1st few days

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1st few days
By Dawn

Hi Trish,

I think that for middle schoolers, Wong's theory should be modified. I teach 6th grade science. My blocks are only 40 minutes. I spend about half the first day on rules & procedures. Then I give them a "scavenger
hunt" to complete in the classroom. It requires them to observe and infer from things that are on display. (For instance, what college I went to, how many children I have, etc.--there are pictures and a college banner on the wall. Not all the questions are about me.)
On the second day, we talk about what we'll study, the grading policy and my expectations for homework and what

they can expect in the way of assignments. Then we segue right into the scavenger hunt of the day before--talk about observation skills and inference; and we are into science! From the 3rd day on, I am teaching. We go right into the safety rules for science labs.

I agree with the previous posts about involving the kids, but it needs to be purposeful--not just wasting time fun. I also use the skit idea--I have groups of 3 silently act out what might happen if they broke a lab safety rule, and the class has to guess the rule.

Finally, back to Wong--I think that every day, for that first week or 2, even though you have begun teaching, you need to spend a few minutes reinforcing the rules and procedures. Perhaps as reminders at the beginning of the period, or as "teachable moments" come up to remind them of what is allowed and what is not. And yes, definitely overplan your teaching for the first few weeks. You don't want them to have free chat time this early--it will set a bad precedent for them.

I'm sure you'll be fine. Remember you are a benign dictator. Show them that you are always in charge, but that you care about them. This has always worked for me.