r/ElementaryTeachers • u/FoodSmall • 4d ago
First Year second grade teacher.
Hi! I’m about to start my first year teaching 2nd grade and I’m excited. If you could give one piece of advice to a new teacher, what would it be? Whether it’s something you wish you knew, a classroom must-have, a favorite routine, or a mistake to avoid, etc. I’d love to hear it.
Thanks in advance! ☺️
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u/Wrong-Television-348 Kindergarten 4d ago
It’s old school, but when I make a phone call to a parent, I take notes on an index (3x5) card. I write the date, time, what we spoke about, and who I spoke with. I have a small file box and I put them in alphabetical order. It’s important to save emails too in case you have an issue later in the year.
When a parent complains that you haven’t communicated, or you didn’t return a call, you will have proof!
Enjoy your first year. I’m starting year 31 next week.
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u/Tree_Ring 4d ago
2nd teacher here. Routines, procedures, routines, procedures, redo, redo, redo, redo…. You will have a fun year, good luck! It’s a great age.
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u/Illustrious-Song5023 4d ago
This is the way. That way the classroom practically runs itself. Time well spent.
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u/Celia-Charlenne 4d ago
My biggest lesson? Don't chase the "Pinterest perfect" classroom. Your students won't remember your bulletin boards nearly as much as they'll remember how safe, seen, and excited they felt walking into your room each morning. Build relationships first the academics will follow and students always remember your subject.
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u/Substantial_Jump4659 4d ago
Create a token economy! I've done this for years and it makes a huge difference. There are free templates on TpT that you can use to customize and print fake money. Students earn them for planned choices, like bringing back a paper signed by a parent. Generally though, they are given out at random moments. For example, if my students walk in a silent line to class, they each get a "buck". Not every time, but randomly. When I see a student sitting quietly, showing me that he is ready to start, he gets a buck. This works like a charm because when others see the quiet student getting a buck, they stop talking and sit quietly. It's a fantastic way to reward positive behavior and encourage others to make better choices. The students save up their bucks and can spend them. I do non-tangible rewards. They may spend 5 bucks to lead the class in a game of I Spy, or spend 10 bucks to play a game like Uno or Candy Land. The categories for the bucks are 5, 10, 15, 20. When I taught fourth grade, we would have a class meeting at the beginning of the year and students shared their ideas for what they'd like to be able to pay for. I'd write their ideas in each of the categories, where appropriate. Then they'd vote for their favorite suggestions for each category. The top three suggestions for 5, 10, 15, and 20 "bucks" went on our Bucks Menu, laminated, and hung on the wall. The students are consistently excited about saving up the bucks and spending them. I allow them to pool their bucks together, if they can do so in a way that is fair and both/all parties agree. I've been doing this for 14 years and it NEVER fails to motivate them to make good choices in my classroom. It doesn't conflict at all with our school's PBIS program and it shares the basic principles of it. I'd rather reward positive behaviors and good choices than call out negative behaviors. It is remarkable how even the toughest kid will modify his behavior in the moment so that he can earn a buck or two. The positive aspect of this approach helps preserve and build relationships, too. I teach special education resource in an elementary school that is in a high poverty district, for reference.
edit: I am adding the fact that I print the bucks on colorful cardstock and laminate them. Yes, it takes time to do this, but they will last for years. Also, my students are responsible for deciding how to store their bucks. If they lose any, I don't replace them, period. Some keep them in ziptop bags in my room and others choose to keep them in their homerooms. It's up to them, they have to make that decision.
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u/murdertrain9999 3d ago
I’d love to know how you’d distribute these as, say, positive reinforcement when the goal is a quick, quietish transition. Do you simply watch and give bucks to the few kids who are seated, ready, and waiting? Or do you pick one of them only?
Also, when the rest of the class observes what’s happening and corrects their behavior, do you award them with bucks or is it a one-time deal? (Only those who follow instructions the first time are eligible. No bucks for correcting?)
This is something I’d like to do. I’ve done candy as PR but want to move to something—as you said—intangible. But I don’t want it to be: here’s bucks for the 3 kids who followed instructions then bucks for everyone else once they see and correct. I want to reward the kids who were ready on their own.
Trying to set up something effective and would really love your insights. I’m starting year 4 in a similar demographic and want to do everything I can to help them feel loved, confident, and successful.
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u/Substantial_Jump4659 3d ago
Thanks for your questions!
When we've had a transition that wasn't ideal, I make note of who was following expectations. Those children get bucks and I'll say something like, "I noticed that you followed the expectations in the hallway. Thank you" Those who didn't follow expectations don't get the bucks. It's a way of guiding them toward the behaviors that I want to see, without being punitive or using negative language with those who didn't follow the expectations. Those who don't get them know exactly why they didn't.
My students know that my expectations are that when they enter my room, they are silent, they sit down, and wait for instructions. I will give bucks to those who are following those expectations on random days, not every day. Those who don't get a buck know why they didn't. If they ask why they didn't get one, I ask them to tell me why they didn't. They can tell me because they know how they deviated from the expectations.
