Lesson 1

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
I want to create a positive and optimistic learning environment for my
students. By emitting this positivity throughout my classroom, students
will be willing to work harder to achieve their goals and become
successful. It is important to keep positive expectations such as I
believe that every child can learn and will achieve to his or her fullest
potential (Wong and Wong, 36). If you go into the class with this
thought, and teach with it in mind, you can expect a successful
outcome from your students.
1. Arrive to class on time
2. Head straight to your assigned seat with no talking and begin
Bellwork
3. Come to class prepared with required materials
4. Be courteous and polite to the teacher and fellow students
5. Be attentive and engaged in classroom activities and learning
6. Turn off all electronic devices
7. Follow all school rules and procedures
8. Everyone will complete a Student Helper job at least twice. It is
your responsibility to know what the responsibilities of each job
are and to follow through appropriately
9. Wait until the teacher formally dismisses you from class (the bell
does not dismiss the class).
10.
When participating in a non-class activity (fire drills,
assemblies, etc.) remain quiet and attentive to understand what
you are to do
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS
It is important to stay optimistic throughout teaching. If you expect to
be successful, you are constantly alert and aware of opportunities to
help you be successful (Wong and Wong, 36).
1. Immediately begin Bellwork when arriving to assigned seat
2. Spend time outside of class working on assignments and any
homework
3. Ask questions and share appropriate thoughts and opinions
during class
4. If you are struggling, seek help before or after class or set up a
time to meet with the teacher to review concepts
5. Quarterly progress reports will be distributed. If the student has a
C or lower, tutoring is mandatory
6. Extra credit will rarely be offered. Take advantage of it when it is
available to you

7. If you are finished with your work early, please refer to the What
Now? bulletin board for suggestions on what you can do.
FIRST DAY INTRO
Name, room number and subject will be written on the board, as well
as name cards on each chair so students know where to sit (Wong &
Wong, 79).
It is important to communicate positive expectations to eliminate any
fears a student may have (Wong and Wong, 36).
Hello! My name is Miss Firment and I am very excited to be
teaching your class this year! We will have an enjoyable time in class
this year, filled with lots of learning and new adventures to have. I
have a great deal of fun activities planned that I know you will all enjoy
as long as we work hard and work together as a team!
You all have a Music Handbook on your seats. Please read pages
1-5 of the handbook with your parents and have them sign it. We will
discuss any questions or concerns tomorrow. These include policies
that have to do with grading, behavior, how to act in class and much
more.
I grew up in Pennsylvania and attended college at Seton Hill
University for music education. I play the piano and percussion and
teach private lessons on the weekends. I grew up in a musical
environment, and all my family members play at least one instrument.
For more about me, you can look at the All About Me bulletin board in
the back of the room. This is where your first assignment comes in: I
would like you to write, draw a picture or bring in a picture that
describes you and some of your favorite things! We will put these
items on our Class of Winners bulletin board.
Now, lets get to know some names! Starting at the left side of
the room, I would like for you to stand up, state your name and tell us
your favorite instrument, song or singer! Ready? Lets go!
FIRST DAY SCHEDULE
1. Greet each student at the door and inform them that their names
are on the seats in which they are to sit (Wong & Wong, 79)
2. Introduce yourself to the students
3. Take roll and ask each student to share one of his or her favorite
things (song, instrument or music artist)
4. Review the Classroom Handbook (procedures and expectations)
and class schedule throughout the year (learning concepts and
activities)
a. Procedures will be reviewed over multiple days, including
entering the room, emergency procedures, how to behave
during class instruction, what to do when working in
groups, what happens when the class gets too loud,

