The First Days of School

Harry K. Wong & Rosemary T. Wong

Presented by Andrew Rowe

11.131
2/4/10
Introduction
Being a New Teacher is Hard

The beginning teacher is expected to assume

the same tasks and responsibilities as
the most seasoned teacher on the staff.
Being a New Teacher is Hard

The beginning teacher is expected to assume

the same tasks and responsibilities as
the most seasoned teacher on the staff.
You are expected to perform
your fulll complement of duties immediately
while learning them at the same time.
Lucky for us, effective teaching can be learned.
 Lucky for us, effective teaching can be learned.

Being MIT students, learning is something we do well.

 Lucky for us, effective teaching can be learned.

Being MIT students, learning is something we do well.

We all have the ability to be kick-ass teachers.

The Four Stages of
Teaching
 The Four Stages of Teaching

Fantasy Survival Mastery Impact

 The Four Stages of Teaching

Fantasy Survival Mastery Impact

Proficient: possessing knowledge and skill

Effective: to produce results
 The Four Stages of Teaching

Fantasy Survival Mastery Impact

Proficient: possessing knowledge and skill

Effective: to produce results

EFFECTIVE teacher IMPACT lives.

Being an Effective
Teacher
 The Three Characteristics of
an Effective Teacher

1.Has positive expectations for student success

2.Is an extremely good classroom manager
3.Knows how to design lessons for student
mastery
The Two Kinds of Expectations
The Two Kinds of Expectations

Positive or High Expectations

Negative or Low Expectations

The Two Kinds of Expectations

Positive or High Expectations

Negative or Low Expectations

Expectation: knowing what you can or

cannot achieve
 28 Factors

In 1994 a study was done ranking the 28 most

imporant factors governing student learning.
 28 Factors

In 1994 a study was done ranking the 28 most

imporant factors governing student learning.

1. Classroom management
 28 Factors

In 1994 a study was done ranking the 28 most

imporant factors governing student learning.

1. Classroom management
2. Instructional/learning process
 28 Factors

In 1994 a study was done ranking the 28 most

imporant factors governing student learning.

1. Classroom management
2. Instructional/learning process
3. Parental and home support
 28 Factors
In 1994 a study was done ranking the 28 most
imporant factors governing student learning.

1. Classroom management
2. Instructional/learning process
3. Parental and home support
28. District demographics
 The Three Characteristics of
an Effective Teacher

1.Has positive expectations for student success

2.Is an extremely good classroom manager
3.Knows how to design lessons for student
mastery
Preparation
 Preparation

A store does not stock its shelves when it opens for the
day
 Preparation

A store does not stock its shelves when it opens for the
day

A restaurant does not set the tables when the guests

arrive
 Preparation

A store does not stock its shelves when it opens for the
day

A restaurant does not set the tables when the guests

arrive

A coach does not prepare a game plan on game day

 Preparation

A store does not stock its shelves when it opens for the
day

A restaurant does not set the tables when the guests

arrive

A coach does not prepare a game plan on game day

Teachers are professionals and must have the
setting prepared and a script for the school day.
 Preparation

A store does not stock its shelves when it opens for the
day

A restaurant does not set the tables when the guests

arrive

A coach does not prepare a game plan on game day

Teachers are professionals and must have the
setting prepared and a script for the school day.
(If you do not have a plan, you are planning to fail.)
 The First Day

The habits and procedures you establish in the first

week will impact the entire school year.
 The First Day

The habits and procedures you establish in the first

week will impact the entire school year.

Taking time in the first several weeks to establish

procedures and build habits in the classroom will
ensure that classes run smoothly throughout the year
and save hours (even days) worth of instruction time
that would otherwise have been lost.
Procedures
 Procedures

Discipline concerns how students behave.

Procedures concern how things are done.
 Procedures

Discipline concerns how students behave.

Procedures concern how things are done.

A procedure is simply a method or process for getting

things done in the classroom.
 Procedures

Discipline concerns how students behave.

Procedures concern how things are done.

A procedure is simply a method or process for getting

things done in the classroom.

Effective teachers teach students how to responsibly

follow procedures.
What can you have
procedures for?
 What can you have
procedures for?
How to come into the classroom
How to quieting the class
How to hand in work
How to work in groups
How to transition between topics
How to get a pencil
How to take role
How to ask for a restroom break
How to read a textbook
How to take notes
How to ...
How to Teach a Procedure
 How to Teach a Procedure

1.Explain
2.Rehearse
3.Reinforce
1.Remind
2.Reprimand
 The Three Characteristics of
an Effective Teacher

1.Has positive expectations for student success

2.Is an extremely good classroom manager
3.Knows how to design lessons for student
mastery
The Four Steps to Creating an
Effective Assignment
 The Four Steps to Creating an
Effective Assignment

1.Determine what you want the students to

accomplish. (Write objectives)
 The Four Steps to Creating an
Effective Assignment

1.Determine what you want the students to

accomplish. (Write objectives)
2.Write each accomplishment as a single sentence.
 The Four Steps to Creating an
Effective Assignment

1.Determine what you want the students to

accomplish. (Write objectives)
2.Write each accomplishment as a single sentence.
3.Give the students a copy of same sentences.
 The Four Steps to Creating an
Effective Assignment

1.Determine what you want the students to

accomplish. (Write objectives)
2.Write each accomplishment as a single sentence.
3.Give the students a copy of same sentences.
4.Post or send sentences home with the students.
Why create assignments this way?
Why create assignments this way?

The goal of the assignment is not "Chapter 24"

Why create assignments this way?

The goal of the assignment is not "Chapter 24"

Like procedures, letting the student know what is
expected gives the student structure and also
creates a sense of fairness
Why create assignments this way?

The goal of the assignment is not "Chapter 24"

Like procedures, letting the student know what is
expected gives the student structure and also
creates a sense of fairness
Objectives give a purpose to the lesson: students
get more done when they see where they are going
and what they are doing
Writing Objectives
Writing Objectives

Blooms Taxonomy
Writing Objectives

Blooms Taxonomy

(Use Verbs)
 The Three Characteristics of
an Effective Teacher

1.Has positive expectations for student success

2.Is an extremely good classroom manager
3.Knows how to design lessons for student
mastery
 The Three Characteristics of
an Effective Teacher

1.Has positive expectations for student success

2.Is an extremely good classroom manager
3.Knows how to design lessons for student
mastery

Addendum:
4. Is a professional
Being a Professional
 Being a Professional

Neither students nor anyone else will take you

seriously if you are not professional.
 Being a Professional

Neither students nor anyone else will take you

seriously if you are not professional.

Teaching is a profession, treat it as such:

 Being a Professional

Neither students nor anyone else will take you

seriously if you are not professional.

Teaching is a profession, treat it as such:

Dress professionally
 Being a Professional

Neither students nor anyone else will take you

seriously if you are not professional.

Teaching is a profession, treat it as such:

Dress professionally
Take the chance to attend professional development
seminars
 Being a Professional

Neither students nor anyone else will take you

seriously if you are not professional.

Teaching is a profession, treat it as such:

Dress professionally
Take the chance to attend professional development
seminars
Avoid the toxic teachers--don't let them bring you
down!
Summary
 The Three Characteristics of
an Effective Teacher

1.Has positive expectations for student success

2.Is an extremely good classroom manager
3.Knows how to design lessons for student
mastery

Addendum:
4. Is a professional
Closing Thought
Inside every great teacher
there is an even better one
waiting to come out.
 Inside every great teacher
there is an even better one
waiting to come out.

Inside every kick-ass teacher

there is an even more kick-ass teacher
waiting to come out.