Last week was my first week back in the classroom after being away for a week due to illness. I went back to the classroom thinking that everything was going to return to normal- the routines that were established would be picked up, the level of respect would be maintained and my classroom expectations would be upheld. I was living in a dream.
Fall flat on my face: First thing, Monday morning, with Mrs. Wevers we sat down on the carpet to discuss our expectations as teachers. Mrs. Wevers explained the implications of having teachers away being sick (as both her and I were sick for the last three weeks) and how this next week was going to look. The talk went extremely well and the kids seemed to respond great. The rest of the week was full of ups and downs (more downs) as I re-established my routines, classroom management and expectations. Looking back I realized that a lot of those extra bumps and falls were the result of not taking the time to re-establish my expectations and procedures with my students on my own time, separate from Mrs. Wevers.
I recognized my mistake but now what?
Dusting myself off: Wednesday afternoon we sat on the carpet at the end of the day an discussed how they day went and how tomorrow was a brand new day. One of my students shared this quote: "Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it". We read a note from a student out of the Good Thoughts Jar and I sent my student home with high fives and hugs. Thursday morning first thing we sat down on the carpet and went over classroom expectations for the day and how they day we going to work. This lead to a much better day and a safe, effective learning environment.
Moving Forward: I learned the importance of re-establishing my presence in the classroom and what my expectations can never be over done or understated as they are the guidelines that establishes boundaries for my students.
Fall flat on my face: First thing, Monday morning, with Mrs. Wevers we sat down on the carpet to discuss our expectations as teachers. Mrs. Wevers explained the implications of having teachers away being sick (as both her and I were sick for the last three weeks) and how this next week was going to look. The talk went extremely well and the kids seemed to respond great. The rest of the week was full of ups and downs (more downs) as I re-established my routines, classroom management and expectations. Looking back I realized that a lot of those extra bumps and falls were the result of not taking the time to re-establish my expectations and procedures with my students on my own time, separate from Mrs. Wevers.
I recognized my mistake but now what?
Dusting myself off: Wednesday afternoon we sat on the carpet at the end of the day an discussed how they day went and how tomorrow was a brand new day. One of my students shared this quote: "Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it". We read a note from a student out of the Good Thoughts Jar and I sent my student home with high fives and hugs. Thursday morning first thing we sat down on the carpet and went over classroom expectations for the day and how they day we going to work. This lead to a much better day and a safe, effective learning environment.
Moving Forward: I learned the importance of re-establishing my presence in the classroom and what my expectations can never be over done or understated as they are the guidelines that establishes boundaries for my students.