I have secured my first teaching job in language arts and social studies. Yeah! I want to start planning some things out and brainstorming ideas over the summer, but I have absolutely no idea where to start. I've been fortunate to get the curriculum map for language arts, so I know the topics I am supposed to cover. I've looked over the students textbooks so I can become familiar with how they are set up.
I also want to start working on my class rules/grading policy. At the beginning of the school year I want to have my students help me create classroom policies (talk about why we have rules, what they want in a teacher, classmate, themselves, etc.).
I have no idea where to start. So much to do! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!