A New Year

Before we know it, summer is over. The sound of cicadas fade. The warm, humid days fall to cool, crisp days. It's time to trade the flip flops & swimsuits for sweatpants & hoodies. It's finally autumn. And with that autumn feeling, comes the start of a fresh new school year. New clothes and supplies, fresh hair-dos, nervous smiles, and butterfly dances in bellies as the students walk in the classroom for the first time. A smile. A "Hello! I am so happy so see you!" and a reassurance that this year is going to be great! It's that moment that makes a difference for the rest of the school year.


That first glance, first communication, sets the stage for the relationships that will be built. The trust that will either allow a child to fail or succeed. What do you do at this moment?

The sage advice provided to new teachers is always the same: NEVER SMILE BEFORE DECEMBER. Only focus on rules and teamwork for at least 3 weeks. Don't worry about the content. Practice. Practice. Practice. I used to believe in this mantra whole-heartedly. Through the years I have realized it is an awful way to establish the tone for my classroom. 

Don't get me wrong, rules must be taught, or rather, modeled. Pre-teaching is necessary at times. But, can't we teach these "rules" authentically? Not provide an entire list for students to read. It starts our year off with the mantra of "Don't do this. Don't do that. And if you do, this is the consequence." I've come to realize that's not a positive start to the year. It's all focused on behavior. So I haven't done it for a few years and this year I stepped away from it completely.

I may be the worst mentor ever. All the experienced teachers keep telling my brand-new partner teacher to not worry about content and to just build relationships with team building activities and that she needs to be super strict. [Hence: never smile before December. Why has this ever been a thing????] She asked me for advice. I said the exact opposite of what everyone else said. Poor girl. She must be so confused. I hope she is able to come to her own conclusions about what works for her. I know that will happen over time, and I saw her create her own balance of all the advice she received, so I know she will find her own direction and confidence soon!

On Day 3 I had a student ask me "What are the rules?" When I pointed out he must already know, since he's been following them it prompted a discussion of what behaviors students have been showing and how they already know what rules are necessary. And, that they are not really rules so much as they are guidelines on how we treat each other in a learning environment. This was a less than 5-minute discussion. It was the only time we talked about rules this week. And, guess what, the classroom ran smooth, kids were kind to each other and teachers, compliments were received from other teachers, expectations were met (at high levels!) and it was a hugely successful week!

So, if I didn't teach RULES all week and I actually SMILED, how did I get a successful start to my school year?

It's simple really. I pre-taught expectations before we did anything in class. If we were transitioning, I pre-taught what it should look and sound like, then we did it. If we were working in a group, I pre-taught group expectations. If we were walking through the room with Chromebooks, I pre-taught how we carry the Chromebooks safely and how we moved through the room in a safe manner. If we were sitting in alternative seating, I pre-taught how we share and take care of our seating items that are more "fragile." I used authentic learning opportunities to teach my students how we do things in the classroom behaviorally. I didn't review a syllabus. I didn't go over a list of rules. I didn't even brainstorm what rules should be in the classroom or what they look/sound/feel like. *gasp*

The world didn't fall apart. My classroom is just as well-managed at the end of the first week of school as it always is. I give reminders consistently and I am clear in my expectations. Just like I am all year long. And because of that, we were able to work collaboratively in digital formats and create learning cooperative groups WHERE NO CHILD WAS LEFT STANDING WITHOUT A GROUP. They chose their own groups and there was never a child in any of my classes that felt that they didn't belong in any way. That made my heart happy. I think it is important to note that this is the first time that has ever happened. And it happened in ALL of my classes. That alone spell's success in my mind.

It's not to say that the students were perfect, but really, what child is?!?!? They shouldn't be held to unreachable standards like that. Behaviors were corrected quickly and efficiently and were not repeated by the offender. We may be a little chatty in one group, but they will learn when it is acceptable to talk and when it is important to be quiet as they adjust to the learning environment being set in my classroom. It also tells me they need a lot of turn-and-talk opportunities and cooperative activities to be successful this year. I love that I already know this and I know it because of authentic experiences in my classroom and not because I spent the first-week focusing solely on behaviors.

I am excited about this school year and where it will take us. I have a sweet group of kids in my classes and I just know that this year is going to be amazing! [Even if I didn't review a syllabus or rules on Day 1!]