Our members responded and have given you these great classroom tips:

• Room arrangement is critical to classroom management.  Take time to discuss ways to improve room arrangement.  Effective arrangement of the classroom gives teachers a chance to become organized and "in-control".

• Alphabetical seating is another alternative for classroom management.  This makes learning each student's name easier and taking the class attendance quicker.

• Be at your door each period to meet and greet the students and urge them to "...come on in!"

• Begin the year tough.  You can always get easier, however, it is almost impossible to "toughen up" later if you begin too easy.

• Have each student to fill out an index card for you and have them include their homeroom number and home phone number and maybe what they would like to get out of the class.  This will help you get to know them better.

• Have each student keep a notebook which you will grade for content (all tests, quizzes, projects, essays, etc.).  Emphasize that the notebook must be kept neat and organized and at the end of the six weeks let them know that this is an easy "100" that can help their grade(s).

• It is a good idea to keep your students and parents informed.  Each week, on Monday, give the students a homework sheet.  This homework sheet shows an overview of each subject for the week.  It can highlight important information, such as, report card dates, field trips, no school on certain day, etc.

• Be ORGANIZED!

• Post your classroom rules and the consequences for breaking those rules in your classroom. Make sure they are congruent with school rules and the school discipline plan (Ex:  "Be in your seat when the bell sounds; otherwise you are considered tardy", and/or "Bring notebooks, paper, pencil or pen to class each day").  Post the consequences for violations of your rules (phone call to parents, conduct grade dropped one letter). 

• Let the students help create and establish a firm discipline policy and abide by it.