Hello! I'm new here. I didn't see a thread for this question already, so please forgive me if this question is redundant! I just accepted a position teaching elementary level (either 3rd, 4th, or 5th - we don't know quite yet) and this will be my first year with my own classroom. I've held a position as a Teacher of the Deaf/HH for the last three years. So I feel like a bit of a newb! What are your favorite resources? I've got Harry Wong resources, and the books I've gathered during my undergrad and years of teaching d/hh and I've got a few websites I've bookmarked over the years, but I would love to know what your favorite resources are for everything from books to websites and more. Where can I go to find the latest and greatest trends in teaching math, science and literature? Things change constantly and it's been a bit of time since I did my internship in the regular classroom. What would you say are the resources you use most frequently? Any suggestions for books I can be reading this summer to get myself ready for the upcoming year? The school with which I have accepted a position is outstanding and seeking STEM designation. They're very high-performing and I would love to come in and really do it all justice and be a great asset. Thank you SO much for any advice or guidance you can offer! I absolutely LOVE learning from more experienced teachers in the field!
Welcome to teaching the upper elementary grades- I teach science to grades 3 to 6 They're wonderful grades to be teaching in! What subjects will you be teaching in your classroom? I really enjoy spending my time at TeachersPayTeachers (look up the website)- as it gives me a better idea of what teachers are using in their own classroom for activities. There are a ton of free resources there and I highly recommend that you check out what you will have to teach and see what you can supplement through that site. (Do you have access to curriculum maps from your school? It would be helpful to have the summer to look over those.) Harry Wong's resources are okay- I have a book of his, but I found that his tactics don't always work in the classroom. I found the Responsive Classroom to be very helpful in designing my classroom policies and management: https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/ . As for STEM, I would check out the resources that the National Science Teachers Association has: http://www.nsta.org/search.aspx?cx=000595497003495966486:w02godv4_pe&cof=FORID:11&q=STEM They have many excellent books and resources to help you better understand how to incorporate STEM into your classroom at any grade level.
I tried to quote you, BioAngel, but the links were causing the forum page to freak out. This is great information! Thank you so much! The district does have a curriculum map. I'll find out where it is! As far as subjects I'll be teaching, I believe it will be math, language arts, science, and social studies. I'll check out responsive classroom! Thanks again!
A few of my personal favorite websites are ABCya and RoomRecess, we also use Aleks and Acuity a lot (I think Acuity might be just for Indiana teachers tho).
This school sounds familiar. Is it in fulton county? Yes, read up on responsive classroom. Another good read would be Love & Logic.
Hi, Pencil Monkey! Nope, not in Fulton - Cobb County, just north! But there are lots of great schools in Atlanta. I checked into RC and it seems great so far. And I LOVE Love and Logic, but it's been years, so thanks for reminding me of that one!
I believe that Georgia has adopted the Common Core State Standards, is that correct? You might start by perusing those - they are available free online. I second the use of TPT - it's a great place to view (many free and many for purchase) the wares of creative teachers from across the country. Don't forget this place! AtoZ has kept me sane and on track for almost 6 years now!
Yes, we've adopted the CCS and I've been looking them over. And from my browsing around on here, I discovered TPT and I'm totally addicted already! What an absolutely incredible resource!!
Congrats on your new job!!! Such an exciting time for you. Honestly, I find message boards such as this to be the best resource. Ask your specific questions and get tons of feedback and ideas from experienced teachers. Can't beat that. Have fun getting ready for the fall.
TeachersPayTeachers is my favourite resource too as it keep us updated with the latest idea of what teachers are using in their own classroom for activities. eBoard, Spelling city and SmartBoard are some other resource that aid me in teaching.
Greg Tang has a great math website. Some of my favorite education writers: Debbie Miller, Regie Routman, Katie Wood Ray, Stephanie Harvey and Cris Tovani. I am not a big fan of Harry Wong.
Congrats! I will be teaching 3rd grade ELA for the first time this year, so I feel like a newb too. I LOVE this forum, it's probably been my favorite resource. I just think of things that I want more information about and use the search tool at the top. I also started reading The Daily 5 which is a way to manage your literacy block. I have a lot of favorite books that relate more to the primary grades (I taught two years of 2nd grade and half a year of 1st) so I'm also looking for more intermediate resources. I also LOVE TeachersPayTeachers.com
In no particular order: BrainPopJr (paid subscription, I think mine is $8 mo....kids LOVE it) Teachers Pay Teachers Discovery Education (my district pays) Pinterest (for ideas)
