What is a trick in the classroom you wish you had learned a lot earlier?

What is a trick or practice that could have made your first years run a lot smoother regarding classroom management, grading or whatever?

 

Threaten write ups sooner rather than later.

 

My trick is to keep some cash (like $25 in various bills) hidden in my desk the now-and-then donations we get asked to contribute. When I first started, I never had cash on me the day they wanted money for a card, flowers, or whatever, so I had to make a trip to an ATM.

 

Walk around with a clipboard and grade assignments in notebooks as students are doing them with a simple 1-4 grading scale.

 

Instead of asking a student for compliance to the rules, simply stating the rule and walking away with a smile and thank you. This shows the student that I expect correction to the behavior AND that I respect the student enough to trust them to follow through without my standing over them. It has a much higher return than anything else I've done in the past.

 

Not a trick or practice but a realization that 90% of discipline problems were a direct result of something I did or didn’t do. Once I got off the train of blaming, making excuses and rationalizing things started to improve. I finally saw the enemy. It was me.

 

Don't threaten the write up - simply write them up. They know what it is for.

 

I was reminded of it on another post. Don't take things personally.

 

This is exactly what I do at the high school level, haha! It works wonders!

 

Just say No! to Giovanna wanting to show Gianna how to get to the nurse's office, ie - get out of class.

 

When admin starts yapping about everyone needing to be on the same page, don't get in a big huff over it. Shut your door and teach what your kids need. I think so long as you are making a real effort, and can explain things, it's not a big deal.

 

Worst advice possible. This idea of “I know better than anyone” is why so many initiatives fail and get replaced by others. Teachers are part of a whole, not an island.

 

Once you've taught the same thing long enough, you know what works and what doesn't if you have taken the time to learn which I think most teachers do. I have learned new programs and use what works from them, but do not follow just 1. Not all kids or classes learn the same way.
I think young teachers should be exposed to several proven styles and methods. Then let them pick what works for them. Let them tweak the program when they see it is needed. If their kids consistently do well, they do not need to be told to learn a whole new program and follow it w/ fidelity every so many yrs . ( I hate the word fidelity.) I experienced the use of that word for a short period of time. Even if it doesn't work, some people want you to follow a script w/ fidelity. I know it sounded like , " Blah, blah, blah" to most kids.
I agree w/ you 100% to shut your door and teach if needed.

 

I wish I'd read "The First Days of School" by Harry and Rosemary Wong the first year it was available (and I wish they'd written in when I started teaching a long time ago!)