Post written byRachel Lissy
As a professional development trainer with Ramapo for Children, an organization that provides youth programming and adult training for special needs students, I often offer feedback to teachers regarding their classroom and behavior management. Often, when teachers reflect upon a particularly challenging lesson or stressful period, they will get a faraway look in their eyes and pine for the possibilities of next September. As early as October or November they will rue the structures and expectations they did not put in place from day one. "Next year," they tell me, "things will be different. I won't make the same mistakes."
It's a commonly held notion in schools that the first few weeks of school are essential for developing a successful and positive classroom culture. Although the work of creating a positive classroom culture is never complete and requires relentless effort on the part of teachers, there are specific strategies and practices that, when introduced early in the year, help to foster a culture of learning and classroom community. Here are a few strategies for teachers to consider in anticipation of a new year:
1. DEFINE THE STANDARDS AND PURPOSE OF YOUR COMMUNITY AND SET EXPECTATIONS.
Articulate a vision from day one about the shared purpose of your classroom community. Link this shared purpose (learning new things, becoming critical thinkers, making friends, graduating from high school) to your classroom expectations. You should be able to link your classroom rules and expectations to the shared