Effective = Maintaining Control in the Classroom Richard N. Roper Secondary Math Specialist ESC Region 15

 Start gathering useful information.  Talk to Principal to identify any special needs.  Meet with the Counselor to learn about any modifications/accommodations.  Look at previous year’s data to find individual needs/concerns.  Talk to other faculty members to identify unusual circumstances/discipline issues.

 What does your seating arrangement look like?  What is on your walls? Where is your desk?  Where are your belongings?  Where is the School Information Section located?  Where is the Overhead/Document Camera/ Projector/Smartboard/Promethean Board?  Where is the Pledge of Allegiance/Honor the Texas Flag/School Mission Statements located?  Where are the classroom materials (i.e. calculators/ extra books/trashcan/pencil sharpener)?

 Where are the student expectations posted?  Where are the teacher expectations posted?  What are your discipline expectations?  Where are the consequences of bad behavior posted?  Where are the school rules/classroom rules posted?  What is your attention signal?  How does the parents know about all of these expectations?

 Where are the classroom academic expectations posted? Are they clearly defined?  What are your expectations when students are working in groups and/or at stations?  When is the instructional part of your class period?  When can they expect to work independently during a typical class period?  When are the assignments due?  When can they expect the assignments to be graded?

 What are your expectations on Testing days?  What things are they responsible for keeping up with? (Calculator, Book, Pencils, Paper, etc.)  What is your late work policy? Is it posted in the classroom?  Are the long term goals/TEKS posted in your classroom?  What modifications can/will you use in your classroom? (Documentation)

 Gather parental contact information either directly or indirectly.  Rules for contacting parents about misbehavior in the classroom. (Documentation)  Offer supporting roles and enlisting feedback from parents.  Have some kind of contact with parents about student’s progress on a regular basis.  How will you establish/develop positive relationships with parents?

 Maintain a level head at all times.  Stand your ground when you know you are right.  Immediately apologize and document when you realize your mistakes.  Always use positive motivation while working with students and parents.  Always be honest to the students, parents, fellow faculty members and/or administration.

 Learn each and every student’s name as quickly as possible.  Find out what motivates them to achieve.  Continue to create a positive physical space in your classroom.  Continue to communicate expectations.  Have a plan when a new student enters your classroom.  Be proactive in your classroom.  Above all, build positive and professional relationships with all your students!

Richard N. Roper Secondary Mathematics Specialist Region 15 Education Service Center (325)