These Survival Sheets are one-page guides for the parts of teaching that cause the most stress. Many of these challenges are predictable but not well covered in teacher preparation programs. The sheets break those problems down into practical, printable steps teachers can use immediately.
Survival Sheet #1: Establishing strong student/teacher relationships
Strong, appropriate relationships make nearly every other part of teaching easier. When students trust you, classroom management improves and instruction goes more smoothly. Trust comes from consistency and genuine care, and it disappears when adults are inconsistent, reactive, or fake.
Survival Sheet #2: Setting rules
Rules are the fixed boundaries of the classroom. These are the never-changing requirements that apply to all students in the room. They may also be called boundaries, limits, or policies. Expectations, in contrast, are the behaviors students are learning to function within those boundaries. They are often called procedures or routines.
Both rules and expectations must be decided before students arrive. When rules are unclear or expectations are taught on the fly, students fill in the gaps themselves. This usually occurs in ways that create conflict and lead to lost learning time.
Survival Sheet #3: Setting expectations
Expectations are the behaviors you want to happen in your classroom – but will need to teach and reteach until students learn to do them consistently. They contrast with rules, which never change and always invite consequences. Expectations are often called procedures or routines.
Most problem behaviors aren’t defiance. Instead, they often stem from students learning how to accomplish the tasks set before them. Clear expectations help you bridge this gap – and help your classroom run smoothly.
Survival Sheet #4: Designing an effective classroom layout
Good classroom design eases the teacher’s work. A well-designed classroom makes it easier to stay calm and in control.
Survival Sheet #7: Providing student feedback
After students complete their work, you need to let them know what they did well and what they can improve. Good feedback is specific, actionable, and timely.
It’s also vital that your feedback not be so time consuming that it leads you to burn yourself out.
Survival Sheet #8: Dealing with student misbehavior
No matter how much they love you or how effective your rules/expectations are, students will sometimes misbehave. You can limit the disruption to your class by handling these moments effectively.
If there’s a Survival Sheet you wish existed, ask for it.