classroom managment checklist - FIRST DAY

The first day of school is a stressful event for teachers and students alike. The anticipation of a new year, the fear of failure and the unknown of new social groups are just a few things that can cause an avalanche of emotions to flood through the amygdala. As The First Days of School says, "Your desire to be an effective teacher will be defined by how you structure a successful first day that will set the stage for an effective classroom throughout the school year" (Wong & Wong, 2018, P.12). With that statement in mind, it is imperative that the first day of school go as smoothly as possible so a successful transition to a new grade can occur for the students.

The checklist below is a detailed walkthrough for my start of the school day. Some items are specific to the first day of school, such as helping lost students find the right classroom, but everything else should be used every day to maintain a consistent classroom environment. Students thrive on procedures and order, and it is no different for an active teacher. Some of the items on the checklist below highlight physical activity before work through walking the dog and maintaining a proper appearance through good hygiene and business attire. 

For the students, the first day of school can be terrifying. For that reason, it is important to be outside the classroom door to welcome every student to class. By being present and inviting, the students will have an initial positive reaction to the class.

One of the most essential parts of designing a unit or lesson is instructor feedback. In order for teachers to grow into master educators, we need to constantly evaluate our teaching strategies and styles. Below is a checklist designed for an administrator or mentor teacher to use in the process of evaluating a daily classroom lesson plan. The reviewer watches the class and assigns a score to the instructor based on their personal observations. A Classroom Managment Checklist is one of the main ways teachers can improve the learning experience for all students.