Now that you have survived the first 9 weeks, here are some
tips that I think will help your classroom run smoothly and give you the
confidence to make this year one to build your foundation on. The beginning of
your class is crucial to making your short time with your students count.
Every day you have a student without supplies.
You want to teach them responsibility and hold them accountable. However, we
must pick our battles. Your time is valuable and limited. Have your supplies
ready to give. Do not make this a hill to climb. There are other situations
that are prominent in molding the minds of our students. Taking time on
supplies gets in the way of learning and what you have to teach every day.
The little things you do to prepare will make a huge impact.
You spend so much of your time and thought in making lesson plans. Make this your focus every
day for you and your students. Write down that day’s lesson on the board. Share
with them how and why it is important for them to know this. Stay on task and
make time at the end of class to ask them what they have learned, make this a
conversation and not one sided. Studies have shown, just this simple connection
will increase comprehension and retention by more than 50%! Isn’t this what
teaching is all about!
Oh, this matter of discipline. We all what to
relate and influence the kids we are responsible to enlighten. You struggle
between controlling your classroom and equating with them. They automatically
see you as an authority figure. You can control what is accepted in your class
in a friendly manner! Ask kids who
are misbehaving what they are doing, what they are supposed to be doing, and
what they are going to do now. This will get to the heart of the matter
quickly. Kids see you have a clear focus on what’s supposed to be happening and
that you need this child to get right back to it. There is no personalized
blaming or attacks, just a “let’s get back to work” focus. Figuring out quick,
thoughtful ways to neutralize problems shows you care about your work and your
kids. That goes a long way toward keeping your class running without
disruption. Now that you know the exchange between certain kids in each
class, organize students by who can help each other and not distract. Praise
them for what they are doing right, then teach them the rest. That red pencil
can take a toll on their confidence.
Every child has a fight between being themselves and
pressure to “fit in”. Give them choices
to show case their unique personalities. Give
yourself the chance to demonstrate they do matter. Bonus work and the opportunity to improve can
boost your relationship with them and with themselves. They come with a host of
issues, make your classroom a safe place. Set down time to get involved in
issues that pertain to them.
Finally, HAVE FUN! Burn out is
REAL! Your enthusiasm and devotion are essential, but so is your sanity. Take
time to be you. Do those activities that relieve stress and help you unwind.
Take a break, you have earned it. This job is hard and underappreciated at
times. But, you were born with a special gift .Take a step back and breathe.
Remember why you are here, and if you ever feeling overwhelmed, come find me or another seasoned
teacher and vent, ask for help. We all have been there.
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