Harry Wong

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2001 : August : 4

Harry Wong
By Beth S

Marcy- I agree with the first response... Dr. Harry Wong's "The First Days of School" is a must read!!! It is easy to read & it is not too late-- go get it. The first day of school is about introducing yourself to your students
(he even suggests how to do this!) & beginning to establish your procedures. Your procedures should be in place the FIRST MINUTE the FIRST STUDENT walks into your room. Don't be afraid! If a student walks into your classroom loudly, bumping into others, and walking over to sit on his buddy's desk to talk instead of doing whatever your procedures require, then you walk over with a

quiet & sincere smile and say, "Hi! My name is Miss ----. What's your name? Well, -----, I am so glad you are going to be in my class this year! I noticed the way you entered the room, so please allow me to explain my "morning procedures." In my classroom, the procedure is to enter the room quietly, find your desk, sit down, square away your materials, and then look at the board for the 'warm up' assignment. I noticed that when you entered, you were a bit loud, bumped into others, and did not find your desk. This is a great opportunity to practice our procedures. Will you please return to the door and enter the room following the procedures I just explained to you? (repeat them if necessary)" After he/she complies, smile and say, "Thank you ----! Excellent!" All of this can be done nicely & sincerely, with a smile, maintaining the student's dignity and still getting your point across. A great thing to do is have those "beginning class" procedures written on large chart paper or a poster & have it standing on a tripod for all to see as they enter the room. Be there at the doorway to welcome them & then sweetly point them towards the procedures. "Hi! I'm Miss ----... and you are? Welcome ----! Please follow the procedures written on the chart paper. If you have any questions, please come back & see me." Dr. Wong's advice is to HAVE PROCEDURES for everything- entering the room, passing in papers, going to restroom/media center, writing assignments at end of period, etc etc. Your beginning class procedures include having students begin a warm-up assignment (also called a "sponge" assignment- this is a MUST- it will save your life time & time again!), then your first day of school warm-up assignment could be a student survey that they complete about themselves... name, address, birthday, family, favorites, but also combined with a "reading/writing survey" asking for their opinions and ideas about language arts related things (How often do you read? What types of literature do you prefer to read? Tell me about the best book you've ever read. How often do you write? How do you feel about writing? etc etc) Everyone can be working on this as others enter the room. When you're fairly sure all are present, then ask them to come to a stopping point & begin by introducing yourself & going over all of the "first day" stuff you may be required to (schedules, textbooks, etc) Be sure to ask your fellow 5th grade teachers how they do the first day in your school- take advantage of the years of experience around you! HAVE A PLAN, no matter what... write it down & follow it. If you show your students that you are an organized, firm, smart, and friendly teacher from day one, you will set the climate for the rest of the school year to be smooth, enjoyable, and productive. 5th graders are wonderful! I've been teaching for 8 years, the last 3 of which have been in 5th grade. They are old enough to know how to tie their shoes, line up, and raise their hand to speak... but they are still young enough to want to please you & aren't "too cool" to do the fun stuff (like my 7th/8th graders were!). You will LOVE 5th grade! Be yourself and let them see that you are excited... tell them about some of the plans you have for making language arts a class they will love coming to. I wish you the best!! Happy first days of school!
Beth Smith