The First Days of School: A True Tell-All Book!

It is not, say the authors, necessary to read The First Days of School "from cover to cover. Browse through the book to familiarize yourself with its structure so that you can refer to the right parts when you need help." Good advice! Let's browse through the five units together and examine a few key ideas from each. Bear in mind that the book includes hundreds of practical suggestions on topics ranging from "How to Dress for Success" to "How to Introduce Yourself to Your Class." The ones mentioned here are just a few of my personal favorites.

FIVE UNITS AT A GLANCE

Unit A: Basic Understandings -- The Teacher

(How to understand why you're teaching in the first place)

The five chapters in Unit A are primarily concerned with how to become an effective teacher. "Effective teachers affect lives," say the Wongs, and share three essential characteristics. Effective teachers

1. exhibit positive expectations for all students,

2. establish good classroom management techniques, and

3. design lessons for student mastery.

In addition, the authors say, effective teachers use all the resources available to them. They use "proven research-based practices" and they incorporate the successful practices of other effective teachers into their own classrooms.

"Here's the biggest secret to teaching success," the book whispers, "Beg, Borrow, and Steal!"

Unit B: First Characteristic -- Positive Expectations
(How to motivate and inspire your students)

To be successful, the authors say, students must begin each school year with expectations of success -- expectations fostered by the entire educational community. "Celebrating the 'First Day of School' must become a tradition of all educational systems," the Wongs say. Some suggestions they provide for the first day of school include these:

• Organize a 'First Day of School' Celebration.

• Stand at the bus stop and welcome the students. (Wave and smile like it's Aunt Mabel who you have not seen in 14 years.)

• Stand at the entrance to the school so that no one will fail to receive a warm, friendly welcome.

• Bring out the school band to play at the curb or entry.

• Hang up a welcoming banner.

• Distribute a school newspaper extolling the virtues of the school and the wonderful spirit of the teachers and students.

Unit C: Second Characteristic -- Classroom Management
(How to manage a classroom that is uncontrollable)

The ten chapters in Unit C focus on the characteristics -- and benefits -- of a well-managed classroom. The effective teacher, say the Wongs, begins the year not with an activity, but by establishing classroom management procedures.

"Student achievement at the end of the year is directly related to the degree to which the teacher establishes good control of classroom procedures in the very first week of the school year," they say.

The First Days of School cites four characteristics of a well-managed classroom:

1. Students are deeply involved with their work;

2. Students know what is expected of them and are generally successful;

3. There is relatively little wasted time, confusion, or disruption; and

4. The climate of the classroom is work-oriented but relaxed and pleasant.

The book also suggests specific techniques teachers can employ to ensure a well-managed classroom. Those include posting assignments, making sure students know assignments are based on objectives, and knowing how to praise and encourage students.

Unit D: The Third Characteristic -- Lesson Mastery
(How to have your students do their assignments and pass their tests)

This unit is concerned with how effective teachers ensure student achievement. "Student success in the subject matter," say the authors, "will be the result of how well the teacher designs lessons and checks for mastery." To teach for mastery, an effective teacher must know how to

• design lessons in which students will learn a concept or skill and

• evaluate the learning to determine whether students have mastered the concept or skill.

The key to teaching for accomplishment is using structured assignments with clear objectives, say the Wongs, and they provide a simple formula for writing those objectives:

• Step 1. Pick a verb (from Bloom's taxonomy) identifying the kind of thinking skill needed to achieve the objective.

• Step 2. Complete the sentence with the skill that must be performed or mastered.

And keep in mind the three major characteristics of an effective objective:

• Structure -- a consistent format;

• Preciseness -- clear, succinct sentences; and

• Accomplishment -- a statement of what is to be achieved.

Unit E: Future Understandings -- The Professional
(How to cope with the years still ahead of you and retire with dignity)

Unit E emphasizes the personal benefits of becoming an effective teacher and explains the difference between a teacher and a professional educator. "A professional," the Wongs say, "is defined not by the business a person is in, but by the way a person does business." A professional educator, they note, says, "What do I need to know in order to do what I need to do?"

Once again, the Wongs' advice is based on specific techniques, rather than educational buzzwords. To be a professional educator, they say, teachers must "constantly learn and grow." They can do this by

• joining or organizing professional support groups,

• listening to others,

• reading professional literature,

• observing other effective teachers,

• participating in professional conferences, and

• using proven research.

THE FINAL ASSESSMENT

The First Days of School isn't a book of activities, lesson plans, formulas, or pneumonic devices you can teach. It's a book of procedures and techniques that will help you ensure that your students get the most from your teaching. It isn't a book filled with abstract educational theory. It's filled with practical suggestions for achieving what you're striving for. It isn't a book about how students learn. It's a book about how -- and why -- effective teachers teach.

Moreover, it's a book that is easy to read -- and browse. The layout is clean and user-friendly. The type size and abundance of white space make it easy on the eyes. The photographs, illustrations, and variety of type styles highlight important ideas and concepts. And like a Joke-of-the-Day calendar, you can pick it up anytime and find another gem of an idea.

On the title page of The First Days of School, the Wongs say, "Some people go into teaching because it is a job. Some people go into teaching to make a difference." This book is clearly for the teacher who wants to make a difference!

MY FAVORITE QUOTES FROM THE WONGS

"The most important day of a person's education is the first day of school, not Graduation Day."

"Teaching is a craft, a highly skilled craft, that can be learned."

"Education should be challenging, exciting, engrossing, and thought-provoking, but not fun. If you believe that learning should be fun, you are doing the students a disservice. School is where you go to learn skills that help make you a productive citizen and grow to your fullest potential as a human being."

"The more the school and the family are joined as partners in educating young people, the greater the child's chance for success."

"A well-managed classroom is a task-oriented and predictable environment."

"If a student cannot demonstrate learning or achievement, the student has not failed -- we have failed."

To order The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher, by Harry and Rosemary Wong, write or call Harry K. Wong Publications, 943 North Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, CA 94943. Phone: 650-965-7896.

Article by Linda Starr
Education World®
Copyright © 1999 Education World