Daily Assignment #130: Setting and Communicating High Expectations

Recently, a teacher asked me how to establish and reinforce expectations for students.  First, I referred her to Daily Assignment # 1, 2, 3, 4...  When I began to number off each blog, the teacher realized that we are communicating our expectations in everything we do, from how we arrange the classroom environment to responding to students' answers.

Bottom line, after a semester break, begin by reviewing the expectations with the students, hopefully these are posted in the classroom.  It is important for you, as the teacher, to be firm, clear and consistent.  This applies to behaviors as well as performance.  Maintain your standards and expectations, especially on those days when it may feel like it is the first day of school.

Also, create Criteria for Success for assignments, (Daily Assignment #25).  Criteria for Success would be #3 on a rubric.  By posting the Criteria for Success and going over it with students, sends the message that this is bottom line and you will not accept less.  However, make it clear you will accept beyond this level.

Remember, everything a teachers does, during the course of a day, sends messages to your students as to your beliefs, standards and expectations.  When you respond to a child, react to a situation, give an assignment, interact with a colleague, a grade, feedback, and more, sends messages to your students.  So, be clear, consistent and firm.  They will get the message loud and clear.

Please share this blog with colleagues and friends.
If you haven't already, check out my book on effective teaching strategies on Amazon.com.  I would appreciate a review as well.  Thanks.

Best Effort,
Linda103
                                                 

Daily Assignment #129: Even More Do-Nows #3

As promised, here are some more Do-Now ideas:

• Correct grammar of 2-3 silly sentences:  

1.  the robot cow flew the huge whale under the small blue  bridge
2.  look out for the train going up the building  
3.  popsicles are good for painting the little wood house 

• Jeopardy:  give students answers, they design questions:  

1. On Sept. 1, 1715 Louis XIV died in this city, site of a fabulous palace he built.   (Versailles)  
2. Around 1542 explorer Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo discovered this island off L.A. and it's believed he's buried there too.  (Catalina)  
3. This number, one of the first 20, uses only one vowel 4 times.  (Seventeen) 
4. The United States President lives in this building.  (White House)  

• Draw a pictures of Idioms:

1. a wolf in sheep's clothing
2. killing time; pulling you leg
3. kicked the bucket
4. talk to the hand
5. bite the dust       

• Check-It:  2 spelling versions, math problems
• 
  
• Quick math facts
• 
  
• Journal writing
• 
  
• Quotes, explain meaning:  

1. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss 
2. “Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” ― Bernard M. Baruch 
3. “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi  
4. “If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.” ― Mark Twain  
5. “If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire   
6. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”― Mahatma Gandhi   
7. “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou

Please share this blog with colleagues and friends.

If you haven't already, take a moment to check-out my book on Amazon. com---

Best Effort,

Linda103