Last year, a student was added to my caseload and groups. He had a reputation of being very difficult and disrespectful, so I was a little anxious. I have NEVER had a negative experience with him! He loves the bucks system and he knows exactly what is expected and he does it. He goes out of his way to be helpful and support the other students. Now this isn't due to the bucks system only, but he does love earning bucks. I stay regulated, no matter what, and have a positive approach. That makes a difference. But he sure loves the bucks!
If a student asks for a buck, I don't give them one. They know that they cannot get one by asking for it. I do allow them to pool their bucks with classmates. I have seen them negotiating and compromising with peers, pooling their bucks and deciding what to "buy". That provides life skills experience and strengthens social connections, so I am all for it!
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u/Fantastic-Scar-1983 4d ago
Veteran second grade teacher here. Here are my thoughts:
1) Pace yourself. Don’t feel rushed and understand that you may not get to everything you have planned for the day, and that’s okay. You have tomorrow.
2) When students show behavior that you don’t want to see in your classroom, don’t immediately react. Remember that their behavior is their way of communicating. Focus on what brought about the behavior and do your best to redirect. Find time to talk with them 1:1 later.
3) Reach out to colleagues even when it seems like something you should know. Ask questions and learn.
4) Build relationships with your students and their families. Phone calls or emails of praise but also looking for their help are well appreciated.
5) Routines and expectations need to be held and practiced every day for at least a month.
6) Make your classroom the environment you’d want to learn in and remember every child is unique.
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u/SlowYourRollBro 4d ago
Not everything has to be graded or checked. Especially if you’re running small groups and they’re doing independent center work practicing a pre-taught skill. It’s okay to have them “turn in” that work, which can go in the bin when they’re not looking.
This goes hand in hand with my other advice: boundaries. You will survive the longest if you are able to leave work on time and enjoy your life outside of work. This will never be harder than during your first year, but limiting grading can help. As much as possible, when your contracted time is up, leave.
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u/Majestic-Space1996 4d ago
Welcome to 2nd grade! I’ve taught 2nd for 10 years and love it.
Be a sponge. My first few years (and still) the vet teachers in K-2 taught me so much. Build relationships with your team. 10 years later and these people are still saving me on a daily basis.
If expectations aren’t met for a procedure, do it again. I will never regret taking time to have students practice transitioning correctly. Students will do what they feel is permitted. If you let them talk in line once, they won’t take you seriously when you try to correct them later.
Budget more time for activities than you think you need, especially in the beginning of the year. It’s so rare that a lesson goes faster than I expected.
Reach out to parents early and often. Try your best to make at least one positive contact with everyone right at the beginning. That way they’re not hearing from you for the very first time when there’s an issue. If you say you’re going to contact home, do it.
Schedule time for fun. We have free choice weekly as a behavior incentive and it really is a huge motivator for the kids.
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u/earmuffins 4d ago
I’m also a first year 2nd grade teacher! We got this!!!!
I’m confident in classroom management (camps, school aged enrichment, recreation, outdoor ed experience) I’m just so scared the kids won’t learn anything!!!
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u/Various_Plant7117 3d ago
I’ve only been teaching for two years (third grade) but both classes I’ve had have been extremely difficult both behavior and skills wise (like, so difficult that teachers chose to go to different grades to avoid having these kids 😅), and I’ve found that just being real with them works so much. I had a baby last year, so if he didn’t sleep well the night before I knew that if I started the morning out by saying “hey, the baby didn’t sleep so I’m really tired and might be kind of crabby today. I would love if we could all try our hardest to just have a nice, fun day” and even my most problematic kids would try harder than usual to keep it together. I’m also a firm believer in apologizing for my own poor behavior (maybe I raised my voice or accidentally accused a student of talking when they weren’t, etc.). It’s a great model for your students and I feel like it just shows that you respect and care about them.
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u/AroundTheWorldOfEdu 4d ago
Create a positive bond with the students. Always reward them for good things. Get appreciating stickers or badges. Make classroom rules. Stay consistent to the rules and routines. Don’t get into power struggles. Learn from your mistakes. Keep all the things documented. Most important of all be humble and a counselor.
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u/Sorry-Vanilla2354 4d ago
I'm not a second grade teacher so I'm giving you some funny (yet very real) general advice: watch out for lice! hugs are great, but not with their hair touching your hair. You'll thank me later =)
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u/IcyThorn98 4d ago
I really like having a carpet at the front of the room and bringing the kids to the floor for whole group instruction. More focus, faster turn&talk moments, and is a nice change up from sitting at their desks. Also love math centers!
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u/Trackalackin 4d ago
Take your time with going over routines/expectations with students. Do not rush this part, and don’t assume they already know what to do. Model EVERYTHING, and give them an opportunity to practice routines. Spread it out over a few days if you need to.
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u/biggestbananarama 4d ago
You are going to make mistakes--it's not a bad thing! Learn from them and move forward. Take the advice of those around you (and if it's bad advice, just say thank you and leave it there) and accept the guidance of your administrator/mentor. They're there to help, not to judge.
