Share these tips with your students on the first day of school and
explain each one.
Top 10 Rules for School Success!
1. Use the "YES! Count On
Me" words: yes, I can, and I will.
2. To get ahead in school and in
life -- read more, learn more, do more.
3. Learn how to set and achieve
goals, and how to use these principles in the classroom.
4. No Vision = No Direction. Write down what you want to accomplish in the
first four weeks of the school year. Repeat for the next month.
5. Don't find a fault; find a
solution.
6. Minimizing the Bummer Words: no, can't, won't, never, maybe, and if. These six words will hold you back from
reaching your full potential.
7. Eliminate excuses.
8. Regularly ask yourself: "Did I give my best effort today?"
9. Help others.
10. Remember: Luck comes to those who work hard.
This is your life, your goals and
your success. You can do ANYTHING you
put you mind to!
Things for teachers
to avoid on the first day of school:
1. Confusion- Be clear concise and to the point. Use a class syllabus to guide your thoughts
and ideas you would like to share.
2. Seating Charts- Let the students sit where they want and
make a seating chart later. You
minimize student anxiety by doing this.
The troublemakers will show themselves shortly, but on the first day
make them as comfortable as possible.
3. No Games- Don’t play “Icebreakers” with the
students. It’s embarrassing for all
involved and there is not trust in your room yet for such games. Just talk with them about the school your
expectations and let them know you care.
Tell them, “I care about you”.
Have that sentence come out of your mouth.
4. Scare Tactics- Don’t scare the students. Use positive tones. Tell them past students have succeeded in
your class and you are there to help them, not hurt them. Also, have that sentence come out of your
mouth.
Now, something to
try-
Allow the last 10 to 15 minutes of your class to have the students ask you any
question they want. Just field questions
from them about yourself on a personal level.
It gives them an opportunity to see who you are and begin to develop a
relationship with them. This is how you
build trust. “Ok. Now what I will do is give you the next 10
minutes to ask me anything you would like, I’m an honest person so anything you
ask me will be a truthful answer.”
This also gives you an opportunity to correct inappropriate questions
that may arise. Again, use this as an
opportunity for building trust and expectations. You may find students are staying after the
bell rings to ask more questions.
