What Great Teachers Do Differently - Random or Plandom?

Random or Plandom?
Todd Whitaker talked about this when he was with us in April.  "Great teachers have a plan and purpose for everything they do.  If plans don't work out the way they had envisioned, they reflect on what they could have done differently and adjust accordingly." (Whitaker, 82).  The key words in the previous sentence are "what THEY could have done differently".  They referring to themselves.

Whitaker gave the example of the lyceum.  Great teachers know where the problem children are likely to be seated and they sit themselves right next to those students.  The other teachers congregate in the back of the auditorium and try to manage the students from the back (which has been proven to be ineffective time and time again.)  Another example is that Johnny and Timmy do not work well together, so instead of allowing kids to choose groups, the teacher figures out a way in which the two young men will not be working together.  "Great teachers intentionally arrange, rearrange, alter, and adjust the structures that frame their teaching." (Whitaker 81)

First Days of School - The Ready Classroom

"Teachers who are ready maximize student learning and minimize student misbehavior."

As we continue our First Days of School series, we will look at the ready classroom.  Wong starts by comparing the classroom to a restaurant. When you go to eat at a successful restaurant, the table is ready, the dining room is ready, and the staff is ready.  Aside from good food and service, being ready is a large part to being a successful business.  A successful teacher is ready; their work is ready, the room is ready, and the teacher is ready.  When you walk into a restaurant, office, or store, you expect them to be ready; why would you expect anything less from yourself?

Prepare the Floor Space

• Make sure you have enough desks and chairs.
• Fix broken furniture.
• Be friendly with your custodian, they are there to help prepare your classroom.
• Place desks and chairs where students can easily see the teacher.
• Keep high-traffic areas clear.
• Have a strategic location ready for students who need to be isolated from the whole group.

Prepare the Work Area

• Arrange work area so all students can be monitored from any place in the room.
• Make sure you have enough chairs.
• Be sure to have all necessary supplies.
• Test any equipment.

Prepare the Student Area

• Provide a space or routine for students to place their belongings they bring to class.
• Have a "lost and found" area.

Prepare the Wall Space

• Prepare a bulletin board to be used for student work.
• Discipline plan should be in a prominent place.
• Post procedures, schedules, charts, maps, directions, etc... in a prominent place.
• Have a consistent place for listing the day's work and/or learning target.
• Have a display for the feature topic or theme.

Prepare the Bookcases

• Rotate materials on the shelf.
• Do not place bookshelf near an exit where it may block the exit.

Prepare the Teacher Area

• Place teacher desk in a spot that does not place a barrier between the students and the teacher.
• Teacher desk should be in a spot where you can easily monitor behavior from.
• If you have lots of personal belongings in your desk, make it clear from the beginning the rules and procedures for going into your desk.

Prepare the Teaching Materials

• Have all basic materials ready and handy.  (Paper, pencils, erasers, markers, crayons, glue, etc...)
• Store seldom-used materials out of the way.
• Have a method ready for seating the students.

Prepare Yourself

• Keep your personal belongings in a safe place.
• Know where your emergency materials are.
• Know procedures for fire, tornado, or lock down drill.

"Teachers who are ready maximize student learning and minimize student misbehavior."

One of my professors in college had a phrase he used frequently, and it is one that I will never forget; 

"Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance"