| Although there are different schools of thought on the | | | | exact outline of what is expected from them, and |
| subject, teaching can be arguably one of the most | | | | letting them know the rules the first day of school is |
| rewarding, yet most challenging, careers out there. If | | | | ideal. In addition to giving your students a handout of |
| you are an educator, keeping your career in | | | | your classroom rules, be sure to post them |
| perspective can be difficult, as can infusing your | | | | conspicuously in the classroom, and invite the students |
| students with the desire to learn. The tips that follow | | | | to discuss any rules that they don't understand. Keep |
| can help you get the school year off to a great start, | | | | your rules simple and understandable, and make sure |
| or help you make the most of what is left of this | | | | that the rules are age appropriate. Remember, you're |
| academic year. | | | | not writing a conduct guide for the FBI, just for your |
| Great School Year Tip #1 Be Flexible, But Be | | | | sixth grade (or first grade, or third grade, and so on) |
| Prepared | | | | classroom. |
| The most highly effective teachers prepare their | | | | Great School Year Tip #4 Be Prepared for Bad |
| lesson plans well in advance, they know their subjects | | | | Apples |
| well and have the supplies that they need to teach on | | | | It would make every educator's job easier if there |
| hand and ready. But these teachers are also flexible, | | | | were no 'bad apples' in the bunch, but that is seldom |
| and they do not sacrifice true learning for a time line of | | | | the case. Plan on having a few disciplinary problems |
| when the learning will take place. You can improve | | | | within the classroom, and have a plan in place on how |
| your student's comprehension of the material that you | | | | to deal with disciplinary issues as they arise. Make sure |
| are presenting by not worrying so much about staying | | | | that your students know how you will deal with bad |
| on schedule. Having students that are genuinely | | | | behavior or other problems. Some of your actions will, |
| enthralled in looking at a topic in a more in-depth | | | | of course, be dictated by protocol that is established |
| manner can be a great motivator for you as an | | | | by your school, but the tactics that you use in your |
| educator, and taking the time to offer extra help when | | | | classroom before a problem gets out of hand should |
| students need it is important. So think of your lesson | | | | be well-known upfront to the students. |
| plans as more of a guideline than a strict schedule that | | | | Great School Year Tip #5 Be Enthusiastic |
| must be adhered to at all costs. | | | | Remember the show "The Wonder Years"? The |
| Great School Year Tip #2 Be Kind | | | | science teacher in that series talked in a monotone |
| Being kind and warm is important, especially when | | | | voice that would almost put his students to sleep |
| working with younger children. A nurturing teacher is | | | | before his eyes. Teachers find that being enthusiastic |
| usually a well-loved and respected one, so always | | | | about the material being presented is often the easiest |
| temper your behavior with the mental and emotional | | | | route to engaging their students in the subject. Even |
| maturity of your students in mind. Smiling and making | | | | for topics that you personally find a total bore, find a |
| eye contact are a great way to start the day off right, | | | | fun angle that induces excitement and you'll see your |
| even when you feel like an old grump. | | | | students jump on the bandwagon with you. This is sort |
| Great School Year Tip #3 Stick to the Rules | | | | of akin to making lemonade when life gives you |
| Kids need structure, tempered with kindness. For this | | | | lemons. A happy, enthusiastic presentation is more |
| reason, it is ultimately necessary for you to establish | | | | memorable to your students than a ho-hum, basic |
| your own set of classroom rules for your students | | | | lecture on the material. |
| and to stick to them consistently. Rules give kids an | | | | |