Of the many items on your first-day-of-school checklist, three promises should go at the very top. Because, together, they have the power to set a tone of kindness and good behavior that lasts for the entire school year. They also make you instantly likeable … Read more
In the past, I’ve written about the importance of ensuring a happy first day of school experience for your students. There are many reasons for this, but the biggest is that it gives you leverage. You see, when students like being in your classroom, … Read more
There exists a strategy that, if taught on the first day of school, can have a profound effect on the rest of the year. It takes little if any preparation time. It’s simple in its directness and also fun and participatory. But it will … Read more
Building rapport is one of an umbrella of strategies whose goal is to create a classroom your students love being part of. And why is that important? Because when your students look forward to your class, everything is easier. From behavior to attentiveness to … Read more
Of the many goals you have on the first day of school, none compares in importance to setting the proper tone for your students. It is the initial impression of your classroom, after all, that establishes its culture. It’s the feeling, the pace, the … Read more
The first day of school is about setting the tone. It’s about focusing on the first wee little steps leading to the most memorable school year your students have ever had. There is no room for weak first impressions, no room for indecisiveness, and … Read more
You’ve likely heard the oft-repeated recommendation that teachers should never smile the first three months of the school year. The idea being that if you show kindness toward your students, they’ll see it as a weakness and take advantage of you. Hogwash. Although it’s … Read more
There is a common mistake teachers make on the first day of school that sets in motion bad student habits and misbehaviors that can last the rest of the school year. That’s a big statement, I know. But this one particular mistake will be … Read more