The
most important factor in improved student learning is with an effective
teacher. Written ten times a year, Harry and Rosemary Wong
feature effective teachers and administrators and what they do to
enhance student learning. The columns provide specific strategies
and activities that you can download and use. An archive of
past articles can be found at the end of every column.
These
strategies and activities are all based on the teachings and works
of Harry and Rosemary Wong and they are happy to share with the
profession the work of effective teachers. If you have an
effective strategy or technique that works, please share this by
sending it to hwong@harrywong.com.
The Wongs will consider it for sharing in future Effective Teaching
columns.
About Harry and Rosemary
Wong...
Harry
and Rosemary Wong are teachers. Harry is a native of San Francisco
and taught middle school and high school science. Rosemary
is a native of New Orleans and taught K-8, including working as
the school media coordinator and student activity director.
Harry
Wong has been awarded the Outstanding Secondary Teacher Award, the
Science Teacher Achievement Recognition Award, the Outstanding Biology
Teacher Award, and the Valley Forge Teacher's Medal. He was
recently selected as one of the most admired people in the world
of education by readers of Instructor magazine. Rosemary
was chosen as one of California's first mentor teachers and has
been awarded the Silicon Valley Distinguished Woman of the Year
Award.
Harry
Wong is the most sought after speaker in education today.
He has been called "Mr. Practicality" for his common sense,
user-friendly, no-cost approach to managing a classroom for high-level
student success.
Nearly
a million teachers worldwide have heard his message. Because
he is fully booked for two years, he has agreed to and has invited
his wife to join him in doing a monthly column for teachers.net
so that more people can hear their message.
About Their Work...
Harry and Rosemary
Wong are committed to bringing quality and dignity to the materials
they produce. For this, they have formed their own publishing company,
of which Rosemary is the CEO. They have dedicated their lives
to leaving a legacy in education and making a difference in the
lives of teachers and students.
Their latest contribution
to helping teachers succeed is an eLearning course, Classroom
Management with Harry and Rosemary Wong. The
course can be taken in private at the learner's convenience.
The outcome of the course is a 2 inch binder with a personalized
Classroom Management Action Plan.
This Action Plan is
similar to the organized and structured plan used by all successful
teachers. Details for the classroom management course can
be seen at www.ClassroomManagement.com.
The Wongs have written
The First Days of School, the best-selling
book ever in education. Over 3 million copies have been sold.
The third edition
of The First Days of School includes an
added bonus, an Enhanced CD featuring Harry Wong. The Enhanced CD,
Never Cease to Learn, is dedicated to
those teachers who know that the more they learn, the more effective
they become.
The Wongs have also
produced the DVD series, The Effective Teacher,
winner of the Telly Award for the best educational video of the
past twenty years and awarded the 1st place Gold Award in the International
Film and Video Festival.
They have released
a new set of CDs with Harry Wong LIVE, called How
to Improve Student Achievement, recorded at one of
his many presentations. He is the most sought after speaker
in education and his presentations are legendary.
When the book, video
series, CD, and eLearning course are used together, they form the
most effective staff training tool for developing effective teachers.
Staff developers and administrators who would like to know how to
implement the aforementioned book, video series, and CD are encouraged
to consult the book, New Teacher Induction: How to Train,
Support, and Retain New Teachers. Information about
these products can be found by visiting the publisher's website
at www.EffectiveTeaching.com
or www.HarryWong.com.
Best Sellers
The First Days of School with Enhanced CD, Never
Cease to Learn
by Harry & Rosemary Wong
$23.96 from Amazon.com More
information
The Effective Teacher (Video Set)
Presented by Harry Wong
8 DVDs, with Facilitator's
Handbook in PDF, book The First Days of
School, and storage case, $695.00 from EffectiveTeaching.com
(volume discounts available) More
information
Classroom
Management with Harry and Rosemary Wong
eLearning course
for individual use, CEUs available Preview the course and order
at www.ClassroomManagement.com
$124.95 (Group discounts available.)
