"7 Things Students Want To Know On The First Day Of School"
According to Harry Wong, "there are seven things students want to know on the first day of school that we as teachers must be able to answer" (Hansen,2009). Followed below are those specified questions along with how I would answer them.
1. Am I in the right room?
The first day of school can sometimes be very chaotic, intimidating, and confusing for many students as they try to find the right class, make it to class on time, and all the while feeling anxious, nervous and uncertain. For some students, the first day of school is terrifying: A new teacher, a new classroom, new friends to make. It can be overwhelming. I can help instill a sense of calm in the classroom and help alleviate students’ anxiety and nervousness by greeting them as I stand outside the classroom door with a warm smile and a friendly handshake. In order to help students be aware of whether or not they are in the right room, I intend to utilize a prominently displayed sign on the classroom door and on the whiteboard in class with the following: My name, classroom number, and subject(s) taught. In addition, I will let them know that I am happy to answer any questions and/or address any concerns they may have.
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2. Where am I supposed to sit?
This too can cause anxiety with many students. Many of them may quietly wonder: Do I sit by my friends? Do I sit in the back? Do I sit in the front? To assist students with this dilemma, I intend to assign seats for the students, with desks arranged in groupings of four. This will help foster heterogeneous cooperative learning groups and make transitions into group work faster.
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3. What are the rules in the classroom?
The establishment and practice of classroom rules are essential to maintaining a learning environment that is organized, structured and focused on student learning. In order to help facilitate classroom structure and order, I intend to initiate the following: On each students assigned desk there will be a copy of my classroom syllabus. Included within the syllabus will be a clearly written list of classroom rules along with consequences if said rules are not followed. I will include consequences for first, second and third offences. I will also make suggestions for both students and parents on how they can assist in making the learning experience a positive one. Students will be required to have their parents review the syllabus and the list of classroom rules with them. Parents will be required to sign the document and return it to me no later than the first week of school. This will acknowledge that students and parents have read and are aware of the rules and the consequences involved for breaking classroom policies. We will spend a portion of the first day in reviewing the syllabus and discussing any questions or concerns students might have. Furthermore, there will be a large copy of classroom rules and consequences for breaking rules prominently posted on the classroom wall as well.
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4. What will I be doing this year?
More so than on any other day, students on the first day of school are eager to find out what they are going to be working on during the academic year and then jump right in. However, before they can begin, they must be shown the proper classroom protocol. In going over the syllabus, we will touch upon three important things: the beginning of class procedures, the end of class procedures, and the expected outcomes of this class. When discussing expected outcomes for the year, students will be introduced to our classroom goals for the year, and we will discuss how we will measure our progress throughout the year to help keep us on track.
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5. How will I be graded?
This is a very important question for students and most students will want to know what they need to do in order to earn good grades. In order to create clarity for students, I will address the grading policy in our class when I review the syllabus. I will stress the importance of understanding how grades are determined. In our classroom, when an assignment is given, there will be a rubric attached to it as well. This way the students have a clear understanding of all the requirements needed to achieve the letter grade of an "A, B, C, D etc."
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6. Who is the teacher as a person?
It is probable that by the time students have reached my class (8th Grade English Language Arts) they will have heard either rumors about me and my classroom or know a friend and/or sibling that has talked about me. In order to set the record straight, there will be a a small section of a bulletin board that will serve as a personal bulletin board. This board will be a collage of personal items about me, such as pictures and objects about my life, work, and family. Also in this section will be a list of currently: Playing, Reading, Writing, Watching and Listening to. This way the students can get a growing understanding of their teacher.
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7. Will 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. I seek to treat all students with respect, dignity and love. I also intend to remind my students of one simple fact: Everyday Is A Brand New Day. And as such, regardless of what happened yesterday or five minutes ago, they will always be treated with respect and dignity. They will always be greeted with a smile. Every student will feel welcome and safe within my classroom because I wouldn't have it any other way.
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Hansen, Joan M. "Joan M. Hansen's Teach & Talk." Web log post. Joan M Hansens Teach Talk. N.p., 21 Aug. 2009. Web. 18 July 2013.