I believe setting expectations is a good thing. I can set expectations for myself, my students and the day. Things just go better when I do.
1. When I set expectations for myself they sometimes look like goals. Maybe they are not always reached; however, I made more progress than if I hadn't set any in the first place. Recently, I was given a challenge to write six important things to do at the beginning of the day and work on the first job until it was finished and then go to the next until all were done. If something didn't get finished, it went on the next day's list. I took the challenge and made my list. I was happily surprised and pleased that I got most of the jobs finished. Some of the jobs I had been postponing and now they were done. I expected to finish the jobs and I did.
2. Setting expectations for my students has brought great joy. Just yesterday, I subbed for a high school teacher in her Specific Learning Disability (SLD) math classes. In her notes she warned me that fifth period would be basically crowd control because the class has students in it that often misbehaved.
The students in the morning classes also warned me the class was hard and unruly. When fifth hour came, I came in from duty in the hall and announced that their reputation had preceded them and that I was giving them the benefit of a doubt. I told them I knew they could get their work done and behave like good students. I told them I was happy to see them and expected a great class. The students got their work and quietly did it. When everyone was finished, they talked quietly until the bell. It was amazing. More often than not, when I expect the students to behave they do. We find what we watch for. I gave my students respect and it came back to me. Some say I have been very lucky these past years to get good classes. However, having a mindset of great expectations has been the key.
3. When I set high expectations for the day, things go better. As a substitute teacher, rarely know where I am going unless I have a long term position. Each day I get up and expect to work in a classroom and have a wonderful time. When I get the call, I start imagining things going well. One time I was planning to have a regular education first grade class. I had my behavior charts prepared and my mindset was ready. When I got to the class I found it was a special needs class with several aides working in rotating groups. I saved my charts for another day, supported the program and it ran smoothly. I'm not saying things go as expected all the time, however, when I have high expectations I am able to work around any obstacles that come at me.
The three places I can set expectations are, for me, my students and the day. I find having high expectations helps things go better for me and those around me. I love working with happy students and teachers. School is not always easy. It can be more enjoyable when we plan for things to go well. My experience is that if I have that mindset they usually do go great.
Sheryl McBride, Certified in Special Education and Elementary Education.
Feel free you share your teaching ideas as a post on my website http://www.listenandtutor.com. There are resources available for you there.
1. When I set expectations for myself they sometimes look like goals. Maybe they are not always reached; however, I made more progress than if I hadn't set any in the first place. Recently, I was given a challenge to write six important things to do at the beginning of the day and work on the first job until it was finished and then go to the next until all were done. If something didn't get finished, it went on the next day's list. I took the challenge and made my list. I was happily surprised and pleased that I got most of the jobs finished. Some of the jobs I had been postponing and now they were done. I expected to finish the jobs and I did.
2. Setting expectations for my students has brought great joy. Just yesterday, I subbed for a high school teacher in her Specific Learning Disability (SLD) math classes. In her notes she warned me that fifth period would be basically crowd control because the class has students in it that often misbehaved.
The students in the morning classes also warned me the class was hard and unruly. When fifth hour came, I came in from duty in the hall and announced that their reputation had preceded them and that I was giving them the benefit of a doubt. I told them I knew they could get their work done and behave like good students. I told them I was happy to see them and expected a great class. The students got their work and quietly did it. When everyone was finished, they talked quietly until the bell. It was amazing. More often than not, when I expect the students to behave they do. We find what we watch for. I gave my students respect and it came back to me. Some say I have been very lucky these past years to get good classes. However, having a mindset of great expectations has been the key.
3. When I set high expectations for the day, things go better. As a substitute teacher, rarely know where I am going unless I have a long term position. Each day I get up and expect to work in a classroom and have a wonderful time. When I get the call, I start imagining things going well. One time I was planning to have a regular education first grade class. I had my behavior charts prepared and my mindset was ready. When I got to the class I found it was a special needs class with several aides working in rotating groups. I saved my charts for another day, supported the program and it ran smoothly. I'm not saying things go as expected all the time, however, when I have high expectations I am able to work around any obstacles that come at me.
The three places I can set expectations are, for me, my students and the day. I find having high expectations helps things go better for me and those around me. I love working with happy students and teachers. School is not always easy. It can be more enjoyable when we plan for things to go well. My experience is that if I have that mindset they usually do go great.
Sheryl McBride, Certified in Special Education and Elementary Education.
Feel free you share your teaching ideas as a post on my website http://www.listenandtutor.com. There are resources available for you there.
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