How to Improve Student Achievement
Hear Harry Wong Live! in this 2 CD set
$31.95 More
information
New Teacher Induction: How to Train, Support, and Retain
New Teachers
by Annette L. Breaux, Harry K. Wong
Schools That Learn: A Fifth Discipline Fieldbook for Educators,
Parents, and Everyone Who Cares About Education
by Peter M. Senge (Editor), Nelda H. Cambron McCabe, Timothy Lucas,
Art Kleiner, Janis Dutton, Bryan Smith
A. Note from the Instructor
As an instructor, I pride myself on an efficient and smooth running classroom. To achieve this I have established a few simple procedures. As a student, it is your responsibility to learn and perform these procedures. Through these procedures, I promise to you a more organized and effective learning experience.
B. Most Common Procedures
Entering the Classroom
You are to enter the classroom without screaming, running or otherwise causing a ruckus. Students who do not do this will be asked to leave the room and reenter as expected. It is expected that as soon as you enter you first go to the center table and pickup any handouts or hand in homework in the appropriate tray. You should then get anything you need around the room (grade check, pencil sharpening, tissue, etc.). Once seated, check the front screen for the day's bellwork. You should also check the side chalkboard for the day's assignment (write it down so you don't forget). You can also use this time to briefly speak with me or make an appointment to make-up a test or get extra help.
Bellwork
Everyday will begin with bellwork. You will find the bellwork on the front screen. Bellwork should be started before the bell rings. Most bellwork will involve specific instructions for preparing for a daily quiz. Other times the bellwork may be to answer a question or fill out a form. Bellwork is required.
Picking up Materials for Day
Any handouts that you will need on a given day will be found in the tray, on the middle table marked "Please Take One". If the tray or sign isn't there, you don't need to pick up anything, just begin the day's bellwork. If you arrive late and picking up the handouts will cause a distraction, sign-in, go to your seat, and raise your hand when it is appropriate to do so.
Handing In Homework
If there is an assignment that you need to hand in, place it in the tray, on the middle table, marked "Please Deposit Homework Here". If the tray or sign isn't there, keep the assignment and begin the day's bellwork. If you arrive late and handing in the homework will cause a distraction, sign-in, go to your seat, and raise your hand when it is appropriate to do so.
Coming to Attention
When I need to quiet the class, I will raise my hand. When you see this you are expected to stop your conversation, look at me, and raise your hand. This is only complete when all hands are up and the class is quiet.
Arriving Late
When you enter the room late (with or without a pass) you need not disturb the class. Simply sign your name and the appropriate information on the clipboard by the door. Print clearly and sign only your name. Signing a name other that your own will result in immediate referral to the dean's office. If you have a pass, pin it to the wall above the clipboard. If you must speak with me, sign-in, go to your seat, and raise your hand when it is appropriate to do so.
Leaving the Classroom
The bell does not dismiss the class, I do. Do not pack up until I dismiss the class. Do not leave your seats until I dismiss the class. "People who pack fast shall leave last."
Absences
On the day you return from an absence you should arrive early to class. The first thing to do is check the Class Log on the student center. The log will likely answer any questions regarding "what we did" when you were gone. If there are any questions beyond the log, speak with me before class begins, after class, or during office hours.
Extra Handouts
If you need a handout, because you were absent or just lost your first one, go to the appropriate "extras box" on the bottom shelf, next to the student center. Do not ask me for handouts, go straight to the box.
Make-Up Tests
If you are absent for a test day (not the day before a test) you will have to arrange for a make-up test. Make-up tests are done on Fridays in the morning or afternoon. You will sign-up for the test and receive a green reminder slip. Make these appointments before class begins, after class, or during office hours.
Detentions
As indicated in the Class Policies, you will receive one warning if you choose to behave inappropriately and have your name put on the board. If you continue to choose to behave inappropriately, you will have a check placed next to your name and I will remind you to see me right after class. There will be no conversation or debate regarding detentions. When class is dismissed, you will see me, sign-up for the detention, and receive a pink reminder slip. Failure to speak with me after class will result in immediate dean's referral.
Using the Bathroom
The bathroom may only be used in emergencies. A pass is needed for leaving the class. Do not ask to use the washroom or go to your locker before class begins; just go before you get to class. Anyone late for any reason is late.
Procedures may be changed or added by the instructor. All procedures will be thoroughly rehearsed as a class.
Effective
Teaching... 
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