Introducing yourself

Good morning. I'm Mr. or Ms. [your name], and I'm your teacher today.

Your teacher left a plan, and we're going to follow it. Here's what we're doing first.

Then: Write your name and the day's first task on the board before you speak.

Teaching your quiet signal

When I raise my hand like this, finish your sentence, stop talking and look at me.

Let's practice it once. Thank you. That's what it looks like.

Then: Practice it twice in the first five minutes, then use it the same way every time.

Taking attendance in a room you don't know

I'm going to call names so I can learn them. Say "here" and tell me if I say yours wrong. I want to get it right.

Then: Mark what the seating chart says, not what a student tells you about someone else.

"Our teacher lets us..."

Thanks for telling me. Today we're doing it the way the plan says.

I'll write it in my note, and your teacher can decide for next time.

Then: Don't argue the point. Write it in the note.

"Where's our teacher? When are they back?"

Your teacher is out today, and they left me a plan for you.

I don't know when they'll be back, but I'll tell them how well you worked.

Then: Don't guess or share why the teacher is out.

A student won't start the work

(Quietly, at their desk) Which part do you want to start with, the first question or the last one?

I'll come back in two minutes to see how it's going.

Then: Keep it private and give a choice. Come back when you said you would.

A student says "I'm not doing it"

(Quietly) That's your choice. My job is to tell your teacher what each person did today.

If you change your mind, the work is right here. I'd like to write that you got it done.

Then: Don't argue in front of the class. Write it in the note, as what happened.

"I'm done. What do I do now?"

Great. Check two answers with the key in your head: would you change any?

Then pick from the board: read your own book, or the extra sheet.

Then: Have the early-finisher choice on the board before the work starts.

"This is too hard"

Show me the part where you got stuck.

Do the first one with me, and try the next one on your own. I'll check it.

Then: If the work is truly new to the class, switch to review and say so in the note.

Copying a neighbor's answers

(Quietly) I need to see what you know, not what your neighbor knows.

Move your paper over here and keep going on your own.

Then: Note it for the teacher as what you saw. Don't accuse in front of the class.

A group is talking about anything but the work

What question are you on? Show me.

You've got five minutes to finish that one. I'll come back and you can tell me the answer.

The class won't quiet down

(Signal, then wait in silence.)

Thank you to the people who are ready. I'll wait for everyone.

Then: Don't talk over the noise. Wait, then use the signal again. Lower your own voice.

Phones out

Phones follow the school's rule today: away and out of sight, please.

If you need it for the work, ask me first.

Then: Ask the office what the school's phone rule is before the first class.

Everyone wants the bathroom at once

One person at a time, with the pass, the way your teacher does it.

When they're back, the next person can go.

Then: Write down who leaves and when. Follow the school's pass rule.

A student wants to leave the room

Where do you need to go? Let me check that's OK first.

Take the pass, and come straight back.

Then: Only send a student where the school's rules allow. Ask the office if you're unsure.

Students swapping seats

I'm using the seating chart so I can learn your names. Back to your own seat, please.

Thank you. That helps me a lot.

Swearing or rude words

(Calmly) That word isn't OK in class.

Let's keep going. Where were we?

Then: Don't repeat the word or make a show of it. Write it in the note.

A student is rude to you

(Calmly, quietly) I heard that. I'm going to let your teacher know how today went.

Right now, I need you to get back to the work.

Then: Stay calm and don't take it personally. Write the words down for the teacher.

Clean-up at the end

Five minutes on the timer: everything back where it was, papers in the pile, chairs in.

When the room looks like it did this morning, we'll line up.

Lining up and walking in the hall

Line up the way your teacher has you line up. Show me.

Quiet voices in the hall: other classes are working.

A student is upset or crying

(Quietly) You seem upset. Do you want a minute at your seat, or to tell me what's wrong?

You don't have to talk about it. I'm here if you need me.

Then: If it seems serious, or the student asks for help, call the office or the counselor.

"She's bothering me!"

Thanks for telling me. Is anyone hurt or in danger?

If not, try telling them "please stop". If it keeps happening, tell me again.

Teasing another student

(Calmly) That's not how we talk to each other in here.

(Later, privately) I'm going to let your teacher know what I heard.

Then: Check on the student who was teased, privately. Write it in the note.

A parent or another adult at the door

Hi. I'm the substitute today. Could you go to the office? They'll help you there.

I can't let a student leave with anyone from the classroom.

Then: Call the office to say someone came to the door. Never release a student from the room.

Another teacher asks how it's going

Mostly well. Could I ask you one thing: who do you call here when you need help in a room?

Then: Note the name. The teacher next door is your best help.

A fight is starting

(To the class, loudly and calmly) Everyone, move back to the wall. Now.

(To a reliable student, or on the phone) Call the office: we need help in room [number].

Then: Call the office first. Keep the other students back and away. Don't step between students. Write down what you saw.

Someone is hurt

(Calmly) Stay where you are. I'm getting help.

(On the phone) This is the sub in room [number]. A student is hurt. Please send someone now.

Then: Call the office first and follow what they tell you. Don't give medicine or first aid beyond what the school tells you to.

A student says they feel sick or can't breathe

Thank you for telling me. I'm calling the office now.

(On the phone) A student in room [number] says they feel sick. Can someone come or tell me where to send them?

Then: Call the office first. Never give medicine. Send a student to the nurse only the way the school says.

A student says something that sounds like a threat

(Calmly) I heard what you said. I need to let the office know.

(On the phone, away from the class) I need an administrator in room [number], please.

Then: Call the office first. Write down the exact words and the time. Don't promise to keep it secret.

A student walks out of the room or the building

(On the phone) This is the sub in room [number]. A student just left the room and I don't know where they went.

Then: Call the office first. Stay with the rest of the class: don't leave them to follow. Write the time down.

An adult you don't know is in the building or the room

Hello. Can I help you? The office is the place to sign in.

(On the phone) There's an adult I don't know at room [number]. Can someone come?

Then: Call the office first. Keep the students in the room.

A fire drill or a lockdown

(Fire drill) Leave everything. Line up at the door, quietly, and follow me.

(Lockdown) Away from the door, quiet, and down. Follow my directions.

Then: Follow the school's plan by the door. Take the attendance list and count students out and back. Call the office, or report to it, the way the plan says.