first day

[kaylan]

Hello,

I start teaching 3rd grade in a few weeks. I am looking forward to meeting my new students of course. However, I just wanted to know could anyone give me "bonding" ideas. I have some of my own, but I would like to hear from other teachers. This is my first teaching job. Also, at what point do I discuss classroom rules on the first day of school. Do I mention it right after the bonding session?

My last question is can you suggest rewards, motivators, incentives (other than stickers) for good behavior and good work.

Thank you for all of your help,

glb

[cctcristobal]

I haven't really tried teaching yet so I'm giving an advice as a student.

I think it would be best to introduce yourself first and allow the children to get to know you a bit
After that you can give your rules and continue on with bonding with your students.
make the rules seem fun instead of something they have to strictly follow.

I hope I was able to help :)

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I haven't really tried teaching yet so I'm giving an advice as a student.

I think it would be best to introduce yourself first and allow the children to get to know you a bit
After that you can give your rules and continue on with bonding with your students.
make the rules seem fun instead of something they have to strictly follow.

I hope I was able to help :)

make sure they have fun, huh? :rolleyes:

Now, instead of advice from a college kid who hasn't tested their theories (and when they do, will fall flat on their face), try something that vet teachers suggest

Don't smile until Christmas. You aren't there to be their friend, you aren't there to play games, you are there to educate and manage classroom discipline.

Put them in a seating chart FIRST thing
Go over rules
enforce rules evenly and do it everytime

It's always easier to 'let up' on them as the year goes on rather than to try and regain control of a class after you lost control

[Unregistered]

You're an idiot, advice from an education major. I've been teaching ten years and if I had your attitude - I hope someone would convince me to seek another career field. Brain research indicates that even adults cannot sit for 45 minutes straight without movement or a change in thinking patterns. Don't smile until Christmas? Yeah, that's a sure way to show you care whether students learn or not. I've taught fourth grade, sixth grade, adult learners, and kindergarten. To get respect - you show respect, even while creating a structured environment. You seem to want control - kind of like lab rats. I hope a student I care about never has the misfortune to have a burned out, rude and intolerable know it all like you. You're the kind of teacher our system is trying to get rid of.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

good thing I'm tenured then, huh? I don't have to worry about some progressive minded teacher from trying to convince others that I don't need a job because they are threatened by my bluntness.

whether or not i respect my boss in the work world, doesn't change the fact I have a job to do.
whether or not a kid respects my class or me, doesn't change the fact that if they want to pass, they do it my way.

problem is, you guys think you can/should get all kids to like/respect you. That's not possible

[Unregistered]

make sure they have fun, huh? :rolleyes:

Now, instead of advice from a college kid who hasn't tested their theories (and when they do, will fall flat on their face), try something that vet teachers suggest

Don't smile until Christmas. You aren't there to be their friend, you aren't there to play games, you are there to educate and manage classroom discipline.

Put them in a seating chart FIRST thing
Go over rules
enforce rules evenly and do it everytime

It's always easier to 'let up' on them as the year goes on rather than to try and regain control of a class after you lost control


Why are your posts always so condescending? Give people some credit...good grief! I'm glad my children aren't SITTING in your classroom.

[Dragon]

Traditional methods have never work efficiently so... could we focus on being proactive instead of empty headed as the chocolate from nowhere land?

Kaylan, a good rapport starts with respect but as you are working with young learners it should be fun, pay close attention on what are they interested and how they learn most important, as well try to encourage them with the incentives you can afford and with the measure that it wont be a condition for them to participate otherwise it could give you the wrong expected answer you are looking for.

Good attitude is in my opinion 90%, the knowledge will have the other 10%, because if you approach to them like the guy of nowhere land... Im deeply sorry and disappointed of that kind of trash supposing his better than anyone that is the wrong attitude to everything in life.

Discipline starts with easy and understood simple rules, easy to say... I know, but you will go in a better path if you are patient and study human facts, not even adults can be in a seat for so long without distracting themselves, so the themes must be interesting and suitable for their age. The student profile will help you a lot!

take care and good luck!

[shubh]

Kids can't be forced to follow the rules and regulation just from the day one, but it is we the teachers who need to develop this habit in friendly way. Kids shouldn’t feel a distance between them and teachers, only then we can communicate with them effectively.

[Unregistered]

I've been teaching for ten years. I've taught high school language arts and special ed for all grade levels. I've had lots of advice over the years and tried many different things to maintain order and create an environment of learning. The thing I've found to be most successful is to make sure my students know that I mean what I say. I don't make promises, or threats, that I can't live up to. If it's wrong today, it's still wrong next week. My only classroom rule is respect. I make sure we talk about what it means to respect someone. I even use the dictionary. If we're respecting each other, no one talks out of turn. No one takes something that doesn't belong to him/her and no one is rude to me or the other students. They understand that rude behavior has consequences. I rarely have to enforce a consequence....but I am teaching elementary school students. They're a little more pliable.

I don't know about not smiling until Christmas. I've heard that for most of my career and understand the idea. It is important that the students know you aren't there JUST to play, but I do believe that students of all ages need for learning to be enjoyable.

We, as teachers, need to be a community of learners. It doesn't help anyone of us to name call or insult.

[Unregistered]

I have been working for education for 30 years. I've taught every levels with different fields including technology. First, make yourself comfortable and try to get close to your students and softly ask them what do they like the best in school. Do they like the school regulations, school activities, school schedules, bus schedules, climate in the classroom, school campuses or play ground, or even our teachers, librarians or our school principal. You can also ask them what do they like to learn alot or the subjects they like the best in school. This way students can close to you or trusting you in any kind. This concepts is one of the best profiles for students relationship with teachers and improve them to honor and respect their parents. This applies to every students. Remember the act says: "No Child left Behind"

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

well, I say, when a kid calls my name (for a question) I respond "yes sir/ma'am"

they get that respect. that's it. The course curriculum is not up to them to decide. I don't care if they don't want to learn about world geography. I didn't either in 7th grade, but I wasn't given a choice.

Sorry, I refuse to burp 7th graders and ask them if they feel like working today.

I remind them everyday, they each have a choice. Work and pass, don't work and fail. I don't inflate grades and the only way to fail my class for the year is to be lazy.

So far, the only kids to ever fail my class are the one who won't work. Their choice, their grade, their consequence

Respect me, like me, or not, does not change the expectations.

I have some kids buy into the system and love my class, and I have some fight it the entire way. Ultimately, they have a choice to make, do it my way, or sit through my class again next year and do it all over again. (in my district, if they fail 1 class, they pass to 8th grade but have to retake the class they failed instead of an elective)

[Unregistered]

I teach in a very small school and we have one teacher who follows the "Don't smile til Christmas" rule. No one likes her--students or staff. In this day and age, these kids need us to be there for them. They need to know that there is at least one person out there who cares about them. There is a way to set up rules and enforce them, but still be a caring person. Build good relationships with your students. Let them know you are there for them. But stick to your guns on your rules and don't waiver. They will learn that they have to follow your rules, but that doesn't mean that you don't like them. AND you can smile:)