TeachersFirst has incorporated technology options, tips, and templates appropriate for younger students into the lesson plan to add yet another way for your students to experience and interact with new concepts.

Many of these ideas and templates can be adapted for use with almost any subject or concepts, to differentiate for different learning styles. The lesson includes national standards.

In the Classroom: Experienced and new teachers alike will find this example helpful in designing multi-sensory, technology-infused lessons.

Lesson Plan: Nouns and Adjectives Are Not Just Words Grade K to 3 - TeachersFirst- 9527 - permalink

This lesson on parts of speech (noun, adjective) is part of a collection of lesson plans featuring multi-sensory approaches to help all learners, including special needs students who benefit from multiple experiences with concepts. The plans focuses on consistency, repetitiveness, tactile and visual reinforcement—great for children with special needs. The original lesson plans were written by award-winning teacher Nora Coyle of Colorado, a KOAA-TV "Teachers First" Award winner. The staff of TeachersFirst has incorporated technology options, tips, and templates appropriate for younger students into the lesson plan to add yet another way for your students to experience and interact with new concepts.

Many of these ideas and templates can be adapted for use with almost any subject or concepts, to differentiate for different learning styles. The lesson includes national standards.

In the Classroom: Experienced and new teachers alike will find this example helpful in designing multi-sensory, technology-infused lessons.

Lesson Plan: Dinosaur Math Grade K to 1 - TeachersFirst- 9525 - permalink

This lesson on simple addition is part of a collection of lesson plans featuring multi-sensory approaches to help all learners, including special needs students who benefit from multiple experiences with concepts. The plans focuses on consistency, repetitiveness, tactile and visual reinforcement—great for children with special needs. The original lesson plans were written by award-winning teacher Nora Coyle of Colorado, a KOAA-TV "Teachers First" Award winner. The staff of TeachersFirst has incorporated technology options, tips, and templates appropriate for younger students into the lesson plan to add yet another way for your students to experience and interact with new concepts.

Many of these ideas and templates can be adapted for use with almost any subject or concepts, to differentiate for different learning styles. The lesson includes national standards.

In the Classroom: Experienced and new teachers alike will find this example helpful in designing multi-sensory, technology-infused lessons.

Lesson Plan: Silly Sentences Grade K to 0 - TeachersFirst- 9524 - permalink

This lesson on letter-sound relationships is part of a collection of lesson plans featuring multi-sensory approaches to help all learners, including special needs students who benefit from multiple experiences with concepts. The plans focuses on consistency, repetitiveness, tactile and visual reinforcement—great for children with special needs. The original lesson plans were written by award-winning teacher Nora Coyle of Colorado, a KOAA-TV "Teachers First" Award winner. The staff of TeachersFirst has incorporated technology options, tips, and templates appropriate for younger students into the lesson plan to add yet another way for your students to experience and interact with new concepts.

Many of these ideas and templates can be adapted for use with almost any subject or concepts, to differentiate for different learning styles. The lesson includes national standards.

In the Classroom: Experienced and new teachers alike will find this example helpful in designing multi-sensory, technology-infused lessons.

Lesson Plan: Billy Goats Gruff Grade K to 0 - TeachersFirst- 9523 - permalink

This lesson for early literacy skills and creating a book is part of a collection of lesson plans featuring multi-sensory approaches to help all learners, including special needs students who benefit from multiple experiences with concepts. The plans focuses on consistency, repetitiveness, tactile and visual reinforcement—great for children with special needs. The original lesson plans were written by award-winning teacher Nora Coyle of Colorado, a KOAA-TV "Teachers First" Award winner. The staff of TeachersFirst has incorporated technology options, tips, and templates appropriate for younger students into the lesson plan to add yet another way for your students to experience and interact with new concepts.

Many of these ideas and templates can be adapted for use with almost any subject or concepts, to differentiate for different learning styles. The lesson includes national standards.

In the Classroom: Experienced and new teachers alike will find this example helpful in designing multi-sensory, technology-infused lessons.

Lessons for All Grade K to 6 - TeachersFirst- 9522 - permalink

This collection of lesson plans features multi-sensory approaches to help all learners, including special needs students who benefit from multiple experiences with concepts. All plans focus on consistency, repetitiveness, tactile and visual reinforcement—great for children with special needs. The original lesson plans were written by award-winning teacher Nora Coyle of Colorado, a KOAA-TV "Teachers First" Award winner.

Lesson content includes letter-sound relationships, parts of speech, paragraph writing, sequencing, earth science, animals, egg-laying animals, volcanoes, addition, and more. The staff of TeachersFirst has incorporated technology options, tips, and templates appropriate for younger students into the lesson plans to add yet another way for your students to experience and interact with new concepts.

