A smooth running classroom is the result of implementing appropriate rules and procedures

so that students know what is expected. Either you set the standards, or your students will.

efficient

effective

What students want to know when they enter your classroom on the first day:

Why the First Day of School is so important

What is done on the first day will to a large extent, determine the success of that class.

Greet students personally as they enter the room.

On the First Day of School

Assign seats to students

On the First Day of School

On the First Day of School

Instruct students to begin the assignment at their desks as soon as they find their seat.

I put an assignment on the board every single day before the students came in to my classes. I now have one of the smoothest running classrooms, and the students produce more for me now than at any other time.

Shirley Bert Lee, Elementary TeacherThe First Days of School

I put an assignment on the board every single day before the students came in to my classes. I now have one of the smoothest running classrooms, and the students produce more for me now than at any other time.

Shirley Bert Lee, Elementary TeacherThe First Days of School

First Day Assignment

‘Bell Work’

reading math

revisionspelling

colouringdrawing

The one, single, most important factor governing student learning is classroom management.

Educational Leadership, January 1994

Classroom Discipline Plan

Discipline Plan

Rules Have Consequences

Never make a rule that

you are not willing to enforce

every time

Rules

Consequences

Rewards

Praise

Whole class PAT

Movie and popcorn

party

Joy of learning

The number one problem in classrooms is not discipline; it is

the lack of procedures and routines.

The First Days of School, p167

Procedures to teachOn the First Day of School

Without procedures and routines there is no

structure.Without structure, no one

knows what to do.

Without procedures and routines there is no

structure.Without structure, no

one knows what to do.

Teaching Procedures:Explain, Rehearse, Reinforce

Explain: state, explain, model

and demonstrate the procedure.

Rehearse: rehearse and practice the procedure under your supervision.

Reinforce: reteach, rehearse, practice, reinforce.

Procedure for quieting a class

... Until it is right

Waiting in line procedure

Waiting in line procedure

1.Feet together2.Arms at side3.No talking

Computer lab procedure

1. Wash hands2. No more than 2 people at a computer3. Clean the area before you leave4. Log out of all programs5. If it is the end of the day, close down the

computer.

Your procedures will become routines

Procedures = achievement and responsible behaviour

Teach Responsible behaviour

Clean up handing

out

Bulletin Board

Clean up

General Chores

Identify the procedures you need for your classroom and teach them as the need presents

Managing Behaviour

It has been estimated that a teacher makes more decisions in an

hour than an air traffic controller.

Tools for Teaching, Fred Jones

Your Room – placement of furniture

Make is easier to be in close proximity to students

XX

‘work the crowd’

Make eye contact

with those at a distance

Green: Clear to

goof off –teacher not

nearby

Managing stress will enable you to manage the classroom more effectively

If you are calm, you will have a calming effect on those around you

Remaining calm in the face of stress, is a skill

What you say non-verbally will have a greater impact than what you say verbally

Body language is the

language of emotion

and intention.

Managing classroom disruptions

A difficult choice?

Discipline or instruction?

How big is the

disruption

How important is

the assignment?

No means no every

time

No means no every

time

At some point, dealing with the same provocations from the same students over and over again will become personal.

Being consistent

If you respond based upon your feelings, you can never be consistent.

Managing classroom disruptions

Learn to Relax

Reading students body language

Reading students body language

With good eye contact there is a tension between the teacher and the student that builds

with each passing second.

Walk over to the green zone

Move towards the disruptive student

Say their names in a flat tone of

voice

Say their names in a flat tone of

voice

Moving InWalk to the edge of the desk, stand relaxed and upright

Look at feet and legs

Visual prompt to move fully around

If half attempt given to you - Verbal prompt

Rest your weight on both palms, watch and wait

Wait long enough for a stable return to work

If you are given eye prompts - student looks up and down, stay down

Thank the student and stay down, watch and wait.

Moving Out

Repeat the process with the second student

Stand slowly after thanking the second student

If Eyes up, eyes down: wait

as you leave, turn fully towards disrupters

Do not move away too

quickly

Do not move away too

quickly

Camouflage

Work the crowd

Use eye contact

Protect student from

embarrassment

Arrive at the disrupter’s desk

and give a knowing look

Apply Rules, consequences and rewards Implement Procedures Plan ahead Assignments posted daily

Effective teachers:

Join Associations Attend Conferences Subscriptions Internet groups Set up a personal learning network Learn from experts around you

Be a top professional

Images: lightbulb, Joe Colburn Classroom by Dave_mcmt Kids Painting, image by pingu1963 School entrance by Dave-mcmt Teacher, by EditorB Blackboard kid, image taken from friendofsnails Handshake by sudama http://www.flickr.com/photos/35468150609@N01/16557880 Chalkboard background to school boy, by winged photography School boy, by tomfhaines Desks, by Ben Werdmuller Slide 11, classroom by Liz Marie Notepad image by efekt Bell work, school door image by Dave_mcmt Discipline classroom by EditorB Rules by faeryboots Classroom rules by szlea Rewards image by (classroom) LizMarie Shhh by said&done Responsible behavour, tidy area in classroom by LizMarie Cloud question mark by fontplaydotcom School building by Dave_mcmt Rehearse image by yeowatzup Gymnastic image (poutre) by Raoheal Goetter Rehearse2 by markwick Ballet image by nayrb7

Classroom rules by LindaH Parking image by Jaako Broken light bulb image by Kyle May Slide 25, Well ordered classroom by glassbeednorth Classroom 2, by glassbeednorth Slide 34, Forming a line image, by woodleywonderworks Pencil image by arquera Computer lab, laffy4K Practising routine, image by pingu1963 Playing piano by flickrized Classroom (empty desks) by saibotregeel Clock image by tamelyn Crowd control (image for fill) by James Cridland Traffic light image by Johnmarchan Calm picture, island, by eindzel On task, image by pingu1963 Mad expression by kevin dooley Discipline image by hyperscholar Blind eye, image by DerrekT Students at desks by hoyasmeg Expression, body language by EditorB Relax by *Hini* Student sitting at desk, image by foundphotosli Smiley face image by xtheowl Portrait by flikr Green light by James Cridland Moving In image, classroom by hoyasmeg Moving Out image by peidianlong Camouflage by jmurawski

Jones, F, 2007, Tools for Teaching, Fredric Jones & Associates Wong, H & R, 2004, The First Days of School, Harry K Wong Publications