Top 10 Tips for New Teachers

It can be hard to jump into the world of teaching in your first year. It can feel like you are jumping into the deep end of a pool and having to tread water to stay afloat. I wanted to put together a list of tips for you to reflect on as you begin this journey so you can start swimming! These tips are in no particular order; they are just a collection of my thoughts for you to reflect on! 

Let's be Franco

- Be yourself! You are in your position for a reason. You were hired, have done the schooling, done the paperwork, now it is time to show how awesome you really are! 

- Relationships first. Get to know your students and let them get to you know you! This was really hard for me. I was very "by the book" when I first started teaching. I didn't want to smile for the first week etc. I have since had a great team to help me learn that the relationships you have with the students make more of a difference than the decimal addition you are teaching!

- Get to know all the staff. Be friends with the secretaries and the custodians. You will need them more than you realize! 

- Ask questions! I can't tell you how many questions I asked my mentor my first year! I asked questions about curriculum, about how a lesson should look, what to wear, what the culture of the school was like, what faculty meetings look like, how to email parents... and the list goes on! I asked everything I could think of while I had the opportunity! I still ask a ton of questions to my team and it helps me be a better teacher every day. 

- Include parents. Let them know about the good things that are happening in your classroom! The more you communicate about the good things, the easier harder conversations will be. 

- Smile. Smile your way through. If you're having fun, they're having fun. 

- Chocolate is key! Have a stash of chocolate in your desk... you're going to need it. 

- Keep growing. No one expects you to be an expert your first year. Have grace and be patient with yourself. Use the end of the day or week as a time of reflection on what you taught. How did you do? What can you do better? I still do this in my 10th year of teaching! 

- Keep work at work. Try not to take work home with you everyday. Some days, it is inevitable that you will have to take work home but make sure you are also taking a break and taking care of yourself! 

- Have a thick skin. Students are not always nice, parents are not always nice, co-workers are not always nice, that doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you! You are learning! Take what they say and reflect on whether what they are saying has any merit, if it does, think about how you can improve in the future. You got this! 

- Have a back up plan. Especially the first week of school, have something you can pull out quickly if there is down time! I use my Would you Rather Task Cards as my quick activity to pull out! I can quickly ask 1 question or 5 if an activity took less time than I thought it would. 

BONUS: If you have the opportunity or have the support from your administration, observe other teachers! I was able to take a whole day to go around the school and watch other teachers teach. That was the most meaningful professional development I could have asked for that year! 

If you want more of my tips, click here to check me out on Instagram .

Or check out some of my Back to School resources here. 

5 Ways to Get to Know Your Students in the First Week

I can't believe it is almost time to go back to school! The most important thing about the first day of school is the first impression you make and how you show you are going to care about each student through the rest of the year. Here are some of the ways that I take time to get to know the students on the first week of school. 

1. Student Name Tags

One of the first ways that I get to know my students is through their names. I know, this sounds pretty self explanatory but it takes time to learn each student's name. I start the year by letting the students create their own name tag with things that they are passionate about. 

First, students write a list of all the things that they love: sports, art, music, video games, etc.

Then, they use their passions to create the letters in their names. I usually have them practice drawing in pencil before the final name tag. The students can ask each other for help so it turns in to a little bit of a collaborative activity too! I also use the time that they are working to circulate, practice their names, and share ideas with them!

2. My Number Story Math Get to Know You Activity

This activity helps me get to know more about each student while teaching rotation procedures (I love when I can get two things done at once!). I use this as my first math lesson of the year. 

I place 8 task cards around the room with directions on how to fill in each box of the "My Number Story" activity. I then review how to rotate and transition from one space in the classroom to another. The students fill in the bunting banner and I have a nice bulletin board to start the year!

My Number Story - Let's be Franco

My Number Story - Let's be Franco

3. Hand Self Portrait 

I use this activity to review adjectives and nouns as well as collect ideas for future writing assignments! Here is how it works:

First, students trace their hands. 

Then, I give the a list of adjectives (included in the product). They write adjectives that describe them on the trace of their hand.

Next, they write all the nouns around or inside their hand that they love or are passionate about. I have the students draw little emojis to show pictures of all the things they love. This also makes a great bulletin board! Click here for the student packet!

Unique Hand Self Portrait - Let's be Franco

4. Find Someone Who: "Back to School"

This a simple but effective way for students to get to know each other and get all the excitement of summer out! Click here for this one or you can easily make one that works for your classroom! 

