If you are a middle school secretary or work with adolecent kids on a regular basis, could you tell me, as a prospective middle school teacher, what advice would you give me in order to be successful in my first year of teaching?
What should i know about how to work with kids?
What advice would you give in regard to classroom management?
2007-01-29 05:43:11 · 3 answers · asked by tiyona17 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
1. expect middle school kids to act stupid...even the smart ones...there is such a huge maturity gap in middle school and it can get frustrating...
2. be fair...nothing upsets middle schoolers more than injustice...either actual or perceived...explain why you are doing something...never ever use "because I said so"...
3. set goals that they can reach...don't set expectations so high that they can't achieve them and you reach a frustration level...
4. be prepared...be overprepared...have fun activities as well as challenging activities...try to mix up the curriculum by doing unit or group projects at the end of a topic...
5. don't get involved in their classroom dramas...you are an adult, not a middle schooler, once you lower yourself to their level you will lose respect and control...also I have heard more than 1 teacher just say stupid and inappropriate things to students that got parents and administrators involved...if it is serious or affecting the student's work or creating a disturbance in your class involve a counselor...that's what they get paid for...
6. set rules and expectations quickly...first week...and follow through on them...the worst thing you can do at this age is to make empty threats, after the first one or two they will tune you out...
7. BE CONFIDENT...middle school kids can be the scariest because they really care the least (for the most part)...they are no longer intimidated little elementary schoolers and are not worried about college yet as HS students...this is the age where personalities develop and they test authority, yes even the good kids...
2007-01-29 06:05:09 · answer #1 · answered by techteach03 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I teach HS, but coach MS basketball. One of the biggest things I've seen is making sure to maintain order. Be consistant and firm with the kids. Make sure you establish that you are in charge and what you say goes. Show the teeth early, and it'll save you problems later. DON"T TRY TO BE A FRIEND! A lot of teachers want to be friends and get along, but that's not what you're there for.
2007-01-29 07:40:04 · answer #2 · answered by Steve 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well first of all they hate it when you bring them down. eg they think theyve done something good when they havent. Just explain it to them NOT in front of the class.
DO NOT let them walk all over you at first. Be hard then get softer..
DON'T let them sit by people who you know theyll be forever chatting to..
Do put the geeks with the pop. kids so they will not get distracted
2007-01-29 05:59:18 · answer #3 · answered by sherbylemon 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