Many of these ideas and templates can be adapted for use with almost any subjects and concepts, to differentiate for different learning styles. All lessons include national standards. Experienced and new teachers alike will find these examples helpful in designing multi-sensory, technology-infused lessons.

In the Classroom: If your classroom includes special needs learners or simply students who need a multi-sensory approach in order to master new concepts, try these lessons or use them as prototypes as you plan for other curriculum content. If you mentor new teachers or student teachers, share these examples for infusing technology into lessons and for differentiating lessons.

Teaching Tips Grade 1 to 12 - Mr. Shurley- 8835 - permalink

These teaching tips work well in an all ESL class, or a regular class with only a few ESL students. The tips provide ideas to help with preparing materials, making assessments, and modifying materials and expectations so that the ESL students can succeed. The file format is PDF.

In the Classroom: Keep these practical tips handy in your favorites as a reminder when you are struggling to meet the needs of ESL/ELL students in your regular class. If you serve as a teaching mentor, you may also want to share them with less-experienced teachers charged to your "care." Many of the same tips apply to learning support students, as well.

New Teacher Hotline Podcasts: Tech Toolbox Grade K to 12 - Glen Moulton, Mike Kelley, Candy Shively- 8655 - permalink

New teachers, pre-service teacher candidates, student teachers, substitutes, or any teacher seeking ideas and practical advice for using technology as a teaching tool will enjoy the humor and practicality of these podcasts by an experienced teacher and an experienced teacher/supervisor/administrator as they feature TeachersFirst Director of K-12 Initiatives Candy Shively and her "Tech Toolbox" segments. The Tech Toolbox has ideas for all teacher levels of technology expertise, including ideas for overcoming barriers to technology in your school and practical classroom management solutions for technology-based lessons.

Those who join the podcast site (free) can also submit questions that will be addressed in the Tech Toolbox podcasts every other month. Visit the site to listen on your computer or subscribe to the entire podcast series through iTunes syndication.

In the Classroom: Listen during your drive to school as you ponder how to make technology work for you and for your students as a tool for teaching and learning. Better yet, get together with fellow teachers for munchies and a beverage as you listen --and maybe talk about the ideas and how they might fit your situation. Beat the frustration of trying to find and plan for technology integrated lessons as you relax together with Mike, Glen, and Candy Shively. If you make it a ritual with your friends, you may find the collaboration really helpful in making teaching the career you had hoped it would be. You choose the location to listen, and the podcasts will help with the rest.

Learning Style Inventory Grade 5 to 12 - Brett Bixler- 8587 - permalink

This visually "plain vanilla" learning style inventory, created by an instructional designer at Penn State, is simple enough to use in a middle or high school classroom without explaining elaborate personality traits and indexes to preteens and young adults. (There is one unfortunate mention of smoking, since the inventory was designed for college students. You may want to point it out and make an active disclaimer. about not promoting smoking!). This free, simplified inventory is short enough to complete and discuss during one class period. NOTE: the results of the inventory come up in a small pop-up window. Make sure your pop-up blocker is not preventing you from seeing them. The Google and Yahoo toolbars block pop-ups! In Internet Explorer, you can temporarily turn off the blocker by RIGHT-clicking on the narrow yellow bar that appears at the top of the web page window.

In the Classroom: Regular ed and learning support teachers from middle school up will want to share this resource with students and parents to help students find the most effective ways to study and retain knowledge. Include the link on your teacher web page (with a note about the unfortunate mention of smoking!) or plan a start-of-the year in-class time to help students get off on the right foot. Even teachers of gifted (whose students are notorious for inconsistent study methods because they have not "needed" to study) will find this resource helpful when students "hit the wall" in challenging courses. As part of a study skills unit, have students self-assess and create a single database of the class members' learning styles and subject strengths so they can find peer-tutors during study halls.

Icebreakers, Games, and Fun Group Activities Grade K to 12 - icebreakers.ws- 8552 - permalink

Start the first day of school or a new marking period with a getting-to-know you activity from this great, searchable collection. The activities are designed for all ages, so some will not work well with very young ones (such as writing things on slips of paper). The site is easy to navigate and sorts ideas by group size and activity level for easy retrieval. You are also invited to submit your own ideas. Since the site is designed for general use, not for schools, some ideas may be impractical in a classroom setting but could be easily adapted.

In the Classroom: New or veteran teachers who want students get to know each other as they enter a new school (starting middle school, for example), want to observe them so YOU get to know them, or need to build better team skills with a challenging class or club, will find ideas to try. Mark this one as a Favorite so you can find it again, since "first day" activities tend to get lost in the flurry ---and in the fading memory-- during the year.

