First Days of School

Students want to be able to relax in your classroom. The following clip highlights questions students will have (but won't ask!) on their first day in your classroom. Addressing these potential concerns early can help maximize the level of positive engagement they will have in their new environment.



There are many activities that can be done in the first few days that will help provide answers to the questions posed in the clip. Some teachers prefer structured teacher-oriented activities while others prefer community building activities. There is no best way. However, if you are going to use a community building activity, make sure to teach the procedures clearly beforehand. And if you are going to use a teacher-oriented activity, make sure to make strong connections with your students from the outset.

Share your first day of school activity with others by adding a post. Or pose a question to the BTSA community about possible activities. Also, refer to Rick's book, Conscious Classroom Management, pages 127 - 130, for ideas.

Content
The following 1-minute clip is a humorous anecdote about Rick's early days of teaching and the importance of being over-prepared for the first day. His advice is well-worth the 60 seconds it takes to view.

Behavior
Behavior issues can be a challenge for both new and veteran teachers alike. The clip below describes a strategy in which students take a quiz on classroom rules and behavior. Students must take the quiz until they earn 100%. Read more about this stategy on page 182. It may come in handy when meeting with parents about classroom management issues.