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ACT Central Texas, Fall Institute

2013

Brian O'Hair

7 Things Students Want to Know on the First Day

1.

Am I in the right room? Students will see teacher available to help them as they come to the door. A visible sign will also be available that reflects teache/s name and the class information. Students will know if they are in the correct class because the teacher will review their registration cards. All will be greeted and welcomed.
Where am I supposed to sit? Students will have open seating. As they come into the classroom, they will be greeted and the teacher will ask ihem to sit where they choose. What are the rules in this classroom? Every student will know the rules. Teacher will explain the rules and make sure each student has a hard copy. There will also be a large poster board hung on the wall where it is visible for all students to see. Students and parents will have access to the rules through the teacher's website. Extra copies will be available as new students come in through the school year. What will I be doing this year? Effective teachers manage their classrooms with procedures. The key word to understand is "procedures." Procedures have to do with teaching students what to do in the classroom, such as what to do if the teacher wanls the class's attention, what to do upon entering the classroom, and how to make entries in a journalEffective teachers will spend the first two weeks of school teaching students how to be responsible for their behavior and their learning.

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How will I be graded? The students earn their own grade based on their mastery of the learning criteria. Occasionally a curve may be given depending on assignment or test. Students will understand what is expected for each assignment because there will be a rubric that specifies the criteria.

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Who is the teacher as a person? The teacher may share a little about himself, create and post a collage, or even do a self show and tell for the class.
\rvill the teacher treat me as a human being? Everyone wants to be treated with respect, dignity, and love, whether that person is a teacher, administrator, or student. You have seven seconds to create that perception beginning with

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how you treat yourself with respect, dignity, and love, how you greet your students at the door, how you dress, what signs are posted in your classroom, the message on the chalkboard, the obviousness that you are organized and ready, and that you are in control of the learning environment for the classroom.