[knb0628]

Tomorrow afternoon I am going over to my school (I am going to be a first year 3rd grade teacher next year) to look at my classroom. Is there anything I should look for or ask the principal while I am there that I may not think of?

[K-Jeanne]

* ask if you can take home the teacher manuels that you will be using. It will help you to make plans.
* measure windows (if you plan on putting curtains up
* look at the chairs and walls, you can use this information to determine a color theme in your room.
* see if there is another person on your team that would be willing to meet with you during the summer- give the principal your number and ask him/her to pass it on.

Have fun!

[johnsju]

Congrats on your new job! I was in your shoes a year ago, and I remember how excited I was to first see my classroom. Before you go, try to get a general idea in your head of how you want things to look. Then when you get there...

-I agree with the PP about measuring windows for curtains. Also measure walls in case you want to bring in bookcases, and bulletin boards for fabric/paper.

-Check to see how much cabinet/drawer/closet space you have. If you have a lot, good for you! If not, plan on bringing in some sort of storage containers or shelves.

-I also agree about teacher's manuals. Also make sure you've got your textbooks...if they're not there, ask where they can be found.

-Look to see if there's somewhere for backpacks/coats to be hung. If there's not, ask the principal what other teachers have students do with all their STUFF!

-Bring a notebook and sketch a layout if you have time. Ask your principal about how many students will be in your class. Plan out where you want your classroom library, etc. The end result will probably look different than your first sketch, but it won't hurt to get some ideas down.

-It can't hurt to ask the principal if there is any extra furniture (bookcases, shelves, etc.) laying around. I had NOTHING last year, and my principal let me have a few shelves that were just sitting in the janitors' closet.

-Bring a camera and take a few pictures. Even if you don't end up needing them to plan, it's fun to later look back at pictures of your empty room and see what you've accomplished!

Sorry for the novel! These are just a few things I can remember that I did last year...have fun tomorrow

[twopetes]

Maybe you should ask for a yearbook. You can learn the names of the faculty & staff.

Ask how much the budget is for supplies & how you could get an order together.

I would also look at storage/shelving. You may need to ask for more shelves. Most principals are very willing to help the newbie get needed items for their classrooms. It is nice to have a rug as well for minilessons & read alouds.

[ccteacher]

You may want to bring a measuring tape with you.
*measure windows if you want to make some cute curtains (you don't need to sew if you just use the iron-on seaming and mount with a tension rod)
*measure bulletin boards so that you can start shopping for borders and bulletin board sets

Also look at the storage that the room offers. You'll want to be planning for anything that you'll need to purchase so that you can keep an eye on summer sales.

Be sure to find out when the school re-opens and when it'll be clear for you to get in and start working. Some schools have pretty strict guidelines about this.

Pay attention to where the outlets and technology plug-ins are so that you can be thinking about your room arrangement. Often, things like computer placement or TV placement can't be changed. You'll want to plan around that.

Take note of how many desks, tables and other furniture there are in the room. That'll be something you'll need to know in order to plan your room.

I would also see if you can find out approximately how many students you can expect to have.

Have soooo much fun! I'll never forget how I felt walking into my first classroom. Soak up that feeling!!

[Phyllis]

. . . have been suggested. As I thought of some, I scrolled down, and there they were. That is just the way PT is!

If there is already a class list, you might get names and addresses and mail them a letter at home. This is a great public relations ideas and parents are very impressed.

It would be good if you could meet and meet with another teacher on your grade level.

Good luck with your new job.

[tia]

i wouldn't ask for money this early.

i would find out where all the supplies are. where is copy paper kept; where are the butcher paper rolls (for bulletin boards!) find out what supplies kids were told to bring next year, what you should expect to supply, what you want them to use next year and will have to purchase yourself.

i would find out how copying/laminating works (some schools teachers do it themselves, some schools teachers have a limit, some schools there is a copy/laminator nazi that you must turn stuff in to 2 weeks before you need it!)

i would make sure to meet the janitors and secretaries (maybe even take them a yummy treat!) they will be savin' your bacon all the time!


and most importantly: i would find out if you could get a key, see when you are allowed to get into the building, find out about an alarm and get the code. find out when they'll be done cleaning your room and when you can get into it to start decorating, moving furniture, etc (but be careful to do this in a non-pushy way).

good luck! have fun!

[EarthMonkey]

I would not ask about the alarm or the code to it yet. Usually at a lot of schools the only people who know the code have been there for years or only the principal, secretary, and the custodian know the code. If they hand it out to everyone the staff and the admin will tell you.

[dmamec]

I would take a digital camera and take photos of each wall. You can then blow them up to 8 x 10, make copies, and then write all over them when you are planning bull. boards, etc.

[knb0628]

Thanks for all the great advice! My classroom is pretty big, plenty of storage, a sink, 2 big windows. I only have one small bulletin board right by the white board.

[Belly]

your new classroom sounds just like my new classroom!

[Team Jordan]

LAMINATE EVERYTHING

[Team Jordan]

You might want to use fabric on the bulletin board instead of paper. It looks so clean and nice year round!