classroom tips

25 Things I Learned in 25 Years Teaching PreK

Classroom Tips, Truths, and Random Facts…

  • Classroom Tip Number 1: How to unclog a toilet is a class you can take at Home Depot designed for new homeowners. It will come in handy during circle time.
  • How to remove live animals from the playground. Especially when animal control is busy (read more here)
  • How to fix a leaky faucet with makeshift classroom tools.
  • No matter what you do all the marker lids, glue caps, and lost buttons will end up in the same place in the twilight zone. Consequently being lost forever…
  • Classroom Tip #5: How to catch a snake, toad, and lizard for viewing purposes.
  • How to plan a child-led curriculum while covering standards (Read More here)
  • It is OK to ask for help when needed.
  • Close the door and teach, have fun, and be silly.
  • It is ok to be different than the teacher next door (Read more here)
  • We all need a mentor.
  • Don’t be afraid to change (Read more here)
  • Having a plan is key, even if you change your mind halfway through the plan (Read more here)
  • How to check your own emotional baggage at the door.
  • You will need to write it down, record a video about it, include it in the newsletter, and on every page of the website, plus tell the students if it is important information for the parents.
  • Model everything, when your student finally gets it, model it again
  • It’s OK to learn to be theatrical, and it’s OK to bring your own brand of excitement- You DO You!
  • Students are looking for a clear consistent structure. As a result your classroom management will soar.
  • If you cannot break it down into 4-year-old terms you don’t understand it quite yet.
  • Use a big vocabulary. If they can say pterodactyl they can say anything.
  • Dress the part. Professionalism, being seen as a specialist, and confidence doesn’t come from yoga pants, jeans, and a T-shirt.
  • Use descriptive words instead of negative words for things that are scary. Snakes are not nasty, they are smooth, cold-blooded reptiles. Spiders are not creepy, they are eight-legged arachnids. (Read more here)
  • Track all the data (Read More Here)
  • Classroom Tips and tricks are also taught by students. And 4-year-olds teach the best lessons.
  • Positivity breeds positivity (between you, the students, and your helpers) have an attitude of we try and try again.
  • Virtual Learning is not for the faint of heart, and you should never do a song that requires you to turn your back on the screen in a virtual world (No more Hokey Pokey while we are online 😉). (Read More here).

Classroom Tips and Lessons Are Everywhere…

No matter what stage of life you are in there is a lesson to be learned. Where you work, or what age group you teach. You can read about how my friend Ivana left the traditional classroom and the lessons she learned HERE.

Leave a comment and tell me all about a lesson you have learned through your years in education.

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Hi, I'm Tina!

 I help elementary educators create nature based, hands-on learning environments so that you can get a handle on classroom behaviors, exceed admin expectations and have a stress free environment. 

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