In true HNH fashion, I will start with a disclaimer: I am not the expert. I do, however, have excellent classroom management and have gleaned from my amazing colleagues/mentor through the years. BUT--what works for me may not work for you and that is okay.
10 Tips that will make your back to school transition a breeze (slight thunderstorm instead of a tsunami.)
- Connect. Building relationships and connecting with students is vital for the health and success of your classroom. Begin making those connections immediately! Especially working with the little ones, they may be a little clingy. I allow them to follow me around for a while and make conversation with them, I may even assign them a task to help do something (tell students who come in where to put their things, sort some school supplies, etc). This is their village, their community! You set the tone.
- Model. Set expectations from day one by voicing, modeling, and practicing them. For example, if you desire for your classroom to be peaceful, you yourself must first be peaceful. Make it a point to not talk across the room, but to approach your children personally with a question, concern, or noticing. Show them how to enter the classroom, how to unpack, how to choose activities (and which are to be chosen), appropriate voice level, material care, appropriate conversation, etc. First impressions are everything! What you show them on the first day is what they will take on as your expectations.
- Establish. Setting a routine and sticking to it is key for a smooth transition. Do not try to begin implementing everything all at once, because it will crash and burn quickly. Keep it simple and then gradually work through additions and changes. Consistency will help both you and your students feel secure and at peace. Example: On the first day we will voice/model/practice how to enter the room, how to unpack, how to walk in the classroom, how to sit down in the classroom at the general meeting area, how to get someone's attention, how to resolve conflict, how to carry materials, how to get and put away materials, and so on. I am laying the foundation. We are not going to learn about how to identify the main idea and key details of a story before we lay the foundation. See what I'm saying? Know your routine, stick to it, lay that foundation.
- Assess. Take note of your students' personalities and academic/social strengths and weaknesses. I once had a student who is still very near and dear to my heart. She screamed to the top of her lungs the very first time I told her no. She is strong willed and so am I. 😊It did not take me long to figure that out, but it helped me to establish a relationship with her and gave me an idea of how to address her needs and draw from her strengths. She loved to be in charge, so I let her lead. I also modeled how to lead appropriately. I taught her for two years, so we had ample time to establish a solid connection. She's going to 4th grade now, and she still visits my classroom 782 times a day on her way "to the bathroom". Watch them interact with their peers and make a mental (or physical) note.
- Teach. Incorporate academics as soon as possible. Combine it with #3. While you're establishing a routine, you want to get as close to your normal routine as possible. The lesson may be "how to resolve a conflict", but there could be a writing assignment following the lesson. The sooner you get started, the better.
- Communicate. Keep parent communication to a minimum as they are dropping off their child. Unless it is something that needs to be communicated immediately, such as food allergies or transportation home, keep it brief. You want to be present with your new students as they are becoming acclimated to their new community.
- Remember. Don't forget to remind yourself that it gets better and easier over time. All of the connecting, modeling, establishing, assessing, teaching, and communicating serve a purpose. It will all be worth it when your classroom runs smoothly.
- Breathe. Take a deep breath and remember why you're there. Before the first day, set up a space for parents and students to drop off the materials they will bring in. Prepare as much as you can before school starts, so that you are not frantic.
- Eat. As difficult as it may be to stop, just do it. If you feel like you won't be able to sit and eat lunch/breakfast, pack a healthy snack or two...and drink water!
- Rest. At the end of the day, your to-do list will never be all checked off. Can I get a witness from all the teachers!? Set goals. Do what you can do.
