In few weeks, the grind of daily school routine will begin again. Arguably, new school academic session can be scary and exciting at the same time. Some kids feel scary or a little scared on the first day of school because of all the new things, new class, new teachers, new friends and perhaps a new school. Luckily, these ‘new’ worries only stick around for a while.
However, a new academic session can be an exciting time for students looking forward to meeting their old friends again. For teachers, it may be getting back to work and for parents, it may be the level of noise that will be reduced at home and it also the anxiety of paying their children’s school fees.
To be back into a new school year’s routine effortlessly after two months requires preparation. And to help you achieve all your dreams this new session, we have compiled tips for parents and teachers on how to manage this period effectively and also enjoy it.
Tips for Teachers
- Set Up the Classroom: Classroom furniture should be arranged according to your teaching style – desks can be arranged into traditional rows, cooperative clusters, or a horseshoe shape. Once you have decided that, place your desk strategically where you can see everyone clearly. Dedicate the last available space to a class library filled with a variety of books and possibly a comfy chair or small couch.
- Have a Good Lesson Plan: Successful teacher start a new academic session with a good lesson plan. Design activities to help your students tap into what they know and make connections with what they are going to learn about. Also look for points in your lesson where students are likely to struggle, make mistakes or develop misconceptions.
- Review First Day and Week Lesson Plans: The first day of the school year is usually filled with jitters and excitement. Make sure you make your students feel safe and comfortable in their new classroom quickly. In addition to that, review your first week’s lesson plans and be sure to create extras just in case. The first few days will let you gauge your classroom’s pace and overall makeup—you may get swamped or finish early, and it is best to be prepared for those unexpected moments in either case.
- Get Necessary Material Ready: Have a checklist of what you will need to make your class interesting for the new school year. This includes books, paper pencils, pen, whiteboard, projector, educational wallpapers, etc.
- Use the Internet: If you are subject teacher, do thorough research on the internet on new things that are developing within your field. Books and other resource materials used to teach during the last academic session need to be reviewed. Hence, it is necessary to constantly update your knowledge about the subject being taught.
- Be Creative: You can start off your new class with some sort of activity that only introduces the lesson, but also gets the students interested. This can be a question, a story, a presentation, anything that will make the students hungry for more information.
NB: Most teachers kick off introducing themselves and talking about all the things they will be doing in a new session. Some teachers give students a chance to say something about themselves to the rest of the class.
You might already know a lot of kids in your new day to make a new friend, so try to say hello to kids you know new ones that you do not. Make the first move.
Tips for Parents
- Go Over the Routine: If the summer routine has been relaxed, now is the time to remind your children how a typical school day goes. If need be, start to enforce a reasonable bedtime now because they might find it hard waking up early after a long summer holiday.
- Talk About Goal Setting: Goal setting can be a powerful tool to get your children ready for school new school year. Talk to your children about the things that they would like to accomplish or change this academic year.
- Get In the Right Mindset: Talk positively about this new school session and the good thing to come. You can remind your children of the best parts of the school and also that you are always available to help them manage their challenges.