Classroom Tips & Tools
First day tips and suggestions
• Greet students at the door
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Direct students to assigned seats
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Establish name identification through the use of nametags, introductions or roll call
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Introduce students to the room arrangement and explain functions for different areas of the classroom
• Introduce classroom procedures, model and post them
• Introduce three to six classroom rules, explain and post them
• Plan for maximum contact with students
• Establish yourself as a leader of the class
• Avoid distractions; stay with the class as much as possible
• Learn students’ names as soon as possible
Effective room arrangements
Ensure that:
• High traffic areas are free from congestion
• Students are always visible to the teacher
• Storage space and necessary materials are accessible
• Students can easily see instructional displays and presentations
Establish and maintain a positive learning environment by:
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Thinking about the subject to be covered, the composition of the student group and the type of interaction expected
• Planning lessons that are appropriate and meet the students’ needs
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Addressing the positive behavioral strategies included in the Individualized
Education Program (IEP) of any student with disabilities
• Addressing the learning needs of all students
• Making smooth transitions from one activity to another
• Avoiding unnecessary lapses from one activity to another
• Using signals to prepare students for transitions
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Conducting lessons at a brisk pace and providing continuous tasks for students
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Avoiding long, drawn-out directions or information, lecturing on student behavior or breaking activities into steps that are too small
• Varying turn-taking approaches
• Varying questioning techniques
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Devising ways to ensure that individual students are participating in the activity
Establish clear and specific rules and procedures by:
• Teaching rules and procedures to students as you would other content areas
• Clearly defining and modeling rules and procedures for students
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Consistently reinforcing rules and procedures by monitoring student behavior and applying reasonable and appropriate consequences
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Establishing a hierarchy of consequences for violating rules and procedures and re-evaluating them throughout the year
Prevent or discourage behavioral problems before they occur by:
• Knowing students’ names and showing respect for them
• Maintaining high levels of student involvement
• Giving the impression of being with every student at all times
• Frequently scanning the entire class
• Directly interacting with students
• Providing constructive feedback
• Accurately targeting misbehaving students
• Enforcing fair consequences for misbehavior