Back to School Tips

As I thought about how overwhelmed we are as we head back to facing our new students once again, some thoughts came to mind I wanted to share with my web friends:

1. Decorate your room with something of interest to the students. Use a puzzle in your subject area that they can begin trying to solve. Let them know there is a solution, and there will be a benefit for solving it. At the end of the first week, after reminding them about it each day, let them know who solved it and what the solution is. You may even want to draw it out by giving clues. Give recognition to all who had an idea, not just the correct solution. Students are most motivated by encouragement. Success breeds success. Reward effort and success will come. The success will often not be in the answer, but in the relationship.

2. Tell students two facts about yourself the first day. Know ahead of time what those will be. Make them a connection tool, like what you were like when you entered that grade, or a student you remembered that year. Be sure to make it personal so that they see that you are opening up to them. Research has shown that students perform best for teachers who have made a connection with them.

3. Ask them what their expectations are the first day. A great way to do this is to give them a small strip of paper as they enter (if you are at the elementary level, do this after lunch). Ask them to write one or two things they hope to DO this year, this semester, or this week. Put on some music and let them write (or draw) for 2 minutes. Be careful not to allow too much time as they will begin discussion on their own. Open discussion after two minutes getting them to share with those around them. Then take up the papers and continue discussion in a whole class forum. The important element in this exercise is to follow through with some of the suggestions they made. Let them know what you will incorporate from their suggestions. This creates ownership in the learning environment and promotes participation.

Good luck with these ideas. Please send me your ideas and tell me what your key to having a successful beginning to this new school year is. Thanks!

Jordan