Find Someone Who - Let's be Franco

5. Would you Rather Card Task Cards

I use these cards anytime there is down time in the first week. I use the cards as a whole class activity. I will have the students go to the back of the room if they like the first option and head to the front if they prefer the second option. It helps get the students up and moving as a transition between activities or as a filler of time before lunch or special time. There are 200 Would you Rather questions included here. 

Would you Rather - Let's be Franco

Would you Rather - Let's be Franco

These are some of my favorite ways to get to know my students, what are yours? Let me know in the comments! 

Math Reference Bulletin Board

Let's talk math bulletin boards! As a math teacher, I wanted a bulletin board that was easy for the students to reference during math workshop. I tried to think of the references that I needed to start the year and created this bulletin board! 

Let's be Franco Math Bulletin Board

Teacher HACK: 

I simply printed out all the reference material on colored paper so I didn't waste too much ink! 

Keep Reading... FREEBIE at the end! 

Place Value:

No matter how many times students see and learn the value of each place, I feel like I still have to reteach it multiple times throughout the year. Well, now I can just point to the board and they can decipher what the value is of the number. Decimals are especially tricky in 5th grade so it helps to see how each decimal fits into the place value system. 

Let's be Franco Math Bulletin Board

Math Workshop: 

I like to put a problem solving station in my math workshop close to the bulletin board because it has so many helpful tips like key words and how to break down a word problem. 

Let's be Franco Problem Solving

Problem Solving: 

The CUBES problem solving method has been a game changer for my students. Students struggle so much to slow down and actually READ the word problem. I teach them to read each problem once for an overview and then start annotating the problem by using the CUBES problem solving method. 

I also love having the KEY WORDS handy for students to reference. It gives students a hint as to which operation is needed in a word problem using the key words. I include a smaller version of these posters to include in interactive notebooks as well. 

Let's be Franco FREE PEMDAS posters

Finally, order of operations! PEMDAS is a fun acronym for students to use when they are solving expressions with multiple operations. I tried to make it even more clear that multiplication & division are done in order from left to right as well as addition and subtraction. Check out this part of the bulletin board for FREE HERE.

Also included in the bundle:

- A Math Get to Know You activity

- Math Talk Bulletin Board

Are there any more reference materials that you would like added to the bundle? Let me know in the comments! 

Let's be Franco Classroom Tour

One of my favorite times of year is classroom set up time! All the materials are set up and organized, ready to start the year. Bulletin board are up and don't have that "I have been stapled too many times" faded look that they get as student work gets put up and down each month (well some months...). 

Here is a glimpse into my classroom! 

Let's be Franco

Let's talk bulletin boards. I love setting up bulletin boards inside the classroom that can stay up for all or most of the year. This year I decided to set up reference bulletin boards for math and science.

Engineering Bulletin Board

We follow the NGSS science standards and started off the year with an engineering design unit. As the year continues, I will be changing this bulletin board based on the 4 other units we study. 

Math Talk Posters

I want to remind my students that talking about math and understanding the why is just as important as finding the correct answer. I use this Math Talk display as a reminder!

Project Morning Menus and Posters

Project Morning Bulletin Board

Project Morning may be my favorite part about the morning. This is a time designated for the students to enjoy their passions and start the day on a positive note. The students have their choice of 11 different menus including Math, Engineering, Mindfulness, and more. The bulletin board displays the sign up sheets for the week. The students choose the menu they will be working on for the week and sign up on the bulletin board papers. If you want more information on this morning work, click here.

My Number Story

Ok, I confess, I did this activity after the school year started. This was my first math lesson of the year and the way I like to get to know my students. My Number Story tells the story of each student using numbers! They go around to different stations and write the answers on this banner. It makes a great bulletin board for Back to School Night.

Math Bulletin Board Display

My math reference bulletin board is a new addition this year! I love having all math reference information in one place. It is like a permanent anchor chart! 

Inspirational Posters

Inspirational Posters

Here are a few of my inspirational quotes that I have around the room. I just love the growth mindset reminders. I put them in a simple dollar store frame to make them stand out. 

I love walking in to my classroom and loving the decor. I feel like it immediately brightens my day. I was surrounded by flowers my whole life and I wanted to bring the floral inside with my decor this year. If you want a closer look at any of the items displayed in my classroom, click the pictures or check out my TpT store. 

What is your favorite part of your classroom? What is one thing you would change in your classroom for next year?

