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The First Days of Schoolby Harry Wong
Overview & Theoretical Perspective
o A book to help teachers start their year successfully
o Addresses grades K-12o Discusses structure,
organization, discipline, & professionalism
o Designed for all teacherso First yearo Professorso Experiencedo Administrators
What are the best ways to arrange a classroom?
o Floor spaceo Students’ deskso Teacher’s desko Bookcases & filing
cabinetso Activity centers and work
areaso Things to consider
o Movement patterns of students
o The need for students to obtain materials, texts, supplies, etc.
o The need for students to see the instructor
o 5 keys to good room arrangemento Use an arrangement
consistent with your instructional goals and activities
o Keep high traffic areas free of congestion
o Be sure students are easily seen by the teacher
o Keep frequently used teaching materials and student supplies accessible
o Be certain students can see instructional presentations and displays
What are effective time management techniques?
Outside researcho Have instruction
constantly going ono Transition from one
activity to another quickly and easily
o Remind students of time remaining for a particular activity
o Take time to walk around and talk to students while they are working
First Days of School says…o Do not waste time to take
roll at the beginning of the day
o Have something for students to do as they enter the classroom
o Have 30 minutes of free time on Fridays
o Have lesson plans ready to go and practice them before class
What are good ways to transition from summer to school?
Teacher Preparationo First days determine
success for the yearo Organization and
structure from the beginning is key
o Teacher education rarely prepares new teachers
o Effective schools have programs for new teachers
Student Transitionso New classroom brings
change in social and environmental factors
o Lots of adjustmento Studies about school
transitions related to stresso Grades 3-4
o Improvements during breaks
What are some community building exercises?
Outside researcho Unity establishes a safe
environmento 6 strategies for building
community among diversityo Parent visitso Weekly interactive
newsletterso Open houseso Cultural letterso Valentine’s letterso Cultural celebrations
o Teacher models practice of communication
First Days of School says…o Creating community among
school community, not diverse learnerso Studentso Facultyo Parentso Community memberso Neighborhood
o Celebrate the first day of schoolo Welcome students o Bannero Announcementso Guides at school
How do you establish rules and transition into discussing them
with your students?Outside Researcho Types of rules
o Specifico General
o Writing ruleso New teachers
encouraged to create their own
o Student help is seen more often
First Days of School says…o Teacher centeredo School-wide plans
o Faculty is on the same pageo Students experience
consistencyo Keep list between 3 and 5 o Modeling is key
o Multiple times a dayo Non-examples
o Transitioningo Give list of rules to each
studento Direct attention to pre-
made poster
What are effective discipline techniques?
Outside researcho Responses based on
perceived intentiono Knowing when to
intercedeo Knowing appropriate
response
First Days of School says…o “Rules must have
consequences”o Need to be “reasonable
and logical”o See handout
o Don’t interrupt your lesson
Interviewing a Professionalo Amanda Lorenzo Teacher’s Aide at Bloomington Junior High
School
o What is one classroom management technique used in your classroom?o Post-it noteso First time student acts out puts a post-it on desko If misbehavior continues, puts tallies on post-ito At the end of the day, students with tallies see
teacher o Likes this method because it is subtle and doesn’t
embarrass students in front of their peers
o What is a type of positive reinforcement you use for classroom management?o Smiley faces on the board next to student names
for on task behavioro Thumbs-up basket
o Since you work specifically with students with behavior disorders, what are some techniques you use for behavior management?o Express concern even when it’s hardo If she needs to scold, takes student into hallwayo Silence can be golden
o Miss Lorenz’s classroom contract
The Websiteo http://www.effectiveteaching.com/o Digital & standard productso Online quizo Awards
o First Days of School won Education Bestseller Award
Professional Developmento Implementation guide
o Freeo Includes:
o Background informationo Activitieso Questions
o Videos on effective teaching
Our Thoughts
