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INEXPENSIVE PAPER SORTING AND STORAGE Plastic paint tray liners are the perfect size to hold papers for distribution or collection. Use them to store supplies of writing paper, math worksheets, and other such documents that students need to be able to serve themselves in order to foster independence during class time. They can be easily stacked to free up counter space when needed.

STAY ORGANIZED DURING WRITING TIME To keep yourself and students on track during writing time, track progress through the stages of writing (Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, etc.) by making a column for each stage on a piece of 18” x 24” foam core. Write each student’s name on a post-it. As students move from one stage into another, you (or they) can move their post-it into the next column. This provides a quick and easy visual reference for everyone. You know who you need to check in with, to move them along toward publishing their pieces of writing.

WRITING PRACTICE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN Here's a great homework project that keeps early writers busy while shopping with a parent. Give the five- or six-year-old a small notebook and a pen when you go to just about any store. While you shop, the child "collects" words. She finds short words on signs and containers, and she copies them into her notebook. When you leave the store, give her a penny for every word she writes, and give her a nickel if she can sound the word out to me. I get time to shop in peace while she concentrates on writing; she gets money she can spend on whatever she wants, and learns to write and read. It’s a win-win for the parent and child.

CALMING THE NERVES OF STUDENTS Middle school students are very nervous about their first day of school. They have a heightened sense and need to feel accepted. Set the tone on the first day of school that your classroom is a place where everyone with all their unique features are accepted. Preview what the students can expect during their first week of school. This will provide the students with the framework of expectations.

BE OPEN TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES One year I had a particularly shy student in my class. He was having a hard time integrating with other students. Privately, I asked him what he liked to do for fun. Aside from reading, he disclosed that he enjoyed playing chess. I too had fond memories of playing chess. So I asked if he’d like to play with me during break time. We did and students watched us play the game. Next, I asked if anyone wanted to learn how to play? I asked the new student to teach them, which he gladly did. Then a light bulb clicked in my head. I began to use the game of chess as a metaphor for life and mentioned chess particularly in math class. Soon the entire class was playing chess. During lunch, we watched a video about a group of inner-city students who learned chess and went on to win a state chess championship. This mild interest grew into a frenzied interest in chess. I invited a chess master to come and play with the students. The class competed in the state chess championships and although they did not win, many seeds were planted. Also, the shy young man gained many friends and was the superstar chess champion of the class.

YOUR NEWEST BEST FRIENDS ARE THE SECRETARY AND CUSTODIAN These two staff members are extremely important and can be of immense assistance as you begin your teaching career and each school year. Each has detailed knowledge of the school, its culture, operating procedures and where things can be found.

WRITING SAMPLE Have students complete a writing sample on the first day of school. Ask your students to write what they would like you to know about them. You can model this by telling your students what you would like them to know about you. This not only gives you some information not found in formal school records (i.e., pets, favorite vacations spots, etc.), but it also serves an indication of their present writing skills. Save this and share it, along with other indications of growth, at the end of the year. when you meet with each student and individually review what then have accomplished during the school year.

BE SPECIFIC WHEN PRAISING STUDENTS When praising one or more students for an action, be specific about the action. Saying, “John, I really liked the way you are helping Meredith pick up the papers she dropped,” or “I like the way Monica and Zach are staying focused on their assignment,” is much better than simply saying “Good job.” By being specific, you are very clearly and purposefully identifying the students acting appropriately and the action you wish others in the class to emulate.

END OF EACH SCHOOL DAY At the end of each day have students summarize what has taken place during the day, what is expected to be returned at the beginning of school tomorrow, and provide a brief overview of what will be accomplished the next school day. Both my wife and I are educators and at dinner we would always ask our three children what they did and learned at school that day. Initially they would answer “Nothing,” but we knew better and would ask leading questions. Preparing students to discuss their day with parents, and preparing them for the upcoming day, is a valuable communication system for it allows students to keep their parents informed of what is taking place in your classroom.

THE DAILY SCHEDULE Let your students know what is going to happen everyday. A great way to do this is to post a daily schedule. When children enter the classroom each morning, they love to run straight to the daily schedule to see what they can expect. Choose a spot in the classroom where the daily schedule is posted and use pictures or words to announce the day’s events. The children will feel like they are partners in the day and it might also be an invaluable reminder for you too. As a bonus, you’ll be amazed at how quickly they all learn to read the word “LUNCH.”

EVERYONE LIKES A LITTLE WARNING It seems like a little thing but it can have huge results. Always give your students a few minutes of warning before you end an activity. If it’s something that they are enjoying, it will be hard for them to stop. A quick announcement like “We will be cleaning up in three more minutes” gives them a chance to bring the fun to a conclusion or to put the last few touches on a work of art. If it’s a challenging activity, many students will want a chance to finish what they have worked so hard on. Some teachers set a timer for the last five minutes at the end of each activity so that everyone gets used to the amount of time they have to finish up.
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