Advice to the First Year Teachers

You will make it!  It really isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. In my opinion, building a sense of community within the classroom was the best thing I have done throughout the year. Students know that I care about them along with the rest of the class. It has REALLY helped me out. Also, know your philosophy and stick to it no matter what anyone else is doing. I see teachers doing things completely different from me all the time. Yes, I question what I'm doing at times... But it's what works best for me and for my students. Don't try and be a teacher whom you're not. Dare to be different! :)

No More Recess For You!!

Unlike most classrooms in my school, I have decided again a behavior chart. I hate the fact that most are on display, forcing the students to dwell on their behaviors. Also, I feel that students begin to act in a way to receive the reward or dodge the punishment. This isn't really doing much in my opinion. What happens the next year when the students aren't rewarded/punished with the same reward or consequence?  Sounds messy to me. 

My biggest pet peeve?  When teachers take away recess for ANY behavior. You didn't complete your homework? No recess!!  You spoke out during class?  No recess!!  Kids need recess!  There are so many other ways to work on classroom management. If a student is talking, stand next to them, look at them, etc.  If a more serious problem arises, I feel that it should be talked about as a whole. Your classroom is a community and the whole community needs to know what's acceptable/unacceptable. For example, a student rips up a book and doesn't tell anyone. Instead of pointing fingers and taking away recess from one student, talk about it during class so that everyone knows not to do this. As teachers, things may seem very obvious to us... But as students, they don't always know what is expected.