Miscellaneous Helpful Hints

The First Day First impressions count! First impressions count! Begin class promptly Begin class promptly Don’t forget to tell them your name Don’t forget to tell them your name Make sure they are in correct room Make sure they are in correct room Discuss your expectations Discuss your expectations Establish a routine Establish a routine Schedule changes are likely Schedule changes are likely

The First Day – Step by Step Check attendance from roster Check attendance from roster –Ask for names not called Provide overview of course Provide overview of course Provide relevant handouts Provide relevant handouts Small class activity Small class activity Allow enough time for “wrap up” Allow enough time for “wrap up” –Teacher dismisses not bell Assign and modify seating chart Assign and modify seating chart Distribute books Distribute books

Learning Their Names Learn all and use them Learn all and use them Take attendance from roster Take attendance from roster –Practice pronunciation – make notes –Ask for name preference Fill in seating chart Fill in seating chart Make notes at end of class/day Make notes at end of class/day Say names whenever you can Say names whenever you can Greet them at door and ask if you can’t remember Greet them at door and ask if you can’t remember

Bulletin Boards Connect to course material Connect to course material –Help tie new concepts together –Seek student input and help Provide student recognition Provide student recognition –Certificates –Roster –Newspaper articles –Digital pictures

Substitute Folders Emergency Emergency –Teaching schedule – name, location, time –Seating chart - note helpful student –Activities students can do at any point in time –Lab instructions Planned Absence Planned Absence –Lesson plans –Specific instructions for day

Generic Information for Sub Disaster procedures Disaster procedures Attendance, tardy, and pass slips Attendance, tardy, and pass slips Study hall procedures Study hall procedures Classroom policies Classroom policies Administration contact Administration contact Call buttons Call buttons Location of restroom and lunchroom Location of restroom and lunchroom Colleague’s name for help Colleague’s name for help End of day procedures – lab preparation End of day procedures – lab preparation

Student Absences Daily assignment sheet Daily assignment sheet Teach responsibility Teach responsibility

Class Folders Label one folder for each class period Label one folder for each class period Use different colors Use different colors Use to organize, transport, and store papers Use to organize, transport, and store papers

Grading Don’t grade everything Don’t grade everything Return quickly Return quickly Develop rubrics Develop rubrics Put letter grade on paper Put letter grade on paper Have students track grade Have students track grade

Lesson Plan Book Use pencil Use pencil Record school happenings Record school happenings –Snow dates –No school days –Midterms –Testing Keep it up to date Keep it up to date Keep for future reference Keep for future reference

Files Throw out old versions Throw out old versions Date everything Date everything Make revisions ASAP Make revisions ASAP Restock files with updated copies Restock files with updated copies Keep a resource folder Keep a resource folder –Teaching suggestions –Filler activities

Praise Verbal or written to student and/or parent Verbal or written to student and/or parent Stickers Stickers Certificates Certificates Birthday recognition Birthday recognition Treats for special events or holidays Treats for special events or holidays –Candy or food –Special projects –No seating chart day

Personality Be professional Be professional Be flexible Be flexible Be able to laugh at yourself and with students Be able to laugh at yourself and with students Be firm, but caring Be firm, but caring Work smarter, not harder Work smarter, not harder

Classroom Behavior Maintain good eye contact with all Maintain good eye contact with all Move around the room Move around the room Be alert to nonverbal cues Be alert to nonverbal cues Ask students to do things Ask students to do things Repeat most important ideas of a lesson Repeat most important ideas of a lesson Keep students involved Keep students involved Don’t lose your temper Don’t lose your temper

Nervous? Students are nervous too! Students are nervous too! Be prepared and organized Be prepared and organized Be polite Be polite Relax and smile Relax and smile Interact with students Interact with students Find a routine Find a routine

Remember the Following: It is easier to get nicer than meaner. It is easier to get nicer than meaner. Be prepared at all times. Be prepared at all times. It’s easy to get attached to the students. It’s easy to get attached to the students. Don’t be afraid to let them know you care. Don’t be afraid to let them know you care. Show them the same respect you expect from them. Show them the same respect you expect from them. Put a lot of time and effort into your lesson plans and discuss with colleagues. Put a lot of time and effort into your lesson plans and discuss with colleagues. Expect the unexpected. Expect the unexpected.