Submitted by Lila J. Bolen, Ohio

Idea posted October 2, 2002

You might want to pick up the book "The First Days Of School" by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong for tips on classroom management. Establish the fact that you are in charge, they are in a class that has been deemed necessary, and that RESPECT (for you, others, and themselves) is the prime factor. They will be treated how they let you treat them, and if that means you need to get tough, then that is their choice by how they treat you. Most definitely talk with other teachers and the principal, and devise a plan of action for discipline, then stick to it. The other people in your building have most likely had these experiences and should be more than willing to help you out. Believe me, this WILL pass, and you will grow from this experience and learn what will and won't work with kids. Also, be sure you have lots of activities planned for each class, so that if plan A isn't working, move on to something else quickly. Kids seem to enjoy bingo games from the Cheryl Lavender series. Sometimes I use those at the beginning of the year to review OR introduce subjects, then ease into lessons related to the topic of the particular bingo game.