turning in homework, what to do if you are finished with an

assignment, the proper heading for homework
assignments, what to do when you are absent, dismissal
time, classroom visitors, using the restroom and what to do
if you are tardy.
5. Ask the students if they have any questions or comments about
the class or the handbook
NAMES
On the first day, I will place name cards on the seats where students
are to sit (Wong & Wong, 79).
When learning names, I will be sure to pronounce each and every
name correctly (ask students if you are saying it correctly). A persons
name is personal, and failure to pronounce a name correctly will tell
students that they do not have to respect each others names (Wong,
111).
I will keep a seating chart near the front while teaching (the chart has
the students name and where they sit). I will continue to use this chart
until you are confident in that you know the names. Whenever seats
are arranged, a new seating chart will be created and I will keep it with
me while teaching until Im used to the new seats.
GETTING ACQUAINTED ACTIVITY
1. Each student finds a partner
2. In two minutes, each student tells the other facts about
him or herself
3. Do this three times
4. After the last rotation, return to seats
5. The teacher will say something along the lines of,
Someone tell me something about Brandon. Students
who talked to Brandon must raise their hands and reveal
one fact they have learned about him
6. This will continue for each student until no one has their
hand raised
CLASSROOM HELPERS
New students are chosen to rotate positions every Monday at the
beginning of class. Names will be posted at the front of the room for
reference.
1. Line Leader: At the end of class, the teacher will chose one
student (based on best behavior) to lead the students out of the
classroom
2. Office Runner : This student will be called upon to help the
teacher out with errands that are to be completed at the office.
Errands include making copies, delivering notes and helping
fellow students to the nurses office

3. Paper Passer : The student will gather copies of worksheets from

the printer (or teacher) and pass them out to fellow classmates
4. Teachers Helper : This student will be instructed to start class
discussions and review the lesson plan with the class ONLY when
the teacher is out of the room. They are also to provide help to
the substitute
5. Absentee Helper : This student will be instructed to collect all
worksheets for the absent students and place them in the MakeUp folder. They are also to take notes for the student. If there is
more than one student absent, then copies will be made of the
notes.
SELECTING STUDENTS
For jobs, I will select students before class by randomly looking
off of the attendance sheet. After being chosen, I will check their
names off so I will know for the future that they have completed the
job before.
For class discussions, I will use the Spin the Wheel app, which is
a spinner that has all the students names on it. This helps students to
be prepared to answer questions and keeps them attentive during
class.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?
id=com.purveyingplanets.spinthewheel&hl=en
RETURNING TO TASK
Verbal cue : Simply ask students, Ok, will somebody please tell
me where we left off and what we need to do next? or Who can tell
me something about ________ (the topic we were learning)?
CLASSROOM VISITORS
A reminder will be made either the day before or at the
beginning of class that a visitor will be present. Students will be
reminded to be polite and on their best behavior no matter what the
visitor says or does. The class will warmly greet the visitor as well as
give a goodbye at the end of the visit. If the visitor is unexpected,
students are still expected to be mannerly.
My students are my first priority, not the visitor(s) (Wong and
Wong, 242). The students and the teacher alike should remain on task
and follow the daily agenda
GUEST TEACHERS
Although a detailed lesson plan will be left for the substitute to
follow, students are required to offer their help whenever needed. The
Teachers Helper will introduce him or herself and provide help.
Students are also reminded to be on their best behavior and to
cooperate with the substitute and complete all work assigned.

TEACHER AWAY
If the teacher is away from the room, students are to remain on
task, on good behavior and complete all assignments and activities for
the day. The daily agenda will be posted on the board so they know
what to complete next.
BATHROOM USE
If students must use the restroom, they are to hold up a peace
sign. This is a way to communicate to the teacher that they need to
use the restroom without interrupting class.
Before they leave, they are to grab the bathroom pass (one for
the girls room and one for the boys). The pass is a laminated card with
Girls or Boys Bathroom on a piece of yarn. The students will put it
around their necks and go to the restroom. Upon returning, the student
will hang up the pass and use a squirt of hand sanitizer located next to
the passes.
SUDDEN ILLNESS
Provide the student with tissues (if necessary) and have the
Office Runner assist them to the nurses office.
If a student is injured, a first aid kit with multiple band-aids will
be located in the back of the room. The teacher will assist the student
in taking care of him or herself while the class continues to work or
completes and activity off of the What Now?! bulletin board.
ORGANIZE ME
1. Personal Portfolio : Add new pictures, ideas, classroom activities
and additions to philosophies
2. Bulletin Boards : Change whenever a new concept is introduced
into the classroom
3. Classroom Set-Up : Move students seats quarterly (semi-circle)
4. Bell Work Ideas : Make sure the activities correspond with the
lessons reviewed in class (My favorite tune we listened to
yesterday was ______ because________)