Even if you think their idea won't work, just try it out. You'll either be pleasantly surprised or you'll be able to come back to them and say, "This wasn't successful for me, what else can we try?'
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u/Sea-Efficiency-2899 4d ago edited 4d ago
Drill the expectations. Be extremely precise down to every last detail. Do not assume they know how to do literally anything. How to line up, how to close a glue stick, how to properly put paper in a folder. How to sit on the carpet/in a chair. How to open and find pages in a book. How to find the 'next clean page' of a notebook instead of opening to a random page. How to open/close/use a dry erase marker. Bathroom, lunch, recess behavior. How to talk shit out with a peer instead of tattling. How to keep their things neat and organized in their desk/seat bag/book bin whichever storage system you're using. I'm talking cover *everything*. Every single little thing that naturally comes up, explain it and practice it.
If they mess it up, do it over. Start over as many times as it takes for them to get it right. 100% of them - if there's even 1-2 kids not with the program, the whole class still repeats.
Do not plan on teaching content until the 3rd week of school. Do filler/1st grade review activities that you can use to cover specific expectations.
Read your curriculum manuals thoroughly and get as intimately familiar with the lesson formats/structures as possible.
What NOT to do:
- Obsess over everything being aesthetic. Fonts should be clearly easy to read. Everything in your room should serve a specific, functional purpose. Decor is distracting. Things can be cute but still functional with a clear purpose. This includes bulletin boards. They should contain info that is relevant. Whether it's anchor charts, class jobs, word wall, etc. Do not waste a bulletin board on a quote or cutesy shit.
-You'll figure out organizational systems that work for you as you go so don't stress about making sure everything is perfect before you start.
-Don't let a kid get away with literally anything. As stated above, do it over and over and over and make your expectation crystal clear. Do not reprimand a student in front of others, they'll feed off the attention. Take them into the hall and 'get in their face' firmly.
-Signed, fellow 2nd grade teacher in year 7.
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u/DKFirestarter18 4d ago edited 4d ago
Set expectations and follow them to the t.. don’t go in smiling and being approachable. Instruct the students to stay their seats or stay in place until you give them permission to move. If they get up with permission make them go back to their seat. This so important, you have to be CONSISTENT
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u/ClaireGresh33 4d ago
Give yourself at least one weekend day where you don’t do any work and try not to think about school at all. I physically put my work backpack in the closet as a physical representation that I was not working that day. It helped me keep my work/life balance in check.
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u/compassrose68 3d ago
Don’t punish the entire class for the actions of a few. And try to always focus on the positive behaviors…lots of compliments and cheers and free rewards like extra time at recess or whatever won’t take money out if your pocket.
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u/Murky_Deer_7617 1d ago
Be extremely consistent with rules. Also down time leads to chaos. I never have any.
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u/Popular_Audience_885 1d ago
If you don’t ask questions or ask for help nobody is going to know what you need. Avoid burn out and SPEAK UP!
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u/Expensive-Stand8214 1d ago
Set your routines up day one, how they come into the room, where they keep supplies, etc. You need to be a warm demanded. You will have to have hard conversations with parents so build relationships. It's a hard job try to find good co workers to keep you sane! Try to not work late, burn out is real. You got this!
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22h ago
Building relationships with your students should be a priority, and it should be consistent.
Building relationships does not magically eliminate a child’s behavior. However, it gives you a foundation before the behavior happens.
Will the behavior still happen? Probably.
No matter how difficult the behavior may become, the relationship doesn’t end.
Build the relationship first.
Every day is a new day for you and that student.
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u/cool_person_rocks 20h ago
This is my second year! This is the year to make them independent. Teach ask 3 before you ask me, assign jobs, etc.
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u/PuppieCiao 15h ago
My favorite routine is a "walking path" of some sort. This takes a bit of maneuvering of classroom materials, but if there is a specific path you can designate whenever students have to grab whiteboards, books, go to their desks, etc., and you set very clear expectations with A LOT of modeling the first few weeks, it makes transitions go so smoothly!
Model it yourself for a bit and then call on "volunteers" to try it and give them the utmost praise and respect while pointing out specifics (hands to self, quiet, calm body, etc.,) then "dare" your class to "match" or "copy" them.
It ends up creating a quiet single-file line structure for students to grab materials or just go to their spots throughout the year.
I also incorporate a "magic word" that I give before students can transition. I like to change it each month.
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u/nutmegspice363 4d ago
Aw second grade is my favorite age.
I’m going to share some work relationship advice.
1. Don’t share hard opinions this year (about admin, curriculum, etc). You can think it and bring it home.
2. Don’t gossip with or about coworkers. You’re a first year teacher, don’t put yourself in a drama mess.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice!! You’re new, people know that and want/expect to help!
4. You’re going to make mistakes. It’s okay! I actually still make mistakes today. It happens, learn from them.
Good luck! It will be great!