Teach for America South CarolinaHigh School Social Studies Learning Team

August 10, 2013C.E. Murray High School

Introductions

Kara Keale

• Burke High School(Charleston, SC)

• 732-757-9629

Shemia Hunter

• Wilson High School(Florence, SC)

• 843-610-7313

Today’s Agenda:

1. Introductions

2. TFA SC HS SS

3. Tips and Ideas:1. Classroom Management

2. Forming Relationships

3. Contacting Parents

4. What do you need?

Tell Us About Yourself!

Resources, Lesson Plans, and More!

• The TFA SC HS SS email

tfascsocialstudies@gmail.com

• The TFA SC HS SS blog:

tfascsocialstudies.wordpress.com

Classroom Management

First Day Stuff

• Be stern, but light-hearted• Set your expectations early on!• Ask your kids what they expect from you –

and really listen!

• Let your students know you want to get to know them and that you are there for them

• Don’t try to be someone you’re not

Classroom ManagementKara’s Tips

1. Assigned seats• Ask a veteran teacher for tips on

who should and should not sit next to each other on the first day

• DO NOT seat students alphabetically

2. Set strong expectations on the first day: but not too many!

• Set 3-4 major expectations (prompt, prepared, productive, polite)

3. Use your walls!• Let the walls serve as a constant

reminder of your expectations

• “Model Behavior”

Classroom ManagementKara’s Tips

4. Switch things up• 15-20 minute intervals:

independent work, group work, lecture, reading

• Kids need to move - let them!

5. Get kids out: don’t let them distract the others!

• Talk with misbehaving kids in the hall: let them know you care, but stay firm with your expectations

• If you need to, ask for a student concerns specialist to remove a student

• Work with your administration, and request that students don’t return to your class that day

Classroom ManagementShemia’s Tips

1. Be consistent with your rules and consequences

2. Simple rules and simple consequences are easier to remember and follow

3. Practice the appropriate way to come into the class, sit during the class, and leave the class on the first day.• Students love showing the “wrong” way

4. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you want to listen to yourself lecture for 90 minutes? Would you want to be seated the entire class? Plan accordingly.

Classroom ManagementShemia’s Tips

5. Parent Warning Letter• When a student breaks a

rule the first time, warn them verbally and after class, make them sign this letter. Explain that they will have to get the letter signed the next time you must speak to them.

• For the 2nd offense, send the letter home AND call home.

• It usually takes just 1 or 2 students to be the “example” and your class will understand that you mean business.

Forming Relationships

How To: Form Relationships

• Student Survey (but make it interesting!)

• Know when your kids have birthdays • And celebrate!

• Class calendar

• Find $5 gift cards, make cookies, “President for the Day”, let the student teach the class for 5 minutes, candy, small birthday card

How To: Form Relationships• Make connections to

their lives and let them teach you• Music, movies, activities• Local area interests –

they’re the experts!

• Get involved!• Class calendar can help• Sports teams, prom

planning, clubs, etc.• Let them see you are a

real person!

• Who is their favorite teacher?• Find out why: then see if

you can observe that teacher

• Try to work with that teacher on their projects, clubs or sports teams

Contacting Parents

Kara’s Tips

• Keep an individual folder for each student• Place for non-academic things relating to each

student • Keep a parent contact log for each student

• Call parents at least every two weeks• Always have something good to say!• Always have a solution to any frustration you want to

address

• Go to football/ basketball games: talk casually and get to know your kids’ parents

• Use other teachers as a resource – everyone is working towards the same goal!

Shemia’s Tips• Try to contact parents

before school starts• Contact parents when

their child is doing poorly AND well

• Keep a log---ALWAYS• If you can’t get in touch

with a parent, ask other teachers the student had and currently has

• Call parents of students who could fail when report cards/interims go out

What do you need from us?

Stay in touch!

• tfascsocialstudies@gmail.com

• Tfascsocialstudies.wordpress.com

• Call or text anytime!