Meet and Greet
I realize that many administrators would like us to teach "from bell to bell." I don't know any teachers who can really do it. First, we would have to have every single material for every single class at our fingertips. Second, we would have to have "bell-ringers" that require no explanation at all for every single period every day....and train our students to never need reminding, or to borrow materials, or to be late, or to have been absent the day before etc. etc. Third, we would have to make sure that no one ever called from the office, made an announcement, needed a late pass...you know...the list goes on and on.
Since I KNOW that I cannot jump immediately into teaching the moment the first bell rings, I have chosen to integrate that transition time with purpose.
I start, when I can, by waiting in the hall outside my door.
When I first heard Hal Urban suggest this, I thought it would be difficult. I was wrong. I thought it would have very little impact. I was wrong again. I thought it would take away from class. I was even more wrong about that.
By greeting them outside the door I can:
*say hello before they ever enter the room and set a positive tone.
*remind them of needed materials before class starts.
*chat about "un-Spanish" things.
*see who their friends are.
*see if they are late because they are kissing someone good-bye.
*pull them aside for a pep talk.
*give them a high-five for something I heard about on the announcements.
*see who is barely crawling down the hall to get here.
*see my colleagues.
and the list goes on.
Even if you can only do it on Mondays...it's worth it.
with love,
Laurie
Since I KNOW that I cannot jump immediately into teaching the moment the first bell rings, I have chosen to integrate that transition time with purpose.
I start, when I can, by waiting in the hall outside my door.
When I first heard Hal Urban suggest this, I thought it would be difficult. I was wrong. I thought it would have very little impact. I was wrong again. I thought it would take away from class. I was even more wrong about that.
By greeting them outside the door I can:
*say hello before they ever enter the room and set a positive tone.
*remind them of needed materials before class starts.
*chat about "un-Spanish" things.
*see who their friends are.
*see if they are late because they are kissing someone good-bye.
*pull them aside for a pep talk.
*give them a high-five for something I heard about on the announcements.
*see who is barely crawling down the hall to get here.
*see my colleagues.
and the list goes on.
Even if you can only do it on Mondays...it's worth it.
with love,
Laurie
BRAVO!
yes!
totally agree... and also say bye at the end of the class standing at the door, repeating or introducing a farewell expression... it also makes your ready for the next class coming in.
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You are right Pia! Imagine if you met with your doctor and as you were leaving he buried his nose in his computer and completely ignored you instead of saying goodbye..... It's the little things that make the biggest difference!!!
with tons of love,
Laurie
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I just finished reading Escalante - the Best Teacher in America. Early in his career, while he was still in Bolovia and taking teacher-training at the Normal Superior, he was advised, "Always be in the classroom before your students. Never let them wait for you." The significance or rationale was not explained, but it was obviously a piece of advice that struck home with Escalente, as he remembered it all those years later when he was interviewed for the book.
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