Where are you from?? By Cathy-Dee

I teach grade 1 so I can't comment directly, but these are some of the things I think any first year teacher should look at.

- borders - I tend to stay away from too many of the holiday ones especially in the first few years otherwise you are forever changing them and of course there is the cost of buying them. I like to have 3 seasonal ones (autumn, winter and spring/summer, plus a few nicely patterned ones)

- some displays you most likely will want.
- calendar/weather charts
- numbers to 10 or 20
- colours and colour words
- alphabet

- I look for old calendars this time of year and buy them. They are great to take apart and laminate. Look for ones that might fit some of your themes, bears, rabbits, farms, spring, winter, etc.,

If you are not sure if there is a "teacher" store in Yellowknife it is nice that we can order in from catalogues, etc., I have a few links to places in Canada so if you are interested just email me.

Think about what your first themes might be, I find kindergarten tends to revolve more around themes because the curriculum is more learning basics rather than specific subject areas.

Some fall themes might be Autumn (as a season), apples, Nursery Rhymes, Dr. Seuss, you can find some display resources, teacher resources, etc., to bring with you as well.

I have found that many of our Northern Schools are actually quite well-equipped with resources because they cannot simply borrow or rent equipment easily. So chances are you will have a well-stocked library, manipulatives, etc.,

Find out the following from your school....
- resources you already have for the classroom - books, etc.,
- curriculum guides - what will you be expected to cover
- class size (estimation)
- room layout - Can they send you pictures via email of your classroom, Can you visit before the summer, will you have tables, desks, computers,
- sample year plans from previous kindergarten teachers

A lot you can't do until you actually get to your school. Having the curriculum guides (year plans) can help you start planning and getting that type of paper work out of the way.

Check out a local "teacher's" resource store. There are hundreds of books you can buy, this is what I tend to look for in a book.

- 1 or 2 books with good reproducables, especially seasonal ones, math activities, letters.
- a book with reproducable little sight word stories - great if you do not have a lot of book resources.
- 1 or 2 books directed to kindergarten and centers, other activities
- music - I purchased songs with phonics, math songs, etc., they are fun to use with little ones.
- one good art idea book

The internet as well has tons of great ideas and there are some good kindergarten sites out there.

And a bit of other advice.....

- concentrate right now on your move in general. Plan for the first month or two of school as far as themes and resources, but don't worry about every little detail. Your first year will be a time for you to find out what you need and don't need. I bought way too many books in my first few years and rarely use some of them because it took me time to figure out what my style of teaching was and what books would them be useful for me to purchase.
- It's important for you to feel settled when you move and have a "home" to go home too. In our Northern communities the teacher's who burn out the quickest are those who have not set up a home to live in. While first year teachers and even some of us more experienced ones do spend a lot of time in school, we need to have down time as well.

Feel free to email me if you have other questions. It's so much fun having your first teaching position.