Welcome to Kindergarten: Preparing As A New Kindergarten Teacher

Welcome to Kindergarten: Preparing As A New Kindergarten Teacher: Starting your journey as a kindergarten teacher is incredibly exciting and a bit overwhelming. With so much to prepare and think about, it’s essential to have a solid plan in place to ensure a smooth transition into your new role.

A New Kindergarten Teacher

You are going to LOVE kindergarten. It is the best! I often hear teachers asking what they can do NOW to get prepared or to get ahead for the upcoming year. Here are some crucial steps you can take now to set yourself up for success in the classroom.

1. Get a Mentor Teacher

One of the best things you can do as a new kindergarten teacher is find a mentor teacher, especially a teacher on your grade level. This experienced educator can provide invaluable guidance, answer your questions, and offer support throughout your first year. Veteran teachers can help you navigate the school culture, understand administrative expectations, and share practical classroom management tips. Strong relationships with mentors and colleagues can make your first year of teaching much smoother. You will need someone to support you as a new teacher throughout the school weeks. Moreover, a nonjudgmental and kind mentor is preferred. 

2. Get Eyes on a Curriculum Map

A curriculum map is essential for organizing your teaching plans. This map should include the order in which you will teach letters, skills, reading structures, and assessments. Having a clear roadmap helps ensure that you cover all necessary content systematically and effectively. Most schools and/or curriculums will have one. Ask for that early so you can have a clear vision of what you are teaching.

One of my best tips is to do this BEFORE you decorate a room or decide what needs to be displayed. You may find your curriculum provides a sound wall or needs a specific alphabet. Knowing this ahead of time is a great way to save time and not have to redo decor. This is important information. 

Here’s an example to guide you with a curriculum map as a new kindergarten teachers:

– Letter Order: Start with simple, frequently used letters and gradually introduce more complex ones.
– Skills: Focus on foundational skills such as phonemic awareness, basic math, and social skills.
– Reading Structure: Implement a balanced literacy approach, incorporating read-alouds, guided reading, and independent reading.
– Assessments: Plan regular assessments to monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly.

You can see an example of my scope and sequence here.

3. Plan Your Daily Schedule

Develop a long-term daily schedule. While it doesn’t have to be perfect for the first week, having a general structure will help you and your kindergarten students get into a routine. Consider including time for morning meetings, literacy blocks, math, play, and special activities. A consistent daily routine is crucial for young learners to feel secure and understand expectations. Your mentor teacher should be able to guide you through your first experience with creating a schedule and routine that works. 

This step seems easy, but you may have to ask the admin or a veteran teacher for this information. I know our schedule can fluctuate from year to year and comes from the school’s master schedule because it involves the support staff and everyone’s lunch times, special times, and recess times. You may get a blank slate to create a schedule, or you may be given a schedule you have to follow. I think a lot of this depends on the size of your school.  Here is an example of my school schedule.

4. Set Up Your Classroom

Thoughtful classroom setup is crucial for a productive learning environment for any teacher, but especially a A New Kindergarten Teacher. You can see my classroom setup here. Consider the following:

– Student Materials: Organize cubbies and storage for bookbags and personal items. Will students have desks or tables? Will they have group supplies or individual supplies? How can students access their supplies?

– Your Materials: Ensure easy access to teaching supplies and resources. Think about big things like the library, cubbies, and hands-on materials. These are not small things but can lay a strong foundation in class and the flow of the classroom in different ways. Speaking of which… 

– Traffic Flow: Arrange furniture to allow smooth movement and minimize distractions. Where are circle time, small groups, and whole groups? 

Setting up your kindergarten classroom thoughtfully from the beginning of the year will save you a lot of time and effort later on.

Classroom library tips here.

5. Decorate with Year-Long Materials

Choose decorations that will be relevant throughout the school year. Think about educational posters, visual supports, and student work displays that can be updated regularly or not regularly. This approach saves time and keeps the classroom environment fresh and engaging. I can tell you that I love having my calendar take up my bulletin board so I don’t have to change it up regularly. We do change out our hallway display. 
Here are some tips for classroom decor.

6. Develop a Behavior Plan

Establish a clear behavior plan for both the class as a whole and individual plans for specific students. Consistent expectations and consequences help create a positive learning environment. Consider reward systems, clear rules, and consistent routines. A well-thought-out behavior plan is one of the most important things you can do to ensure a smooth first year of teaching.

Again, this may seem easy, but your school may have a required system in place. I can tell you my school system requires the use of PBIS and my grade level does Class Dojo to earn points to redeem for rewards. 

7. Collaborate with Your Team

Work closely with your grade-level team to ensure consistency in curriculum, behavior expectations, and classroom procedures. This collaboration can be incredibly beneficial, as it provides a support network and ensures a unified approach, which is often required by school administrations. I highly recommend being on a group chat so you can ask questions and communicate often, even before school starts to work on building strong relationships with her peers. 

8. Hold Off on Buying Supplies

Resist the urge to buy a lot of school supplies before you start. Once you see what is already available in your classroom, you can better determine what additional items you truly need. Create a wishlist and allow those who want to support you. But, keep reading… 

To start off on the right foot, I highly recommend entering your classroom and taking time to sort through existing materials by subject and store them appropriately and perhaps by subject. Don’t discard anything until you’re sure it’s not useful for the year. Additionally, you need to find out what your school provides for you AND what is given to parents on the supply list. Do this before you make that Amazon Wish List as the best way to ensure you get valuable items that you need and don’t have an overflow of supplies you may not get to. 

Another big topic is children’s books. YES, grab your favorite book or two when you see them at a great price, but also see what is left and see what you can get from veteran teachers as an easy way to get books. I highly recommend having some chapter book titles on hand and decodable books for students to read. Teachers always want a robust student library, but this takes time to get lots of books into the hands of little learners. 

Additional Tips for New Kindergarten Teachers

– Think Long-Term: Your daily schedule should reflect a long-term plan. While it may not be perfect for the first week of school, having a structured plan will help you and your students establish a daily routine. We do not start with our full schedule as students have to build up their attention span. 

– Focus on Fundamentals: Emphasize basic teaching methods that are developmentally appropriate for young children, such as hands-on learning and cooperative learning. These approaches support fine motor skills and emotional development. These important skills take lots of hard work and time and our the basic teaching method we must work on to make strong learners. 

– Plan Engaging Activities: Use a variety of fun activities to keep your young students engaged. Incorporate math manipulatives, science of reading strategies, and writer’s workshops to cater to different learning styles. Providing engaging activities is the most fantastic way to make your classroom fun for you and your learners. 

– Utilize Visual Supports: Visual cues and a visual schedule can help young minds understand and follow the daily routine. These are powerful tools in a kindergarten classroom. I post my visual schedule for ME and my students to follow. 

– Stay Organized: Keep a class list and track student information meticulously. This organization is crucial for meeting students’ needs and planning appropriate practice.

– Reflect and Adjust: At the end of the year, reflect on what worked well and what didn’t. This reflection will inform your planning for the next year and help you continuously improve your teaching methods. Don’t stress if you have weakness, everyone DOES. Reflect and improve. 

Starting your career as a kindergarten teacher is a thrilling and rewarding experience. By taking these preparatory steps, you’ll set the foundation for a successful and enjoyable year. Remember to lean on your mentor, stay organized, and embrace the adventure ahead. Your young students are lucky to have you, and with the right preparation, you’ll make a lasting impact on their early education journey. I hope you enjoyed these tips for first year kindergarten.

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