Whole Class Reward System

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Inching Your Way to a Class Reward

One of my students asked, "when will we have a class reward?" 

I paused... I did not have a whole class reward system in place. I had their check sheets on their desks if they didn't follow the classroom rules. I was holding individual students responsible for their behavior but did not have anything in place for the whole class. The whole class wanted to work towards earning a reward. 

I finally said, "You are right, how do you think we should track our behavior?"

I sometimes can't believe how creative students can be! They collectively came up with "inching our way to a class reward." Honestly, I could not have been more creative! The students felt responsible for the idea and I thought it was adorable! 

Here is how it works...

Earn an inch when... all students are ready for the next subject on time, when the classroom is left clean, when everyone is on task, etc.

Lose an inch when... students are off task, students do not clean the materials when they are finished using them, teacher is prevented from teaching because of off task behavior, etc. 

I can't even take credit for the inch tracker! One of my students volunteered to figure out a way to track our inches. She took a spool of thread and threaded a piece of yarn through it so it could move back and forth. The flower was for decoration because it matched my classroom :) 

When we make it the whole yard, we will get extra recess, movie day, p.j. day, extra Chromebook time, or some other creative reward that I am sure my students will help come up with!

Just for fun, I put it next to our classroom rules :)

Check out my TpT store for more of my creative classroom ideas! 

I'd love to hear from you! What are your whole class reward systems? 

Growth Mindset Class Meetings

Let's be Franco

One of my goals this year has been to incorporate more meaningful class meetings into my day. After 6 years, I have learned the importance of teaching students more than just the curriculum!

Growth Mindset has been a buzz word for a while now. My school counselor would come in and teach a lesson once a year on Growth Mindset. I loved hearing the lesson but I did not think one lesson was enough! My students heard the importance of a Growth Mindset but didn't put it to practice. 

This year was the year that all that would change! I started the year by introducing a Growth Mindset with the students and continued weekly reminders for 10 weeks! 

Everything you need to foster a growth mindset in your class is in these short class meeting lesson plans! The students will see the Growth Mindset in action, practice identifying a growth mindset, and change their own mindset!

Let's be Franco

Download Includes:

• 10 Growth Mindset lessons
• Slideshow for lessons
• Posters and worksheets related to lessons
• Videos relating to the lessons

Here is a sample of one of the lesson plans that can be found in the Growth Mindset Class Meetings!

Objective: Students will determine in a given situation whether the student has a fixed or growth mindset.  

Supplies: growth mindset slideshow, fixed or growth mindset task cards.

Procedures:

1. Start discussion with: Does anyone know what a fixed or growth mindset is?
2. Define Fixed and Growth Mindset.
1. Fixed Mindset - Believing that you only have a certain amount of talent or brain power.
2. Growth Mindset - Knowing that you can learn and have the ability to improve!
3. Have students turn and talk to tell their partner in their own words what fixed and growth mindsets are.
4. Group students into 2-4 students. Give each group a set of task cards.
5. Have the students separate the task cards into 2 piles: Fixed Mindset and Growth Mindset.

Closure: Review which cards went into each pile and have the students redefine what a fixed mindset and a growth mindset is.

Let's be Franco

What do you think? How do you foster a growth mindset in your classroom? 

A Glimpse into Let's be Franco

Let's be Franco

Going back to school is a bag full of mixed emotions... a fresh start, the loss of summertime freedom, great co-workers, a strict schedule, new students, freshly waxed floors, and a new classroom decor. 

This summer, the school painted my classroom walls blue and I love it! Well, it didn't quite match my old decor, so I changed everything, and NOW I love it :) 

Let's be Franco

This year, I can't wait to foster a growth mindset with my students! This bulletin board is waiting for their goals! 

Let's be Franco

I feel like with all my goals this year, I don't have enough bulletin boards. I am playing homeworkopoly with my students so I put my board up! If the students complete their homework for the week, they get to play on Friday! 

Let's be Franco

I upgraded my classroom jobs! I love the way the descriptions are included on the job itself. It saves the students from having to remember all the requirements of the jobs! Check out this post for a sneak peak at the jobs!

Let's be Franco 

Let's be Franco

Getting ready for math workshop with this poster! I made the "MATH" cards with Velcro on the back so I can move them around. All the groups have to do is peak at the board to know what they are supposed to do! 

Growth Mindset, S.T.E.A.M., Math Workshop, Classroom Jobs, I am ready for this year!

