Adventures in First Grade

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Confession of a First Grade Teacher

I have a confession to make.  I have debated about sharing it, and I won't share all of the details, but I'm going to give you an abbreviated version.

I had a very difficult school year.  I have taught for more than ten years, and this was hands down the hardest.  In fact, I rarely blogged because I became so demoralized and frustrated that I thought I didn't have anything worth sharing. 

This summer, I'm starting over.  I am sure that you have noticed that my recent posts (now that I'm out of school) have had an overwhelming classroom management theme.  I have found that everything that I had learned in ten plus years did not help me in my challenges of this school year:  mainly behavior.  Let's just say that I had a combination of very strong personalities that did not mesh well.  At all.  Not even a little.  Because of this, I burned out earlier then usual.

When I was growing up, my cousins and I loved to play "let's pretend....".  So, let's pretend that I am a first year teacher.  I'm looking toward my first year of teaching.  What types of resources and professional reads should I get to prepare myself for my "first" year?

I just bought this book:


I have to say, it has already really made me think.  It has made me consider what behavior theory that I most fall in line with, and what I believe in. 

A few days ago, I posted about the book, Not in My Classroom.  This was a good book, but most of the information was geared toward high school teachers. 

My question to you wonderful, smart teachers (and I REALLY need your answers for the sake of my sanity next year), what is your go to professional read?  What book has helped you the most as a teacher in your classroom?  Remember, I am a "first" year teacher!

Happy Sunday!

3 comments:

  1. Of course....Harry Wong.....the first days of school :)

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  2. "How to Handle the Hard to Handle Student" by Maryln Appelbaum is a great read. It zones in on specific behavior problems and gives a lot of great strategies to try. I used some of them in my extremely challenging classroom last year and it definitely helped.
    Here is a website that gives a great summary of the book- http://www.atiseminars.org/en/cms/198/

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  3. I usually do a quick review of Harry Wong...the First Days of School.

    I think we all have some years that can be trying! Hope you have a restful summer and a wonderful class waiting for you next year.

    imgoingfirst@gmail.com

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