Establishing my expectations

Though provoking

Homework:
Students should be thinking about a book they can use for class reading time.  Section 1 will be reading the book outside of class as well.  (I would like sections 2 and 3 to read outside of class as well, but I need to decide on the best system for tracking their progress.)

Today:
Writing Diagnostic
Students started the State writing diagnostic.  Many will need to finish next week.  I will be submitting the scores but also using the results to help me determine remedial groupings.

Responders:
I introduced the students to the wireless responder system I use in class.  They look like remotes.  I use them for tests and live results.  For example, when a student submits the answers to a test, he gets the score back immediately.  I can then see how the class did question by question so I can see where they had trouble.  They can also be used to poll the class using oral questions.

Since I had discussed my expectations for two days, I figured students would get a perfect on the "quiz" below.  Most did.  I think a few had some trouble using the responders.  Like I said, today was practice.

Mr. Bosler’s Classroom Rules Quiz

 (Yes/No)

1. You are allowed to participate
2. You are allowed to answer questions
3. You are allowed to abuse privileges (hall passes, etc.)
4. You are allowed to call out
5. You are allowed to be prepared (pencils, paper, etc.)
6. You are allowed to helpful
7. You are allowed to make insulting remarks
8. You are allowed to completed homework
9. You are allowed to not be prepared for class
10. You are allowed to be seated and ready to go on time
11. You are allowed to be out of seat without permission
12. You are allowed to be on task and focused during work time
13. You are allowed to work collaboratively in groups
14. You are allowed to be off task
15. You are allowed to Sleep
16. You are allowed to demonstrate a positive and supportive attitude

(I also realize the wording is weird, but they get the idea.)

Getting to know you

Homework: 
Students need to return the signed syllabus sheet.

Today:
I introduced students to "Tell Me Something Good."  Each day I like to start the class by hearing about the positive things in the students' lives.  I have a student type these up as we go.  Lat year I collected about 2000 good things.  This way we have a list we can go to if we want to see something positive.  We also get to know each other and begin to care about each other.  I will post the list when it gets longer.

I tested the students by making them list the positive behaviors I expect and the negative behavior I do not want to see in my classroom.  Since we discussed them yesterday in depth and they read over the syllabus with their parents, they should have done well.  They did OK.  I will test them again tomorrow and really see if they understand my expectations.

Tomorrow we will be writing a diagnostic piece for the State.  It has to be done, so I figured I would get it out of the way. 

First Day of the 2014-2015 School Year

Homework
Students and parents need to read the syllabus and return the last page signed.
Students need to starting looking for a book they will read during independent reading time.

Section 1 Activity Period
I would like you to finish up the assignment we started during the activity period.  I would like you to be ready to present your names tomorrow.  Please use the instructions below from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/top-5-ways-get-know-your-students

"What's In a Name?": Get to Know Students and Parents

This get-to-know-you activity is called "What's In a Name?" It is a fun and easy way for kids to learn each other's names and a little bit about each other. Just give each student a "What's In a Name?" form at the beginning of the year. The form is simple — just a few questions for them to answer OR ask their parents/guardians to help them answer. Without fail, parents enjoy this beginning-of-the-year task. They often write lengthy responses about how special their child's name is to them. I've found it is a great way to get to know the parents as well! 

Here are the questions for "What's In a Name?":
What's your full name?
Were you named after someone?
What does your name mean?
What names did your parents consider before deciding on the one you have?
Why did they choose your name?
What is your name's country of origin? (ex. "Ivan" has Russian origins)
What is your nickname? How did you get that nickname?
If you could change your name, what would you name yourself?
Now.... on the bottom of this paper, please write your name in a creative way. Can you use color? Fancy writing? Swirls? Block letters? A pattern? Design something as special as YOU are!
If possible, please attach a small picture of yourself to this form. (photo will be returned.)
The kids bring back their forms, and everyone gets to share about their name in a Community Circle. I usually have kids tell us their name and then they can choose up to two other pieces of information from their form to share with the class. If a child is shy or nervous, I always allow them to simply share their name without the pressure of sharing the additional information. For some kids, it is stressful enough just to speak their name in front of a new class.