WHY YOU NEED TO SUCCEED ON THE FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 1

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Content of this presentation was adapted from How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school, Harry K. Wong and Rosemary K. Wong. Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc. ISBN: Order online at Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 3

Many teachers do not receive training on what to do during the first two to three weeks of school. However, these first few weeks are vital to establishing the success of your classroom and your students. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 4 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

The first day of school is “make it or break it” because:  You will either win or lose your students.  The effectiveness of your classroom is established.  What happens on the first day is a good indicator of how successful you and your classroom will be for the rest of the year. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 5 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

It is imperative that you establish good control of the class during the first week of school.  Cover all classroom procedures.  Let your students know that you know what you are doing.  Their success is directly related to how much control you establish during the first week. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 6 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

“The effective teacher affects lives.” (Wong & Wong, p. 5) Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 7 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Be an effective teacher by doing things right the first time, every time. Consistency and confidence are key to leading a successful classroom. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 8 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

The Four Stages of Teaching 07/19/2012Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 9

Below are the four stages of teaching: 1. Fantasy 2. Survival 3. * Mastery 4. * Impact * Make every attempt to reach stages three and four. Doing so means that you are an effective teacher and are impacting your students. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 10 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Stage One: Fantasy  Many new teachers believe that in order to be a successful teacher they should be a friend to their students.  Another common belief of new teachers is that they need to do “fun” activities in the classroom. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 11 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Conquering Stage One: Fantasy  Do not be a friend to your students. Instead, be their role model – someone they look up to and respect.  Education should be challenging, thought-provoking and exciting but time at school should not be filled with fun activities. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 12 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Stage Two: Survival  You find yourself relying on unsuccessful routines and exercises to get through the day.  You feel that what you are doing is simply a job and a paycheck. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 13 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Stage Two: Survival  Teachers in stage two complain often about work conditions, students, etc.  Students’ time in the classroom is filled with busywork. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 14 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Conquering Stage Two: Survival  Remind yourself why you became a teacher. You have the ability to impact your students’ lives.  Change your behavior and attitude which will, in turn, change the behavior of your students. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 15 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Conquering Stage Two: Survival  Expect more from your students. Let them know that you expect more.  Continue to be creative in your teaching techniques and do not rely on routine, failed practices to get you through the day. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 16 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Many teachers do not pass stage two, survival. You should strive to reach stages three and four. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 17 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Stage Three: Mastery  You implement effective practices in your classroom and are seeing success from your students.  You manage your classroom efficiently. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 18 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Stage Three: Mastery  You have very high expectations for your students.  You continue to learn by attending professional meetings and reading professional publications.  You teach because you want to make a difference. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 19 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Stage Four: Impact  You are impacting your students in the classroom because of your effective teaching practices.  You know how to encourage and motivate your students to learn.  You are influencing the lives of your students. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 20 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Summary  What you do on the first day of school and during the first several weeks is critical to the success of your classroom for the rest of the year. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 21 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Summary  Establish good control of the class the first week of school.  Your students’ success is directly related to the control and classroom management you set up on the first day and first few weeks. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 22 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Summary  Strive to reach stages three and four of teaching – mastery and impact.  The effective teacher affects lives. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 23 Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school. (pp. 3-8). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.

Content of this presentation was adapted from How to be an effective teacher: The first days of school, Harry K. Wong and Rosemary K. Wong. Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc. ISBN: Order online at Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 24