My First Day Back

Today was the first day back to school. I am so amazed at how smoothly it went—no kids with attitude and everyone seemed eager to learn. These aren’t the students that I read about in school. I thought that they all were full of apathy with borderline personalities. Could it be if you show them some compassion and respect they return the favor? Maybe it is because I have mostly freshman and they are still scared by an authority figure. Who knows?

Today I followed my guru Harry Wong’s advice about how every teacher should start the year off: I had the seating chart projected on the overhead and an assignment waiting on the desks. Everyone entered quickly and started to work right away. Then I introduced myself to everyone individually in Spanish, asked them their name, and told them it was a pleasure to meet them. It scared the first few students who didn’t understand what I was saying, but they all really seemed to appreciate being greeting individually. We went over the assignment quickly and then on to the rules.

First, I asked the students if they could imagine a basketball game or a football game without any rules and what that game would be like. They told me it wouldn’t work. So, I asked them what would a classroom be like without rules. They seemed to really get the analogy. I explained that there were consequences and rewards for following the rules and doing well just like in a game. They know the consequences, but for the rewards I explained that I couldn’t afford to give them cash, but that I would give them 25 minutes for every ten days that they were on task and didn’t break the rules. Of course, these 25 minutes would be used to play games that are relevant to Spanish, but at least they have a goal and it is a team effort. If one person messes up it hurts the whole class. I am hoping that this will take the pressure off me being the disciplinarian and making the students accept responsibility for their actions. Thanks, Harry Wong!! It really does work…at least on the first day.