Stop Wasting the First Week of School

He was shocked.  I had just told a coworker that I was going to be doing a lab in both chemistry and AP chemistry during the first week of school.  The reason for his surprise is that I told him that I wouldn’t be spending a whole week on classroom rules, procedures, get to know you questions, intro games, etc.  No.  In my class, we start as soon as possible.  Here are some alternative ways to start your school year besides pairing up and playing two truths and a lie.

Spread Procedures Through the First Week

Imagine being in your students’ shoes.  They go the seven periods on the first day and hear seven slight variations of where to find the homework, turn things in, how to use the bathroom, how important it is to be quiet, etc.  By the end of that day, they have almost no context for what was told to them and they can’t remember what they heard anyway. 

Instead, spread those lessons out organically over the first week or two.  But more importantly, teach those lessons in context.  When they are choosing their seats on the first day, that has context for how to know where to sit.  Teach it.  But they won’t be turning in their first assignment until Friday.  So, on Friday, teach them how to turn something in.  Keep these logistical lessons very direct and in context.

Don’t Play Get to Know You Games, Get to Know Them

The biggest thing that is learned about someone during mixer games is how much that person hates mixer games.  I was in a teacher PD yesterday where we had to do this.  I was paired with a staff member I have known for about 12 years.  She was so embarrassed and conflicted about deciding what her truths and lies were, she just ended up telling me one truth.  And it was a truth I already knew.  So, I learned that she is unbelievably uncomfortable in those situations.  That is your students as well.

Instead, get to know your kids.  Every day as the students are walking into your room, go sit next to one and ask a question.  Then create a system to follow up.  Let me give an example.  You ask what they are looking forward to doing before the weather gets cold and they tell you that they have a job interview in two weeks for a job they really want.  Set e reminder on your phone to ask them how the interview went.  You will be amazed at what one timely follow-up question will do to the trust in a teacher.

Another easy way to get to know your students is to print off the sports, music, and theater rosters.  Then keep tabs on the kids who aren’t asked about their football season.  You will build a more positive culture by asking the third string lineman about the big game than just talking to the quarterback.  Ask another student what part in the musical they most want to get.  But you need that roster to know who to talk to.

Challenge Them Before They are “Ready”

One common complaint about high school is how easy it is.  Therefore, kids are bored.  Don’t let that happen in your class.  Challenge them.  Now.  Push them just past the limit of comfort.  In AP chemistry on the first day, I will be giving an FRQ from a retired test.  They will have a few minutes to get as many points as they can.  They will ask, within seconds, if this is graded.  I will tell them that we will grade it. (Which we will.  But it doesn’t mean I have to record it.)  It is uncomfortable.  But guess what?  AP Chemistry is uncomfortable.  We aren’t going to do boring review days.  Same goes for grade-level.  I am going to push them to the edge and fast.

The danger in challenging students early is that you look like a heartless tyrant.  It’s fine to be a tyrant, but show your heart in doing it as well.  Make sure that they know that you will fight for them to succeed.  Will it be easy?  Heck, no.  Will you be there for them?  Absolutely.

Don’t Be Afraid to Be Different

Will all the teachers be spreading out this important information over a week or two?  Nope.  But it’s ok.  Engage your students early.  Put classroom management lessons in context.  Your students will remember more of your trickled lessons than they will from the firehose of logistics they are hit with on day one.  And they will perform better because of it.

Just in case you were wondering, here are my two truths and a lie.

I have auditioned to be on three TV shows

1.       Alone

2.       Survivor

3.       Everyday Edisons

Can you guess which one is the lie? (See, now we know each other and have such a good school culture.   Sorry, there is that sarcasm leaking out again.)

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