Getting Off to a Good Start Evertson, Chapter 4

Creating a Positive Climate in Your Class Speak courteously and calmly Share information Use positive statements Establish feeling of community Teaching Rules and Procedures Describe and demonstrate desired behavior Rehearse desired behavior Feedback

Planning for a Good Beginning Whole group lesson Take into account students concerns Watch carefully to detect problems Greet students: –Prepare students name tags  watch pins! –As students enter the room greet them warmly and calling their names –Make temporary seating chart –Introduce yourself –Show where everything is in the class

Get acquainted activities –Ask students to introduce themselves or reciprocal introductions –Use name game (adjectives) –Have students write their biographies or complete a questionnaire –Make a puzzle with student names –Set aside time to discuss what they have learned that day –Scavenger hunt describing the student and the rest of the class name who he/she is –Have students bring an item that represents them

Presentation and discussion of rules –School rules –Classroom rules –Consequences –Copy of the rules and send them to the parents –Review procedures Content activities –Use uncomplicated activities and have Time fillers Administrative activities –Grade book –Ordering materials In a + way

Communicating with Parents Materials needed Times available Curri- culum Field trips events Meals Special and Common Problems Interruptions  let the person wait, not your class give students something to do Late arrivals  greet them as warmly as possible let the student know what they have missed One or more children are assigned to your class after the first day  same as above Child forgets lunch money or supplies  use emergency funds have extra supplies Large amount of paper work  do not use class time or monitor the class while you work Keep Track

Occasional Problems Child forgets bus number or misses the bus –Rehearse bus procedures –Label the younger students so others can help –Have parents’ phone numbers Insufficient number of textbooks –Before classes begin, check the availability of books –Have students share –Teacher prepared materials One student has a disability that interferes with understanding or following directions –Seat students close to you and engage students in simple activities –Refer child, perhaps in resource room –Talk to the parents

Crying –Find out the cause –Distract the child and engage him in an activity –Assign a friend to accompany him to get water, wash her face etc. Wetting –Very embarrassing –Have paper towels to facilitate clean-up –Call home so they can bring a new change of clothes Child becomes sick –Stay calm –Do not leave the child unnattended

Preparing for a Substitute Class roll Seating chart Copy of classroom rules and consequences Daily schedule List of medical alerts and medications Emergency lesson plans Names of teachers and students who can provide assistance Emergency procedures Map of the school