Does anyone have good, sound advice for a first year teacher?

I will be teaching first grade this fall and I need tips on my classroom library, a theme I can use throughout the year, classroom management, and general information that would help my first year to go as smoothly as possibly. I know it will be a challenge for me but I am ready and I really need to begin preparing! Thanks!!Does anyone have good, sound advice for a first year teacher?
If you have knowledge of the first grade curriculum, your classroom library should contain first grade reading level books on the units/themes/topics that reinforce what you will be teaching; some age appropriate fun books to read that may be gender appropriate and picture books that help develop language as the children express themselves.





I'm not sure you want one theme to run throughout the year, except maybe it's a motivational type theme like,';We're Reaching for the Stars in Every way';. That way you will promote excelling in all areas of the curriculum.





Classroom management is critical to good teaching. If your school has not adopted a specific management plan then consider these tips.


1. Know the level of behavior you can tolerate and it still not be distracting to you or other students. When the classes convene let them take part in establishing the class rules of operation, the consequences and rewards. Children will work hard to get the rewards they want. Remember, they are only rewards if they motivate children to work for them. They will also work hard not to have consequences and lose rewards. Place the rules (not more than 5 rules) around the room so that they are visible. When you see behavior going off track just reference the rule number.';George remember rule 3.'; Be prepare to follow through with the consequences of violating the rules. If you don't, you might as well not have rules. Be firm, friendly and faithful.





Always prepare more materials than you will cover. It's better to be over prepared than under. You can easily lose a class when you are not prepared. Involve the students that appear to get off track in the lessons.'; Mack, I need you to come to the board and keep score.) This is the use of teacher proximity to help control Mack. As you teach, move around the classroom, this way you can spot emerging problem behavior. Use genuine relevant praise with students ( I like that you always raise your hand before you speak Jill.) especially when its one of the class rules.Does anyone have good, sound advice for a first year teacher?
Well first, you might want baskets or crates. Then, you can label each basket by printing a letter of the alphabet that your first graders are. like if one of them are a level D, then, you can print that out and use transparent tape and tape. Also use the free choice basket. Just print each letter of the alphabet once except for the higher, hard levels.








Classroom management, huh. Well for that you might want a sign when everyone is talking. Like maybe I don't know but I used to do this when i was in Kindergarten, have a special rhythm to clap to. Like clap a few times or clap once, wait and clap again. Or you can do this. Have a special sign for quiet. Like put up 2 fingers. You can also do maybe another special sign for going to the bathroom or have a book kids can go up to and sign their names, the date, the time they were out and back. This way you know where everyone is just in case.











Just if your class is rough, be rough. Say something like how dare you or something like that. But how harsh could they be? If I'm wrong, than you can call home or write a note home. You can ask to have a meeting with their parents or for them to have a visit to see how their kids are behaving. You can make a behavior chart. Thats when you make all the days of the week on a computer on the top and put then just fill out with a 1, 2, 3, or 4, to show how the kids are behaving. Make sure their parents see it or else it won't be any use and their parents must know how the kids behave.








Hope this helps!