Assignment #3

Over the course of the first quarter, I have slowly tighten my management style of the class.  I have realized that I needed to be stricter with my routines and procedures.  Being a first year teacher, I realized I was too loose.  The students were too chatty and trying to negotiate everything with me. Even though I struggled with those aspects, I have never felt that they disrespected me or not trust me.  I get cards and letters almost every day from at least one student thanking me for being their teacher.  That feels so rewarding.

Since the first weeks of school, I have started a daily work-out/yoga routine.  I do this first thing in the morning.  I feel this has helped them get a good start to the day.  I also have started to say sayings such as "when your eyes are on me/the board, I will know you are ready to learn".  I also have fine tuned transition/lining up time.  I have each student put all their items away, stand up and push in their chairs.  I will say "when you have put your things away, stood-up and pushed in your chair with bubbles in your mouth, I will know you are ready to go".  Once they have all done this, then I will excuse them to line-up.  If anyone runs, they are to go back to their desks and try again.  I will also compliment the students who are doing what they are suppose to; the ones who aren't will straighten up quickly.

I always think there is room for improvement.  I am always looking for strategies to try!

Blog Assignment #2

I feel I was too "soft" of a teacher at the beginning of the year.  I tend to naturally have a motherly tone.  I feel for them when they don't feel good or have a cut or if something else is bothering them.  I have definitely toughened up since the beginning of the year.  I am more strict on the talking.  I have gotten that under control.  There is still room for improvement.  I also am enforcing better expectations as far as lining-up and walking in the hallway.  I just recently saw footage of a 5th grade teacher and how she lined up her students.  I am now doing what she does.  She has them clear off their desks and stand quietly with their chairs pushed-in.  Then once everyone is ready, they quietly walk to line.  By adjusting my expectations just a little, control over my room has gotten better.

What has worked is incentive for a 100% on any test.  I felt like my students were rushing through their tests.  I have now offered a Hershey's chocolate bar to anyone who gets a 100%.  I had 18 out of 23 get a 100% on their vocabulary test last week.  I also had a few 100%s on a science test. I feel their science tests, overall, scored very well.  We will be having a few tests this week.  I am hoping that I will need to go out and buy more chocolate bars!  Their grades have improved a lot since my chocolate offerings.