I arrived a bit early and was greeted by the boss, “Hi, Carol.” Of course I questioned why he knew my name, “You are the only new person.”  I said to myself “Yep, these gals have been in the class before.”  I realized really quickly that I am not in Kansas anymore.

As the women all arrived, the boss quickly went around the twenty stations and showed how you were to “do” each station. He went so fast it was a blur.

“Ok, get set… go” With only thirty seconds between each station, there was no time to rest or think. My name was now the ONLY name he called out. “Carol, keep  you butt down.” “Carol, move your towel out of the way.” “Carol keep the weights up high.” There was no let up. Also, there were times I was resting. He quietly reminded me that I might not be able to “do” all the things on the first day. There was no worry about my “feelings,” but concern about content, pushing me harder and farther than I thought I could ever go. Also, he didn’t spend ALL his time with me. There were others in the class doing the various stations and them pushing them as well.

As I was doing the “boot” camp I quickly realized this is exactly how I teach. I teach individually to each student making sure the high achieving students are engaged. I don’t teach to the middle of class, like I was taught and told in college how to teach. I teach to the highest achiever and make the others rise to those students.  “Get with the program, and keep up.” Yes, I was stressed, and yes, I was overwhelmed. But, to those other women in the class, they were all working at their own levels, just like I was.

In a your classrooms, please foster “get with the program” mentally. Additionally, have that quiet voice “you may not be able to do everything today.” You might have to sit with the students that don’t understand, but let those high achievers soar, which will bring up the “rest” of the pack. Each day your students will see they have achieved more and will push themselves harder. It will make you a better teacher and your students will thank you for that.

KIS: Keep it Simple

1. Little-by-little. If you come down with a long list of do’s and don’ts the students simply will not remember. Limit your rules to only ten.
2. Posted rules. This is only for the rules of classroom and specific rules that you need to physically show the students on a daily basis. Post at least six copies of rules around the classroom. so wherever the students look they see the rules.
3. Implied rules. These are underlying rules as you go. In the beginning of the year, have a new rule a day as you interact with the students.
4. Establish a Culture of “Circle of Trust.” This used to be called “tech helpers.” These are the students that are also passionate about your subject and technology. They USE all the equipment and want the equipment when they want it. They are focused on making sure all the equipment is put back and in working order at all times.
5. Check out sheet. Make sure all equipment is checked out. I have a sheet, with name, class, and equipment. It makes everyone accountable.

Let’s Get Started

Classroom Rules

Go over your TOP TEN rules in the classroom. Many teachers have two rooms in one like a  music room and a tech room. The first day of school or class, we practice moving chairs. I do this once, I never have to reteach.Seating chart of Promethean or Smart Board, easier to move students around, plus use a screen shot for substitute teachers.

“Left-brain” day  versus “Right-brain” day

When teaching new technologies or program establish what I call “right-brain” or “left-brain” day. Left-brain day is where students follow along, step-by-step and EVERYONE in the class has to be on the SAME screen. This creates an environment of helping each other. Again, do not move along until everyone is on screen. Do not go around and help, make the students help each other. Have numbers on each station or create stations, so you are not calling out names, just numbers.

The gifted and talented student will totally buy into this, since you tell the class that the goal is the “right brain” day, where students can click where and whenever they want. We all have “swiss cheese,” in regards to any program or technology toy, when the teacher goes step-by-step, everyone is on the same page. The swiss cheese is eliminated. Use “left-brain” day quite sparingly, only ten to thirteen minutes in a class period. Don’t use it everyday, only when you are introducing a new program or project.

Implied Rules

These can be as simple as the bathroom pass to the way ones passes out the iPod Touche devices. Everyday a new implied rule, only one a day.

Simple Tips

1. Purchase equipment that all uses the same batteries or sans disc cards. If you have a classroom with a variety of different batteries and cards it will drive you nuts.
2. Download all files the day they are filmed or shot. If you don’t follow this rule, it also will drive you nuts.
3. Have an external drive of 500GB and at least two jump drives. You will need this in case you have to dump the video for later use or move files from computer to computer.
4. Scout day before using any camera. Have the students “scout” for their pictures or video before you hand them a camera.This will eliminate the students leaving for twenty -five minutes with the one camera everyone is waiting for to use.
5. Tech Day. Have a day where all the files are either dropped or saved to an external hard drive. Test out the files before you show them to the class,this way any tech issues are fixed before the big presentation day.
6. Never have your presentation day be the last class. Here is where time management for the teacher comes to be so important. It also allows those students who need the extra time to work on their project. Try to end the class two days early. The last days of the class will be for evaluations and the google 20% (working on something they have never had the time to work on in class.)

Finally, we can have all those toys and tools, but classroom management really plays an important role in how these toys and tools can be controlled and implemented within the classroom environment. These have seemed to work well, I am interested in any other ideas teachers have, please contact me.

Then on Wednesday afternoon, the Golden Apple Foundation surprised me with a life-changing visit. I am one the the ten winners of the Golden Apple. I am so humbled at this honor. The Chicago Tribune and the Pioneer Press was there for pictures and interviews. I will post pictures once I get them. This morning in the Metro section was a wonderful picture with an article. Additionally, the amount of emails that I have received from parents, students, fellow teachers, and the community has been overwhelming. I am truly touched. For once I am speechless.