Some thoughts about the first days of school:
- 1st day of school will make or break a teacher
- Effective teachers manage the classroom more than discipline the classroom
- Establish a well-managed classroom
- Students deeply involved with their work
- Students know expectations
- Students are generally successful
- Little wasted time, confusion, or disruptions
- Climate of class is task-oriented but relaxed and pleasant
- You as the teacher will be happier
- Main problem in classroom is lack of procedures & routines
- Explain, rehearse, reinforce
- Effective teachers spend time rehearsing routines
- Design a Successful Start
- Have room ready--be at the door and smile
- You have assigned seats—Project on screen
- 1st assignment on the board—short, interesting, easy
- Have students start work immediately
- If student enters room inappropriately, have the student return to door and enter again appropriately
- Learn students’ names
- Plan Routines and Procedures
- Have room ready
- You are at the door
- You have assigned seats—Project on screen
- 1st assignment on the board—short, interesting, easy
- Students start work immediately
- If student enters room inappropriate, have student return to door and enter again appropriately
- Classroom Management Plan
- 3-5 measurable, specific, positive rules
- Examples: a compliance rule, a preparation rule, a talking rule, a classroom behavior rule
- Plan appropriate rewards; have a hierarchy of consequences
- Be Professional
- Adhere to contract hours
- Dress professionally
- Computer belongs to school; do not use inappropriately
- Start Student Learning on Day One
- Make sure students understand this is a learning environment
- Go through routines, rules, and procedures
- Go over “I Can” statement (objective) every day
- Curriculum Map/Lesson Plan
- Develop a yearlong curriculum map based on core standards
- Develop lesson plans that navigate through the class and reflect on map
- Take Care of Yourself
- Take care of your heath; better to prevent than to treat
- Know how to call for a substitute
- Develop an emergency substitute plan and leave on desk every night
- A happy teacher smiles more and makes better choices