Ok, the number one secret to teaching...

In my last post (if anybody read it), I talked about the number one secret to teaching, and well, here it is:

Classroom Management:

Hear me out. I know you have heard about classroom management. However, have you had actual classes in just classroom management? If you have, have you actually experienced classroom management (before student teaching)? Even in student teaching, though, you still have your mentor teacher backing you up a lot.

So, I know you know that classroom management is important, but I'm going to say something different. Classroom management is everything.

Everything in the classroom requires good classroom management. That's it.

Now, here's the thing. I admit that certain people may have certain powers. Some of us are just naturally more intimidating and classroom management comes easily. There are always going to be those teachers that just have it in them. I was not one of them.

Admittedly, I'm 5'2", young, and well, I just don't got that scary teacher look. You earn that look most of the time.

Second, I severely underestimated what it took to a manage a classroom. That's why the next few million posts (not really) will probably focus on classroom management.

So, here's my first tip for your first day. By the way, if you're reading this in the middle of the year, just bear with me - there are some things you can still do, but I'll have to talk about them in another post.

For the first day, you need to have every single little procedure planned. I do NOT care what grade level you are (K-12) or maybe even college...I've taught some college courses by the way.

Think of everything. EVERYTHING. You need a rule for everything, and again, I don't care if you teach older grades! Teachers assume that once students get older, they just get it, but that's not really it. Students get that some teachers have rules and some don't. Be the teacher that has rules for your sanity. Students will always test you. Even the 'good' ones.

Having rules does not mean you are not fun. It does not mean that you're boring. It means you want organization and some controlled chaos, which I'll talk about later. Ask yourself:

• What is my policy for restrooms?
• Sharpening pencils?
• How do I call on students?
• What if students do not have paper, pencils, or other supplies?
• How do students enter my classroom?
• What do students do once they enter my classroom?
• Are students allowed out of their seats? When?
• Are they allowed to bring food or drinks?
• How should they act in the hallway if they are going somewhere else?

Stop here. This is just the beginning. Now what about:

• Expectations for classroom discussions?
• Signals for students to calm down or be quiet?
• Group/partner work expectations?
• How do my students answer a question? Complete Sentences? Sentence Stems?
• What are my discipline procedures? (This is a big one and a whole other post...)
• How do my students address me?
• How do my students leave the classroom? At the bell?

Ok, I'm not even done. The point is there is some much to take into account before you start the year that it is extremely difficult to fix later on. This is why the first day/week is so important. Now, in my next few posts, I'll focus on some of these items. Also, I'll write about some things for the teachers who did not do so well establishing procedures their first weeks.

There is so much, but really, procedures, procedures, procedures will save your life. I'm sure there have been studies, but here's the point - they work. They just need to be establish early on. When I walked in on my first day of independent teaching, the biggest mistake I had was giving my students control by not having procedures in place. As a teacher, you want to be in control, not necessarily a dictator, of course. Still, you are the leader of the class.

Now, I want to end this post with another 'mini-lesson'...yay!

Controlled Chaos:

One misconception I had about teaching was control itself. For one, I wanted students to like me, but I also thought that students had to be quiet, or at least very quiet, at all times. This created a terrible situation. Not only did I have terrible classroom management because I did not know how to be consistent and stern, but I also freaked out when things were a little chaotic, even when students were learning.

First of all, have a signal for students to get quiet from day one. Again, I don't care what grade level you are teaching. Have students practice this  until they get. I use "give me five" and "rain" for my 6th graders.

1. Give me Five: You say  "Give me Five" and students put all 5 fingers out on one or both hands. This means they have to be still/quiet when it comes to all five senses. Do not continue lesson until all students are giving five.
2. Rain: This might work better with younger students, but I say rain, and they all go "shhhhh". This is supposed to sound like rain. This is a quick reminder

There are many more of these, but do something that works for you, your students, and your grade level. Obviously, different signals will be appropriate for different grade levels. For older grades, I'd recommend a short phrase that brings all your students together and doesn't 'embarrass' students. For younger grades, I'd recommend something fun and easy to remember.

Finally, have your students practice! One thing you'll notice is that sometimes students get lazy during the middle or end of the year with these types of signals. Don't let them. You can always do tiny lessons reminding students about the importance of such signals.

Well, it's time for me to get going, but my next post will be about Positive Behavior Reinforcement (PBS), which has been a godsend. I hope you tune in, subscribe, and leave comments as this blog grows.

Thanks for reading.