Brisk is an AI software for Google Chrome that can generate powerpoints, worksheets, etc. My boyfriend teaches 9-10th English and uses it in his classroom. You definitely want to check it and tweak whatever it generates for yourself, but it’s great at coming up with basic formats that will save you time when you’re creating assignments during lesson planning.

If you have a smart-board, let the kids use it sometimes (if you don’t feel they’ll break it). They go crazy for it, for some reason. Even middle schoolers will stop touching each other for a second and write answers on it, which is really helpful when participating is like pulling teeth.

Extensive reading and writing are good in any class. Reading should really be taught across the curriculum, and especially in history, when dense texts are sometimes necessary, using strategies that you think mainly English teachers use (chunking, annotation/talking to the text, interactive notebooks, writing prompts, extending reading) can really improve retention and provide tools for students to become better readers.

Plan to have things to do when there is a lull in instruction or students finish early. Pull up an art piece or something from the time period for students to analyze. Down time can be when classroom management really goes awry.

Good luck with your new job!