Summer Sun and Teacher Tasks

I have had time to relax and breathe this summer. Once I signed my teacher contract and had my position in the bag, I felt overwhelmed. I have so many things to do before school starts! Preparing materials and boards for my classroom I have began to put together, but there is so much more to do.

I am currently reading The Cafe Book, Falling in Love With Close Reading, and I ordered a WBT text. I have many other books I would like to get through as well. Taking on PD this summer I anticipated. So many great books and not enough time! What is your go to teacher text?

Lesson planning seems daunting. How do you do it before school starts? How far out do you plan before the first day of school?  I feel that being a first year teacher, it is imperative for me to continue with my detailed, scripted plans.  What I have started for my Grammar/Literature classes:

My Seventh grade Grammar classes will learn:

• Word Work
• Writer's Notebook/menu choices http://www.corbettharrison.com
• Dead Verb mini lesson
• Twitter writing activity
• Visualization mini lesson
• Shirley Method Vocabulary (required textbook)

My Eighth grade Literature classes will learn:

•  3 novel units: The Outsiders, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Flipped.
• Writer's Notebook/menu choices
• Visualization mini lesson
• Literary Elements 
• Poetry unit 
• Short stories
• Theme

This is not a comprehensive list of everything I am teaching this year. Just a quick guide on some things I know that I will be planning soon. 

The lesson plan template I like is on Teachers Pay Teachers by: Susan Carmody. It is a free download at this time. 

Planning Template

Teacher(s):		Couse/Content:
Grade Level(s):		Duration:

 VISION

Standard(s):	Big Idea(s):	Essential Question(s):
DO KNOW	Learning Objective(s):
Evaluation Criteria:	Assessment Description:

RESOURCES

Resource Title:	Complexity Notes:	Additional Notes:

METHODS

Focus Lesson – “I Do”

Guided Instruction – “We Do It Together”

Collaborative – “You Do It Together”

Independent Practice – “You Do It”

 
I will add another post the end of July. I am open to suggestions and helpful feedback. I am new at this blogging and any advice is appreciated! I hope that maybe once I get really going and figure this out that my blogs can help other new teachers and student teachers. Thank you! 

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