"7 Things Students Want to Know" (Gazette, August 2000)
1. Am I in the right room?
I will be standing at the door and welcoming students on the first day because it
helps their anxious nerves slowly dissipate and feel welcome. It shows them that
I am awaiting their arrival with anticipation, which what they may be
feeling. Also, first day of school bulletin boards with their names can give
them a sense of belonging even though they still do not know what to expect from
my classroom.
2. Where am I supposed to sit?
In my classroom, on the first day of school I will post a seating chart poster.
As the student is entering, I will instruct them to look at the seating chart, then
look for the name tag on their desk. Assigned seating on the first day will cause less decision-making for students
who may be nervous.
3. What are the rules in this classroom?
I will have a rules poster posted in the classroom where everyone can see them. On
the first day of school, we will go over them, have each child participate in
reading them, and commenting on what they think it means and demonstrate if
needed.
4. What will I be doing this year?
Children need plenty of guidance. Demonstration and modeling of procedures such as lining
up, writing a proper heading, how to enter the classroom, and so forth tells the
student what I expect from tasks.
5. How will I be graded?
If the assignment is an essay or short answer, I will demonstrate what I expect for
them to receive an A. If assignments are from workbooks, I will tell them what I
expect from the directions given.
6. Who is the teacher as a person?
I will have a bulletin board with students’ names and my name with hobbies and
interests. In the bulletin boards section, you can see my idea of the flock with the small sheet of paper
which asks "who is worth more to you than gold?". I will have my name with theirs on both boards.
7. Will the teacher treat me as a human being?
If I greet my students, include myself on the bulletin with their names, and
respect myself, this will show my students my perception of myself and
expectations of how they should treat themselves and myself. Also, that I am on and part of their team.
I will be standing at the door and welcoming students on the first day because it
helps their anxious nerves slowly dissipate and feel welcome. It shows them that
I am awaiting their arrival with anticipation, which what they may be
feeling. Also, first day of school bulletin boards with their names can give
them a sense of belonging even though they still do not know what to expect from
my classroom.
2. Where am I supposed to sit?
In my classroom, on the first day of school I will post a seating chart poster.
As the student is entering, I will instruct them to look at the seating chart, then
look for the name tag on their desk. Assigned seating on the first day will cause less decision-making for students
who may be nervous.
3. What are the rules in this classroom?
I will have a rules poster posted in the classroom where everyone can see them. On
the first day of school, we will go over them, have each child participate in
reading them, and commenting on what they think it means and demonstrate if
needed.
4. What will I be doing this year?
Children need plenty of guidance. Demonstration and modeling of procedures such as lining
up, writing a proper heading, how to enter the classroom, and so forth tells the
student what I expect from tasks.
5. How will I be graded?
If the assignment is an essay or short answer, I will demonstrate what I expect for
them to receive an A. If assignments are from workbooks, I will tell them what I
expect from the directions given.
6. Who is the teacher as a person?
I will have a bulletin board with students’ names and my name with hobbies and
interests. In the bulletin boards section, you can see my idea of the flock with the small sheet of paper
which asks "who is worth more to you than gold?". I will have my name with theirs on both boards.
7. Will the teacher treat me as a human being?
If I greet my students, include myself on the bulletin with their names, and
respect myself, this will show my students my perception of myself and
expectations of how they should treat themselves and myself. Also, that I am on and part of their team.