LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Kristi Johnson Smith was a 2005–06 LEARN Fellow working in the area of new teacher support. Kristi taught high school world history and grade eight North Carolina history from 1998 to 2005 in Texas, Massachusetts, and North Carolina, most recently at Southern High School in Durham. Currently a Ph.D. student in Curriculum and Instruction in the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education, she holds a B.A. in history from Princeton and a Ed.M. in Teaching and Curriculum from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Resources created by Kristi Johnson Smith

“Getting to know you” questionnaire
Title: Getting to Know You Binder Section: Daily Work Date:   Name:   Subject:...
By Kristi Johnson Smith.
“I am very sorry. It is going to happen again”
In The First Year, page 4.2
Maintain your commitment to classroom organization and management all the way through the end of the year.
Format: article
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
'Tis the season...for observations
In The First Year, page 2.8
When you're facing an observation, keep your focus on your students, and think of it as an opportunity to work with administrators and gain a new perspective on your teaching.
Format: article
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
And you thought it had been a long time since someone thanked you
In The First Year, page 4.3
Take time to show your appreciation for secretaries, custodians, and other support staff in your school.
Format: article
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
Balancing order and learning in classroom discussions
In The First Year, page 3.6
Different learning objectives require different rules for student participation. Make your expectations for each day's class clear to students — and to yourself!
Format: article
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
Communicating with parents at the beginning of the year
In The First Year, page 1.3
Start communicating with parents at the beginning of the year, to establish a relationship before you have anything negative to say.
Format: article/best practice
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
Connecting with colleagues: No tricks, all treat!
In The First Year, page 2.4
You're busy, but making time for conversation with colleagues will pay off in the long run.
Format: article
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
Creating a safe space for students to take academic risks
In The First Year, page 1.6
A classroom culture that encourages students to take academic risks starts with the teacher.
Format: article/best practice
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
Discipline log
A log of student behaviors and consequences. Especially useful during conferences with parents or administrators about student behavior.
Format: document
Finding an emotional outlet you can get into
In The First Year, page 3.8
If you don't take care of yourself and respect your own needs, you can't meet your students' needs, either.
Format: article
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
Getting to know them
In The First Year, page 1.5
Getting to know your students as real people makes your classroom a more effective learning environment.
Format: article/best practice
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
Getting to know you: A survey for students
This sample questionnaire asks students about themselves so that you can learn more about who they really are, outside of class.
Format: document
Helping students get organized
In The First Year, page 1.4
Tips for helping students keep track of their materials and supplies.
Format: article/best practice
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
I know who they are, but who am I?
In The First Year, page 3.10
In your efforts to build relationships with your students, be sure to maintain your status as their teacher.
Format: article
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
IEP Notebook
Forms for tracking modifications made for exceptional students.
Format: document
If he's in danger of failing, at least three people need to know it
In The First Year, page 4.1
Get in touch with parents to prevent students' failure, not just to report on it.
Format: article
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
ISS Plans
For students placed on in-school suspension.
Format: document
It’s November. Do you know where your energy is?
In The First Year, page 2.6
How to sustain your energy as the year wears on.
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
James and the Giant Pencil: Lessons in classroom management
In The First Year, page 2.7
Don't back your students into a corner, and don't make discipline the focus of your class.
Format: article
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.
Listening while you work: Using informal assessments to inform your instruction
In The First Year, page 2.2
Ongoing classroom assessment can be informal, but it provides invaluable information about what students are actually learning.
Format: article
By Kristi Johnson Smith.Commentary and sidebar notes by Lindy Norman.