New Teacher Hotline Podcasts: Phone Conferences Grade K to 12 - Glen Moulton and Mike Kelley- 8306 - permalink

Nothing is more frightening than the first time you have to call a parent. New teachers, pre-service teacher candidates, student teachers, substitutes, or any teacher seeking advice on phone conferences will enjoy the humor and practicality of these podcasts by an experienced teacher and an experienced teacher/supervisor/administrator. Those who join the site (free) can also submit questions that will be addressed in the twice-monthly podcasts spanning many new-teacher topics. Visit the site to listen on your computer or subscribe to the entire podcast series through iTunes syndication.

In the Classroom: Listen to this podcast before you make that first parent call-- or afterward to find out what you could do to make the next oe better! Get together with other newbie teachers for munchies and a beverage as you listen --and maybe talk about the ideas and your related experiences. Make it a ritual to beat the isolation and frustration of being a new teacher as you relax together twice monthly with Mike, Glen, and some in-person peers for the entire podcast series. You will find the collaboration really helpful in making teaching the career you had hoped it would be. You choose the location to listen, and the podcasts will help with the rest.

New Teacher Hotline Podcasts: Sponsoring School Activities Grade K to 12 - Glen Moulton and Mike Kelley- 8305 - permalink

New teachers, pre-service teacher candidates, student teachers, substitutes, or any teacher seeking advice on sponsoring school activities will enjoy the humor and practicality of these podcasts by an experienced teacher and an experienced teacher/supervisor/administrator. Those who join the site (free) can also submit questions that will be addressed in the twice-monthly podcasts spanning many new-teacher topics. Visit the site to listen on your computer or subscribe to the entire podcast series through iTunes syndication.

In the Classroom: Listen to this podcast if you are considering sponsoring a school event or have been asked to take over responsibility for an existing one. Get together with other newbie teachers for munchies and a beverage as you listen --and maybe talk about the ideas and how they might fit your situation. Make it a ritual to beat the isolation and frustration of being a new teacher as you relax together twice monthly with Mike, Glen, and some in-person peers for the entire podcast series. You may find the collaboration really helpful in making teaching the career you had hoped it would be. You choose the location to listen, and the podcasts will help with the rest.

New Teacher Hotline Podcasts: Fire/Emergency Drills Grade K to 12 - Glen Moulton and Mike Kelley- 8304 - permalink

New teachers, pre-service teacher candidates, student teachers, substitutes, or any teacher seeking strategies and advice on handling fire and emergency drills will enjoy the humor and practicality of these podcasts by an experienced teacher and an experienced teacher/supervisor/administrator. Those who join the site (free) can also submit questions that will be addressed in the twice-monthly podcasts across many new-teacher topics. Visit the site to listen on your computer or subscribe to the entire podcast series through iTunes syndication.

In the Classroom: Listen before any planned drills or just because it is a good idea to have mentally prepared for these "alarming" times. If you make it a ritual to listen to the entire podcast series with your new-teacher friends, you may find the collaboration with Glen, Mike, and your buddies really helpful in making teaching the career you had hoped it would be. You choose the location to listen, and the podcasts will help with the rest.

New Teacher Hotline Podcasts: Classroom Management Grade K to 12 - Glen Moulton and Mike Kelley- 8303 - permalink

New teachers, pre-service teacher candidates, student teachers, substitutes, or any teacher seeking pro-active classroom management strategies and advice will enjoy the humor and practicality of these podcasts by an experienced teacher and an experienced teacher/supervisor/administrator. Those who join the site (free) can also submit questions that will be addressed in the twice-monthly podcasts across many new-teacher topics. Visit the site to listen on your computer or subscribe to the entire podcast series through iTunes syndication.

In the Classroom: Listen during your drive to school to set a positive tone for the day. Better yet, get together with other newbie teachers for munchies and a beverage as you listen --and maybe talk about the ideas and how they might fit your situation. Beat the isolation and frustration of being a new teacher as you relax together with Mike, Glen, and some in-person peers. If you make it a ritual to listen to the entire podcast series with your friends, you may find the collaboration with Glen, Mike, and your buddies really helpful in making teaching the career you had hoped it would be. You choose the location to listen, and the podcasts will help with the rest.

New Teacher Hotline Podcasts: Lesson Planning Grade K to 12 - Glen Moulton and Mike Kelley- 8302 - permalink

New teachers, pre-service teacher candidates, student teachers, substitutes, or any teacher seeking lesson planning strategies and advice will enjoy the humor and practicality of these podcasts by an experienced teacher and an experienced teacher/supervisor/administrator. Those who join the site (free) can also submit questions that will be addressed in the twice-monthly podcasts across many new teacher topics. Visit the site to listen on your computer or subscribe to the entire podcast series through iTunes syndication.

In the Classroom: Listen during your drive to school as you wonder how to make your lesson plans work. Better yet, get together with other newbie teachers for munchies and a beverage as you listen --and maybe talk about the ideas and how they might fit your situation. Beat the isolation and frustration of being a new teacher as you relax together with Mike, Glen, and some in-person peers. If you make it a ritual with your friends, you may find the collaboration with Glen, Mike, and your buddies really helpful in making teaching the career you had hoped it would be. You choose the location to listen, and the podcasts will help with the rest.

