Student names put me in a mild panic at the start of every school year. I worried that I’d be slow to learn my students’ names. I worried that I’d mispronounce a student’s name. I worried that I’d call a student by the wrong name. Kinda crazy, huh? And you know what? I don’t remember a year when I didn’t have my students’ names down pat in two or three days. Of course, desktags were a lifesaver and the students themselves were extremely helpful too.

I do have a funny story to share. This incident still causes me to shake my head. It was the first time I’d ever had a child whose name was spelled “Jorge.” I’d had a student named George before, but I’d never seen this particular spelling. Can you imagine the puzzled look I received when I called this little guy “Hor-heh”? I was so certain the name was Spanish that I even trilled the r! Oh my!

What tips do you have for getting a handle on student names?

Happily,
Diane

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You’re in a store and you hear a high-pitched squeal or an audible gasp followed by your teacher name: “Ms. Badden? Ms. Badden!” Instructions often follow: “Wait right here. I’ve got to show you to my mom!” In this case I waited patiently in the frozen food aisle as the child enthusiastically tugged her parent toward me. “Look! It’s Ms. Badden. She’s in the store!” Thank goodness my hair was combed and I wasn’t wearing my favorite pair of sweatpants!

This weekend I witnessed a teacher sighting that made me chuckle. A youngster spotted his teacher with a man and a baby. The teacher’s identity was enthusiastically shared with the parent. The information about the man and baby was shared in a whisper of shock and concern. Don’t you just love kids!

Have a great day! If you’ve been sighted and would like to share your stories, please do. And remember that today is the last day to enter our latest book giveaway. See “Storytime Selections” for details.

Happily,

Diane

Congratulations to Joan, our contest winner!

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There’s something magical about storytime, isn’t there? I loved reading aloud to my students and witnessing their responses to literature. Even my most reserved students opened up during a great story! I’ll never forget the day a colleague stepped into my room during a bout of hysterical laughter. With her hands placed firmly on her hips, she declared, “What in the world are you reading now?”

So what is your favorite story to read aloud? It’s hard to choose just one, isn’t it? Well, I say buckle down and make your selection. Here’s why! Each person who posts a favorite read-aloud story before the end of Monday, August 9, will be entered in a drawing for a free book from The Mailbox Books. One lucky person wins a free book of her choice, and everyone collects a super read-aloud list for back-to-school. How’s that for a back-to-school bargain?

Happily,

Diane

Congratulations to Joan, our contest winner!

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You know the three Rs, right? Reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic. (I mean, really, what teacher would approve of ‘rithmetic as a word anyway? ) Well, I’m proposing a new R that I believe is key to successful classroom management. Drumroll, please…routines!

Whatcha think? Is this a decent idea? I truly believe that kids feel most self-assured in classrooms with established routines. I don’t mean to suggest that everything be a routine. Where’s the fun in that? (Well, frankly, there is no fun in that!) But I do think every well-managed classroom incorporates routines of some sort.

Let me know what you think. And, if you’d like, tell us about a classroom routine or two that have improved your classroom management.

Hooray for routines!

Diane

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Should my reading table be at the front or back of my classroom? What’s the best location for my sensory table? Where should I put my classroom library? Laying out a classroom isn’t for wimps, is it?

Every teacher wants his or her classroom to be set up for optimal learning and classroom management. Perhaps the biggest challenge in meeting this goal is being aware of the many things that need to be considered. For example, there once was a teacher who was quite pleased with her classroom layout until she realized she’d left no room for her students to line up. Yep, that was me! This consideration completely slipped my mind.

What are your tips and strategies for classroom layout? Think about the teacher who is setting up a classroom for the first time, the teacher who is moving into a different classroom, or the teacher who is looking to improve the layout of her existing classroom. How can you help? Are there certain considerations that drive your classroom layout? Where do you start?

To thank you for sharing your ideas, all posts made before the end of Friday, August 6, will be entered in a drawing for a free copy of our classroom management book Super Simple Classroom Management.

Good luck!
Diane

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One of my favorite Sunday activities, when time allows for it, is to plop on the sofa and flip through the Sunday paper. This week, I plopped and flipped. First, I sorted the ads into two piles: a read-later pile and a recycle pile. Next up was the Parade insert, a fave of mine.

As soon as I spied the insert, my interest was captured. Why, you ask? Okay, I’ll admit it—there was a handsome actor on the front cover! A nanosecond later I was reading the related article. It was a great read, especially the part that described the actor’s admiration for his former teachers. He credits his teachers for his current career path, explaining that it was their nudging that helped him find his way. And check out this quote from the actor himself:

“The power a teacher has to influence someone is so great. I can’t think of a profession I have more respect for.”

I agree wholeheartedly!

Just had to share,

Diane

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