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Middle School Teachers Chatboard

just hired

by chris

Mar 27, 2013

I have just been hired as a 6th grade teacher. This is my first classroom so I am a first year teacher. The class has had several teachers already this year. My last assignment was a long term sub for first grade. I need ideas on how to start from day one. What do you recommend for rewards? Any advice for this struggling teacher and class would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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Start out w/procedures & structure.Really, read Wong's book On 3/27/13, chris wrote: > I have just been hired as a 6th grade teacher. This is my > first classroom so I am a first year teacher. The class has > had several teachers already this year. My last assignment > was a long term sub for first grade. I need ideas on how to > start from day one. What do you recommend for rewards? Any >...See More

Mar 27, 2013

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Sara On 3/27/13, chris wrote: > I have just been hired as a 6th grade teacher. This is my > first classroom so I am a first year teacher. The class has > had several teachers already this year. My last assignment > was a long term sub for first grade. I need ideas on how to > start from day one. What do you recommend for rewards? Any >...See MoreOn 3/27/13, chris wrote: > I have just been hired as a 6th grade teacher. This is my > first classroom so I am a first year teacher. The class has > had several teachers already this year. My last assignment > was a long term sub for first grade. I need ideas on how to > start from day one. What do you recommend for rewards? Any > advice for this struggling teacher and class would be > greatly appreciated. Thanks

I recommend building a strong relationship with your class - see yourself as their guide on their journey of learning and growth. Build bridges, not walls. If you do that, the reward is a happy classroom.

Kids have to come to school every day - do they want to be miserable? For the most part, no but - it takes a village truly and they along with you are the village. I tell my students there's one rule and one rule only - what we do in class has to be safe - physically safe and emotionally safe. We need to keep each other safe and I tell them I can't do that alone. It's my responsibility to guide them to how best to do that but it's ALL our responsibility to keep each other safe. And if they do that, I promise them they will have a class and a school day that they look forward to coming to each day.

That's some reward... there's no better one and no more meaningful one. I don't do petty rewards - if school is supposed to be preparation for real life, real life does not give us candy and treats for doing the right thing. If you do the right thing in real life, you and those around you have a better life. The reason to do the safe thing, the right thing is not because of treats but because it leads to a better day for everybody.

6th graders are plenty old enough to understand that though when you first say it, they may never have considered it before. They are still learning and they will make mistakes but that's why they're in school. If they already knew what's right to do in every moment, why would we have them in school?

With this I can tell them or better ask them to reflect on what's been done - "Is it safe for everybody if you run down the hall?" "Does calling John a name make him feel safe in school?"

And if you build a strong sense of community in your class and you build a strong relationship with your classroom community, they will not want to disappoint you.

And it's ok to be new - everybody has to learn their job. Be kind to the kids,give the benefit of the doubt, bend over backwards to be fair and no one will mind that you're new.

If you have to give homework never give homework on weekends or holidays and tell them that's their family time - the parents will Love you for it.

I've taught every grade and 6th grade became my absolutely favorite grade.

Mar 27, 2013

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Dawn What do you recommend for rewards?

Hi Chris! I am a sixth grade teacher also. I use "chances" with my students. "Chances" are simply 1" squares of construction paper that students write their initials on for whatever I want to reward them for. All chances are then put into a plastic jug until I draw for the prizes. I use it as a quarterly...See More

Apr 1, 2013

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