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Teacher's Room Question of the Month
To help staff get to know each other better, I ask a question every month. I write the question on a large dry-erase board that is located in the faculty lounge. (I have sectioned off part of the dry-erase board to accomodate this activity.) Faculty members are free to record their answers to the monthly question. Staff enjoy writing a response and reading the responses of their collegues. Examples of questions include
On faculty-meeting days I cover up the responses to the monthly question. I choose one of the teacher's responses to share and ask the staff "Who said...?" The teacher who correctly identifies the staff member who gave that response wins a prize. In addition, the staff member whose response was chosen also wins.
Thanks to Fran Eggleston, principal at McDole Elementary School in Montgomery, Illinois
Seeing STARS for Good Behavior
If a teacher is looking for a way to improve classroom discipline, you might suggest this teacher-tested idea. It's a program called STARS -- Students That Are Really Serious. Every time a teacher catches a student doing something positive, he or she gets a star for their chart. Stars are given for being on task, turning in homework, participating in class, helping out the teacher, and so on. When students earn a specific number of stars, they are able to choose from rewards such as a homework pass, sitting in the beanbag chair during class, listening to music as they work, a class period in the library for independent study, or a food item (candy or chips) With the STAR program, the teacher reports, students even remind each other to have correct behavior now.
Source: Ellen McClurg, WANTED: Rewards, Rewards, and More Rewards!)
Conference Chrysanthemums
Purchase fresh flowers for teachers' desks during parent-teacher conference week.
Source: "Sixty-Five Ways to Recognize Teachers During Teacher Appreciation Week -- and All Year Long" (EducationWorld.com -- April 22, 2003)
Welcoming New Students
We conduct a new-student orientation during the weeks before school starts. This event is a huge success. We send out flyers a couple weeks before the event, which provides parents an opportunity to purchase school uniforms and supplies and to become familiar with our school's expectations. We discuss first-day procedures, lockers, physical education clothing, attendance, and general school rules. In addition, the athletics department gives an overview of their activities and how students can participate in them; guidance gives an overview of its program; Student Council members welcome new arrivals; cheerleaders perform for the crowd and get them excited about football season; and the parent organization (PTSA) welcomes new parents and recruits parents for upcoming events.
Source: Marie Kostick, "Schools Find Many Ways to Say 'Welcome Back'" (EducationWorld.com -- August 19, 2003)
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