Streamline Your Classroom Management with Six Simple Class Rules

Now that most of us are getting geared up for a new school year, it's time to think about what classroom rules need to be established. Maybe the ones you had last year just didn’t work, and you are looking for a change. I could recommend many "Do this or this will happen" or "Please don't do this as it will break my heart" statements, but lists can become very long and mind-numbing. Maybe that is why God only gave Ten Commandments. Fewer rules mean less has to be memorized. So, maybe we need to ask ourselves: “How many classroom rules are really needed?” 

I would suggest making a few general rules that are clear and understandable since being too specific often leads to complicated, wordy rules that might cover every possible situation. Most of the time, I post six simple classroom rules (only two words each) in my room which encompass my main areas of concern. I find them to be more than sufficient to govern general behaviors, and because alliteration is used, the rules are easy for all of my students to remember.

1.  Be Prompt – In other words, be on time to school/class/group.

2.  Be Prepared – Bring the items you need to class or to a group. Study for upcoming tests. Have your homework completed and ready to turn in. 

3.  Be Polite – This rule focuses on how we treat each other. Show respect for your teacher(s) and your fellow students in the classroom, in the school, and on the playground.

4.  Be Persistent - The final rule spotlights the need to stay on task and complete an assignment even though it might be difficult. 

5. Be Productive - Always put forth your best effort! Grades are achieved; not received; so, do your best at all times.

6. Be Positive – Bad days happen! If you are having one of those days, I do understand. Please just inform me before class that you are having a bad day, and I will try to leave you alone during class discussion. This is not to be abused.

I firmly believe that class rules must cover general behaviors, be clear as well as understandable. Being too specific often leads to complicated, wordy rules that might cover every possible situation, but are impossible to remember.  (A good example are the IRS tax rules which I still have difficulty comprehending). 

Here are a few things to consider when communicating your classroom rules.

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• Establish clear expectations for behavior from day one.
• Use techniques such as interactive modeling to teach positive behavior.
• Reinforce positive behavior with supportive teacher language.
• Quickly stop misbehavior.
• Restore positive behavior so that children retain their dignity and continue learning.

If you are interested in using these six rules in your classroom, check them out on Teachers Pay Teachers. Each two word rule is written as a one page chart, and is ready to download and laminate to hang in your classroom.

Who Needs Math Study Skills? Everyone!

This semester, I am teaching a new class called Math Study Skills.  We are finding that many of our students who do not qualify for college algebra in reality do not know how to study math.  When you think about it, math is different than other subjects in that it continues to build.  You might do well on the test over Chapter #1, not so hot on Chapter #2, but for sure, you will not succeed on the test over chapter #3.  I am putting together lots of supplemental materials for the class which I hope to share with you on this blog. 

In our next class I am going to ask the students to determine if the following statements about math are true or false.  See what you think.

1. In math, there is only one way to get the answer.
2. To be good at math, you have to be good at calculating.
3. If you are good at math, you skip steps and do all of the work in your head.
4. Men are much better at math than women.
5. There is a "best" way to complete a math problem.
6. You have to have a mathematical mind to understand math.

Believe it or not, all of these are false statements! I think my students will be surprised as well. But of course the best study skill I can give them is depicted in the cartoon!

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Math Profile Sheet

Are you interested in a Math Profile Sheet that will help you to measure the mathematical success of your students?  Check it out by clicking under the resource cover above.

Daily Classroom Irritations that Drive a Teacher Crazy

Have you ever noticed that the same old problems keep resurfacing year after year in your classroom? Isn’t it funny how the little things sometime put us over the edge? I can always deal with that “special” child, but the continuous line at my desk about drives me crazy. Here are two different classroom irritations which I find to be the most annoying plus some possible solutions to think about before school starts.

A. Getting a Drink; Using the Restroom

1)  Set the number of times each student may go per the week.

2)  Have a restroom pass so only one student is out of the classroom at a time.