New Teacher Hotline Podcasts: Mistakes New Taachers Make Grade K to 12 - Glen Moulton and Mike Kelley- 8301 - permalink

New teachers, pre-service teacher candidates, student teachers, substitutes, or any teacher seeking problem-solving ideas and proactive strategies to avoid common teaching mistakes will enjoy the humor and practicality of these podcasts by an experienced teacher and an experienced teacher/supervisor/administrator. Those who join the site (free) can also submit questions that will be addressed in the twice-monthly podcasts across many new teacher topics. Visit the site to listen on your computer or subscribe to the entire podcast series through iTunes syndication.

In the Classroom: Listen during your drive to school to head off common mistakes or find out how to fix them. Better yet, get together with other newbie teachers for munchies and a beverage as you listen --and maybe talk about common mistakes and your experiences with them. Beat the isolation and frustration of being a new teacher as you relax together with Mike, Glen, and some in-person peers. If you make it a ritual with your friends to listen to this twice-monthly series on a wide range of topics, you may find the collaboration with Glen, Mike, and your buddies really helpful in making teaching the career you had hoped it would be. You choose the location to listen, and the podcasts will help with the rest.

Kelly's Kindergarten Web Page Grade K to 1 - Kelly Nyman- 8124 - permalink

If there was a "Generosity Award," Kelly would certainly be a front-runner. This site is a wealth of information for Kindergarten or first grade teachers, and it's all free. You will find printable games, phonics activities, classroom photos, music power points, classroom tips, Open Court worksheets, songs, and much more. She invites you to print her worksheets, copyright free.

In the Classroom: If you are a Kindergarten or first grade teacher, you will want to mark this site as a Favorite. Plan to spend a large amount of time exploring this site and links. If you need suggestions for setting up a Kindergarten classroom, her pictures lead the way. A beginning teacher will especially benefit from her classroom management ideas. Don't forget to see what she found at the Dollar Store. You may want to email her with a quick 'thank you' after you visit this site.

Substitute Survival: Tools You Can Use Grade K to 12 - Education World- 8092 - permalink

This website provides substitutes with practical advice on surviving in a classroom. Most of the tips, websites and lesson ideas are more suitable for elementary or middle school, but many of the tips are practical in any classroom, any grade and any subject matter. New teachers and those headed into student teaching would be wise to read it, as well.

In the Classroom: Substitutes - don't go into the trenches empty handed, print out this useful survival guide (or make it a TeachersFirst Favorite so you can find it anytime) and be prepared for the unexpected!

Welcome - A Packet for Substitute Teachers Grade K to 12 - Robert Jackson- 8091 - permalink

Every substitute must check out this interactive, all-inclusive, helpful, and creative website. This website includes numerous resources for substitute teachers including "Whiteboard Topics," "Bag of Tricks," "Give a Test," "Something Puzzling," and much, much more! Before you enter a classroom - enter this website!

In the Classroom: This website provides easy, ready-to-go activities! There are activities for every grade level (from kindergarten to high school). This is a priceless resource for any substitute teacher.

Substitute Teaching - Tricks of the Trade Grade K to 12 - Mr. Sturgeon- 7598 - permalink

While written with a sense of humor, the tips and practical ideas of this site are certain to keep you afloat as a sub (pardon the pun). If you have never subbed or are about to student teach, this is a must-read! In the rankings of respect, substitutes and student teachers rank closer to the bottom as the grade level goes up, so preparedness is vital to your success. God luck...and keep a sense of humor!

What to Expect Your First Year of Teaching Grade K to 12 - US Dept of Ed- 7597 - permalink

Although originally created in 1998, this guide is still relevant (and kept online by the Dept of Ed because it is!). The biggest changes since the article was written have been in NCLB and other regulations. The advice is still sound, however, especially the checklist of tips.

First Days of Middle School Grade 5 to 9 - Middleweb- 7595 - permalink

Middleweb provides an outstanding list of ideas and links to help the new middle school teacher, many of which apply for teachers at all levels. Ideas include classroom management, communicating with parents, advice from administrators, and first day ideas. This is a must for student teachers, new teachers, and substitutes!

A Homepage for New (And Not So New) Math Teachers Grade 1 to 12 - Terri Husted- 7590 - permalink

A simple page created by a 20+ veteran math teacher, this resource offers ideas to math teachers new and old with a clear passion and love of mathematics. It is updated regularly (as of 2007) and provides practical ideas backed by sound pedagogy. You will enjoy the positive tone and vast collection of ideas, even though many are links to other sources. There are a few places where she recommends purchase of a book or two, but the site, and its ideas, are free.