Take a number!

So this is the week that I start thinking again.  Back To School... Back To School... Back To School...  I had a little trouble accomplishing anything at first because there is so much that I want to have prepared and so many things I want to improve on.  Not only that but my family is all busy getting ready for a wedding so my mind has been in about eight thousand different places. 

I chose one aspect of teaching that I want to focus on to start off with... a major challenge for me was that I felt like every student wanted my attention at the same time, all the time.  It was as if they were helpless little chicks needing the mother hen to feed them each individually.  But here's the thing... they aren't little kids... they are not helpless... most of them are 17-18 years old and hold jobs.  So clearly there must be something I can do differently to bring out their more responsible side, right?  (ormaybe I am crazy thinking that teenagers have a responsible side, haha)


Before I get into it, I'll give you some background... First, my school has rolling admission.  Every day for the first two weeks and then every other Monday for the rest of the year is a start date, so I can get new students all the time.  I know what you're thinking.  Chaos.  Which would be true if our class sizes were like those in a base school.  But fortunately, I have roughly 5-15 students in each of 3  classes.  Second, attendance is a problem for many students (and yes, it is often linked to the reason why they are attending an alt. school in the first place).  Third, I was brand new last year and my teaching style was "evolving". 

With those 3 factors combined... I was loosing my mind trying to figure out who was going to be in class on any given day and what chapter they were on (oh yeah... its easier with the rolling admission thing to let some students self-pace).  So I was always asking which students are on unit 3??  unit 5?? SOL review?? need a test? a pre-test? a review? a lab? a lecture? which students can work together?  who's absent??  who's new??  who's been gone all week and decided to show up today??  etc.etc.etc. 

To aid myself in planning, I have conjured up images of being in the classroom.  WARNING:  It will make this blog entry pretty lengthy (like my introduction) and *gasp* maybe a little boring for others to read (I hope not).  But I am gonna bite the bullet and write it because I think I need it out of my head and in text in front of me to get focused. 

Situation 1
So here is is a real-life example of what I don't want to happen, and a situation I found myself in:

New Student is sitting in the back of the classroom not really talking to anyone.  I am speedily setting up a class assignment and looking for a test that my Test Taker Student is waiting for.  I have several papers that I am shuffling through.  I start to greet the other students coming in the door.  I give a few quick instructions and Responsible Students start working.  Disruptive Student walks in late and pulls my attention away from New Student who I was about to approach.  Disruptive Student has missed several days and doesn't know what to do.  New Student is now surfing the internet behind my back, happy that I haven't paid attention yet to him/her and getting too comfortable "flying under the radar".  Disruptive Student calls out demanding that I walk them through the whole assignment.  If I leave his/her side then they will stop working and start disrupting others almost immediately.  Test Taker Student finishes the test from unit 3 and the rest of the class is only on unit 1, and I haven't even planned unit 4 yet (who knew anyone could work so fast?  I am only human.).  And I haven't even spoken to Responsible Students since the first minute of class, so how can I even know what they are learning?

The example above is pretty ugly...  and I promise that my students were successful despite how bleak that example sounds.  I would like to think start days were not usuaally like that, but I was purposely conjuring up a disgusting image that will scare me into preparing for the unexpected. 

Situation 2
Here is what I would like that situation to look like (and sometimes it almost kind of even did happen):

New Student walks through the door and I immediately greet him or her.  I give New Student a folder with the syllabus, and unit 1 introduction packet to start working on.  The introduction packet includes the science pre-test, a writing sample, and lab safety.  I introduce New Student to my other students and maybe go around the room with some type of ice breaker.  Responsible Students, and Test Taker Student all get to work right away.  When Disruptive Student shows up late, I remind him/her of the assignment with clearly defined expectations and if Disruptive Student needs extra help, I sit down and help... but only when Disruptive Student asks for help in a respectful tone.  Otherwise I take Disruptive Student into the hallway for a conversation.  I remember to praise Responsible Students for working hard and make sure they understand the assignment and I monitor their learning.  When Test Taker Student is finished, I have the next unit prepared.  

Now that I have an image of what I don't want and an image of what I do want, I can start making my list.  Below are the steps that I will take between now and September 2 to prepare.  Keeping in mind that the first two weeks every single day is a start date, I really don't want to have chaos, following the list is a must!

Avoid Chaos List:
1.  Revamp my new student folder - include the science pre-test instructions, a writing assignment, and lab safety
2.  Decide on 1 or 2 simple ice breakers to use regularly to introduce new students 
3.  Include clearly defined expectations in all assignments
4.  Remember:  Do not let students be disrespectful to you.  Its bad for the class and the teacher.  Nip in the bud. 
5.  Reward students for working hard
6.  Monitor learning continuously
7.  Have new units prepared in advance (which ought to be easier this year)

I realize that some of the "Avoid Chaos List" items can be finished before school starts, such as the new student folder.  Whereas others are more continuous.  For the more continuous ones, I am going to write a little "action plan" for them.

Whew... I am impressed if you read all this!!  I hope that some of you did and maybe you can give a little feedback.  Any tips/advice?