3)  Count when the children are getting a drink at the drinking fountain such as 1-2-3.  This way everyone is given the same amount to time.
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4)  Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer by the door so children may use it before lunch to clean their hands. (Unfortunately, not all children wash their hands after using the restroom.)

B. The Pencil Sharpener

   1)   Have a box of pre-sharpened pencils that all the children may use.

   2)   Make a designated time when students may sharpen pencils. If you  have an electric pencil sharpener, unplug it during the off limits time.

   3)   Designate an individual to be the “pencil sharpener.” This can be a daily job in your classroom. This person performs the task of sharpening pencils before school, after school, or during any other designated time.

4)   Have two cups of pencils near the pencil sharpener, one for dull pencils and one for sharpened pencils. When a child’s pencil is dull, s/he places it in the dull cup and takes one from the sharp cup.

Do you want additional ideas on how to solve common classroom irritations plus more ideas for the ones mentioned above? Check out the complete resource that fully discusses:

                         1)  Children Who Are Always at Your Desk

                         2)  The Pencil Sharpener

                         3)  Getting a Drink; Using the Restroom

                         4)  Tattling

                         5)  Stress – Especially at Test Time

                         6)  Teasing

                         7)  Unmotivated Students

Beginning of the School Year Survival Guide for Teachers

The beginning of a new academic year is a chance for teachers to start a successful and enjoyable journey with their students. From arranging the classroom to planning lessons and routines, many small steps can make a big difference. For new teachers, this time can feel both exciting and a little challenging. A well laid out plan helps you stay organized, reduce stress, and focus on building strong relationships and positive learning habits from day one. But where do you start? This Survival Guide shares some practical ideas to help teachers start the year with confidence.

The Survival Guide includes:

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• Beginning of the School Year Checklist for Teachers
• Three Lesson Plan Templates that are EDITABLE.
• Six Classroom Management Rules – That’s All You Need!
• The Seven Greatest Irritations for Teachers with Possible Solutions.

The Beginning of the School Year Checklist is a four page comprehensive checklist that walks you through 88 items which ought to be established before the first day of school; these items are categorized by standard operating procedures (i.e. beginning class, interruptions, etc.) and rules as well as accountability (i.e. technology, academic feedback, etc.). Three check-off columns are provided: “Yes”, “No, but Should Have”, and “Not Required”. As you review your list of rules, procedures, and routines, check the column that pertains to your classroom. The results will determine if you have forgotten anything.

The second resource includes three EDITABLE lesson plan templates; one is a generic; whereas, the other two are specifically designed for mathematics (elementary or secondary) and reading/language arts. Checklists are featured on all three plans. Examples are: Bloom’s Taxonomy, multiple intelligences, lesson types, and cooperative learning structures. Hence there is little writing for you to do. On the mathematics lesson plan, the general math objectives are already in a checklist form. However, on the generic and reading plans, space is provided for you to write in the objectives of what you are teaching.

A classroom list of rules and/or expectations can become lengthy and tedious; the longer the list, the harder it is for students to commit the rules to memory. This resource lists six clear and understandable classroom management rules which are brief (only two words each), specific and uncomplicated. They encompass the main areas of concern and are more than sufficient to govern general behaviors in any classroom. Because alliteration is used, the rules are easy for all students to remember.

The Seven Greatest Irritations is a short, four page resource that offers a number of practical ideas about classroom management and how to eliminate those day-after-day aggravating and annoying problems that keep resurfacing in your classroom. It is perfect for novice teachers, beginning teachers or for student teachers. It is also a good review for those who have been teaching for a number of years. The seven problems discussed are:

1. Children Who Are Always at Your Desk
   
2. The Pencil Sharpener
3. Getting a Drink; Using the Restroom
4. Tattling
5. Stress – Especially at Test Time
6. Teasing
7. Unmotivated Students

By purchasing this bundle of four items, you save about 20%. Not interested in the bundle? Each item may also be purchased individually by clicking on the title of the resource.

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