Getting Ready for the First Days of School
One of the beauties of teaching is that each year provides for renewal and a chance to start over. Salespersons, physicians, lawyers and other professionals do not get the opportunity to begin again annually. Effective teaching begins each year with a reflective review of the previous year and a plan to improve the next. Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results each time.”
Many schools use The First Days of School, by Harry and Rosemary Wong, (Harry Wong Publications) as a basis for new teacher induction. The book provides guidance for establishing classroom procedures as a way to become an effective teacher. Harry and Rosemary Wong believe that the first day is the most important day of the school year. On this day, the teacher can determine the success or failure for the entire year. Students develop their first impressions of their teachers, and if teachers do not plan for that first impression, the students will plan for them. Effective teachers plan the organization and structure for their classroom success and for the success of their students’ achievement.
Students, regardless of age or ability, want to know seven basic things on the first day of school. Effective teachers plan their first day according to the answers of these questions. The questions include:
- Am I in the right room?
- Where am I supposed to sit?
- What are the rules in this classroom?
- What will I be doing this year?
- How will I be graded?
- Who is the teacher as a person?
- Will the teacher treat me as a human being?
All persons want to be treated with respect, whether they are teachers, school administrators or students. Marketing experts say that you have seven seconds to create that positive impression. Students do not look for fun on the first day of school. They are looking for security, consistency, respect, dignity and care, and that message will be conveyed on how well the first day is organized.
Opening the School Checklist
ASK Publications (ASK Publications) has created an online checklist for school and district administrators. The tools can be used as a guide for new administrators in organizing the beginning of school. The complete document can be located at Opening of School Checklist .
ACT/CATS Alignment Study
As part of the integration of the ACT into Kentucky’s testing and accountability system, reviewers have analyzed the alignment between the Kentucky Core Content for Assessment 4.1 standards and the ACT assessment for English, reading, mathematics and science. See documents from the analysis by going to ACT Alignment Study May 2007.
ILP Training
Online registration is open for 34 hands-on, Web-enabled Individual Learning Plan (ILP) training sessions this fall at 18 locations across the state. Principals, teachers, counselors and student leaders will learn to use the student ILP and the school ILP, as well as how to implement the ILP in their schools. Sessions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information about the training and to register, please go to Online Registration for Fall ILP trainings.
Quotable Quotes
“High expectations are the key to everything.”
Sam Walton: founder, Wal-Mart