22: Make Do with Missing School Supplies

"Each day you will have students who come to class unprepared. They might have left their book at home or simply have no paper or pencil. The question that you face as a teacher is the method in which you deal with this situation.
Two major schools of thought seem to exist on this issue. One is that students need to learn to be responsible. Therefore, if they do not come prepared they should not be able to participate in the lesson or they should receive some other form of punishment. The second school of thought is that a forgotten pencil should not keep a kid from learning. Your opinion on this topic will determine what course of action you are likely to take in your classroom. If you try to go against your natural instincts, you are more likely to fail at consistently enforcing the rule.
However you decide to handle missing materials, do not reduce academic grades because of lack of supplies. When you affect a student's grades, you interfere with one of the main reasons why the students are in your class in the first place- learning. Other effective punishments can be devised to help teach responsibility."

When reading this my mind was going in many different directions. The first thing I did was something close to a giggle. The next was me saying excitedly, "I know, I know, the schools try and compensate for what the kids don't have! That is what they do!" I know many schools have programs to feed, clothe, obtain personnel to make sure students have the proper shelter/care on top of making sure every student has pencils, glue, paper, and crayons. If any of those last few I mentioned are not provided by the school, to the best of my knowledge, those non-basic needs are usually something the teacher often provides. Continuing to read, my thought process started remembering those in my student teaching class who were definitely responsible enough to bring supplies, but because of money or whatever else could not bring in certain items. How am I to punish that? Lastly I was thinking how the lack of materials in schools is not only something between the teacher and student, but also the teacher and the school its self.

I think it is time to face the fact that its going to get worse before it gets better in terms of kids having what they need. The schools are not going to be able to control every student's needs, though it is a nice gesture. What I believe to be the best line in this "tip" is when they talked about how no matter what you can't let what you don't have affect the students learning. If they do not have something or the school isn't providing the proper resources then learn how to compensate yourself. Learn a new way of achieving the same task. It might be a little more challenging, but you will be better off in life if you ask me. Not only will be you checking off standards, but teaching a skill for a life that never hands you exactly what you need for when you need it.

5: Be Consistent

"Consistency in teaching basically means that your students know what to expect from you day to day you rules do not change. You are not strict one day and easy going the next. There are no surprises for you kids, and they do not have to feel like they are walking on eggshells. Consistency is important if you want to earn the respect of your students.
If you spend some time in a consistent teacher's classroom , you will find that every student knows the rules. Students know what is expected of them, and there is no question of what will happen if they fail to live up to those expectations. The teacher's demeanor in a consistent classroom does not change from a period to period or day to day. Because everyone knows the consequences and there is no doubt about the reaction of the teacher, misbehavior is greatly reduced. Students in a consistent classroom can feel safe and can focus on what is important not what mood the teacher happens to be in on a particular day. This is one of the many secrets that effective teachers share."

I decided on this to be the first "tip" because I feel that consistency is very important and should be started on the very first day. (even as I start to sub, they will remember and so must I!) Some teachers I know like to start the year off with intimidation or ease into their discipline routines, however I plan on being consistent from day one. Perhaps the consistency will seem harsh to some students because they have never had it at home, but just as it is said from above, "everyone knows the consequences and there is no doubt about the reaction of the teacher, misbehavior is greatly reduced." My goal is to have a safe learning environment, a strong line, and no power struggles between teacher and students.

180 Tips and Tricks for New Teachers by: Melissa Kelly

I was given this book as a graduation present from my Aunt Linda, who has been a Kindergarten teacher for several years. I have been reading it and have found several of these little "teacher devotionals" to be very inspiring as well as thought provoking. As I was reading I had the crazy idea to perhaps post a few on here, and add my own commentary for you to check out and maybe even add your own insight!

Welcome!

Hello, and thanks for visiting my professional site!
This is still a work in progress, but as of right now you can go to the left and check out my resume, as well as the library. The library has powerpoints, pictures, as well as website URLs for a vareity of different uses.
I hope to use this site in the future as a beacon for students and parents that want/need information no matter what time of the day. Communication is the key!

Come again soon!
Miss. Reynolds