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I’m a 7th grade ELA teacher in Texas!
a High School English Teacher
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1. Set expectations immediately. 2. Have something for them to do as soon as they walk in the door…bell ringer, Post-It on the desk, review question…something. 3. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Have pencils and paper available. If they have Chromebooks, set up a few extension cords for charging. Take away the barriers and excuses they may have. 4. Be real. Let them see you as a person. Be honest and up front. 5. Don’t yell at the class. Find the instigators and be close to them. Develop the “mom” look. Talk with them individually about your expectations. 6. Don’t be afraid to contact parents. Be factual, don’t rant. Let them know what disciplinary steps are coming if their child doesn’t follow expectations. 7. Follow through on discipline. 8. Don’t be afraid to smile and laugh!
Great advice! I would add that students will also have a greater "buy in" if they have some early successes. Also, have students start all assignments in class so that they are prepared as more likely to finish. Be respectful of student time by minimizing "busy work." Less can be more and students are less likely to cheat and plagiarize if instructions are clear, with examples, and the have guidance in class as opposed to an open ended assignment done completely at home.
Best of luck to you in your new position! I think the most important thing is to get to know your students- in order for them to be comfortable discussing literature in a safe environment they have to feel valued and heard. I love Socratic seminar- it gives everyone a voice and can be such a powerful tool to encourage critical thinking and mutual respect. The respectful environment is key- when that is established and kids feel safe that’s when the “ magic” happens! Best of luck!
Thank you!! I really appreciate it. My college mentor swore by the Socratic seminar method too so I'm excited to try it.
It's better to run out of time for your lesson and go over to the next day than it is to run out of lesson and have dead time at the end of the hour.
Make friends with secretaries and custodians.
this goes for any teacher of any subject at any grade at any school:
1. "they don't care what you know, 'til they know that you care." forget all this nonsense about not smiling until christmas (or, in your case, spring break). good teaching is all about establishing positive relationships with your students. get to know them and like them. they can tell when you do. (and know when you don't.)
2. figure out a good attention-getting device. (i like the: "if you can hear the sound of my voice, clap (random number of times)." don't try to give directions or instructions until it's quiet. kids can't talk and listen at the same time.
3. don't use a seating chart. write the kids' names on index cards, and place them on the desks where you want them to sit. use these cards to do attendance. use them to learn their names. collect them at the end of the period or the end of the day. shuffle them to create learning groups. let the kids decorate or personalize them for a fun activity. keep them and use them throughout the year.
4. begin with the end in mind. (the bureaucratic jargon words are "backwards design.") what does your final EOC or AP/IB/AICE exam look like? what do the kids need to know to do well on that exam? then figure out what, how and when to teach them the skills and content they will need to do well on that exam.
5. pick your battles. you will simply not be physically able to do all of the things that administration needs or wants you to do. no one can. decide what is most important, and do that first. then start on the less important. and by that, i mean, do first what your kids need. then you can do what your admin. wants. and when it all gets to be too much, close your door and teach your kids.
6. as much as you can, try to teach what you want, the way you want to, to keep yourself interested and engaged. if you're having fun, your kids will, too. (no matter the curriculum, whether it's ESE or ELL, AP or IB, there's always a way to make the lessons your own. do your best to try.
7. don't lecture. kids might be able to pay attention for 20 minutes max. that's all. spice things up. get them up and moving around, if you can. go outside if the lesson and the weather permits. think: pair & share. gallery walks. study groups. group work. class projects. class presentations. video creation.
8. figure out a way to use songs, videos, movies, etc. in your lessons. kids need variety. some need it to learn better. others need it just to break up the day. (you do, too!)
9. if and when possible: feed them! kids are trained seals. throw them treats every once in a while, and they will perform all manner of tricks. (also, use food to reward students for a job well done. they studied hard and performed well on that AP exam? pizza party!)
10. keep student portfolios in the classroom. don't hand the kids random pieces of paper, or graded work. put the work in the folders. this way, the kids can't lose them, and will have them when they need them.
Thank you Florida!! I seriously appreciate the effort that went into this response.
Start chronicling your career by keeping
1. a smile file — for all the cards and compliments you receive. If it’s an email, print it.
2. a blank hard bound book so kids can write in it when they say something profound and/or witty or come up with a great idea. They will love the validation and notoriety.
If you try to manage them the way you'd manage smaller kids, it won't work. Instead, just be matter of fact. No posturing or threatening: just state the facts and continue imparting knowledge. Don't entertain their momentary concerns or questions either until you've gotten through your lesson and directions. Most of the time, you're going to be reminding them of the obvious, so be as patient as possible. Also, share nothing with them as a class about yourself personally beyond favorite foods, music, etc. Someone wants to get to know you better? Tell them to stay after and you'd be glad to talk more. They won't, most of the time.