I can't wait to show you the boards when they are filled with student work!

Happy Teaching!

Rethink Morning Work with S.T.E.A.M.

Let's be Franco

The students walk into class, unpack their bags only to find ANOTHER white mindless worksheet on their desk. What if there was a way to rethink Morning Work to be more engaging and encourage students to delve right in to higher level thinking when they walk through the door? 

I was feeling overwhelmed by the management of morning work that my students were doing. It never failed that there were  students that rushed through the worksheet to talk to their friends, students that came in late and barely had time to even get started, and students that never finished the morning work. Then I took a step back and started to think, Is what they are doing worthwhile? Am I just giving the students worksheets to fill time before the "real" academics started?

Also, there is only so much precious time in the day. I felt like other teachers were implementing S.T.E.A.M. activities in their classes to engage students and my thought was always, How do you find the time!?

So that brings me to rethinking morning work. Here was the checklist of what I wanted...
- Give the students the choice to work together or alone.
- Engage students in high interest topics.
- Introduce topics that weren't covered in our curriculum. 
- Include topics for every learner. 
- Integrate S.T.E.A.M. in a way that did not require a lot of materials or prep. 

Let's be Franco

Here is what I came up with! 
The stations include...

Let's be Franco

• Science: Explore - In this station, you can explore the science topics that interest you! Choose something you want to learn more about using these resources.
• Technology: Apply - In this station, you can use your technology skills to animate, code, or explore Google products.
• Engineering: Build - In this station, you will use various manipulatives to design and build different structures.
• Art: Design - In this station, you can use your artistic expression to create a picture. Use these ideas to get your creativity flowing!
• Math: Solve - In this station, you can use your problem solving skills to solve puzzles!
• AND 6 MORE!

Each of the station have options that the students can choose from too!

Let's be Franco

This has changed my morning! Students are so excited to begin and create. They love sharing their projects too! For complete preview and directions click HERE.

3 Reasons to Decorate with Student Work!

Let's be Franco 

Saving student work from year to year is a great way to decorate the classroom! 

1. For Teachers - It is cheap :) Yep, I said it!  But really it an inexpensive way to showcase what goes on in the classroom while still being academic and pertinent to the class! 

2. For Parents - It is an amazing way to showcase all the quality projects you do in your classroom. Parents love seeing what their children will be doing during the year at Back to School Night. 

3. For Students - Students take ownership and pride in their work when it is on display. They also look forward to "the cool" projects that they see and get excited for the upcoming year!

Let's be Franco 

This display always makes me smile because it showcases student work from up to 3 years ago! It brings back memories :) 

This Fantasy Choice Project gives students options as to how they want to best show their understanding of the fantasy book they read. Some students choose to create a movie poster! 

Let's be Franco

Some students loved the project so much, they decided that they would create movie posters for our read aloud books too! 

What are your favorite projects to display?
Happy Teaching!

Top 3 Resources to Set Up Your Classroom

Let's be Franco

Freshly painted walls and shiny waxed floors greeted me as I stepped into school for the first time in over a month. There are not many professions where one can say they can start with a clean slate every year. New students, new expectations, and a renewed hope that this year will be better than the last. That is one of many things that makes teaching so special. 

In honor of starting a new school year, I wanted to share my must haves to start my class on the right foot. 

1. Setting up expectations in the classroom with classroom rules! My friend introduced me to Whole Brain Teaching and I have never looked back :) The rules are simple and the interaction is fun! My all time favorite rule is to "Keep Your Dear Teacher Happy."

Let's be Franco

To make my classroom management easier, I have the rules pasted on each student's desk. If a student breaks a rule, they get a check on their behavior chart. If they don't have a check for the week, they earn tickets on Friday! 

Let's be Franco

2. Kagan Desk Tags and Numbers are a must have! They have saved me from having to think about groups, who can line up first or who should get supplies from the back table. All I have to do now, is call "The ones can line up" or "A's can you teach the B's" 

Let's be Franco 

Each table gets a number...

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Then, each desk will get a number that correlates with their table...

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The grouping combinations are endless!

3. Enrichment activities for early finishers or those willing to put their heart and soul into extra credit! These aren't your standard extra credit assignments, they require thought, effort, and creative thinking! 

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Now, there are many other things to think about around the room but these 3 are always set up before the students walk in the door! 

What are your must haves for classroom set up!?

Happy Teaching!