Classroom Management for Secondary Teachers #2, Old School Rules to Run a Classroom, Teacher Tips

[@jillwilson2948]

Great advice. One thing to consider when setting up a seating chart alphabetically is that the students with A/B/C last names have been seated in the front of the classroom for years. Students with W/X/Y/Z last names are always in the back of the classroom. I set up my seating chart in reverse alpha order so those with end of alphabet names can experience the front of the classroom. The comments I've received from these students have been amazing and eye opening. They've just experience school like never before. Something to consider.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Great point, Jill! I also like to use an unconventional desk arrangement (more on that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6GogWiIe7WCmc0), which helps ease things for the end-of-alphabet folks, like Wilsons and (to a lesser degree) Randazzos. :)

[@dc06717]

Yes! Assign seats! Students want to know they have a place. They don’t have to scan the room to see where they belong.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Diane Clawson Yup! And they don’t have the added stress of navigating the unwritten social rules of Teenage Land. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@TheAngryTeacher]

@@laurarandazzo1158 I don't assign seats. I let them sit where ever they want, so I can tell who will be the clowns, who wants to sit next to their talking friends, who wants to sit alone, etc. to move them, if I have to. :) They tend to keep the seats or become comfortable by the end of the first month. I do agree that some folks need to assign though. :)

[@AwakenedSon]

2:28 - Brilliant point. Adapting to following rules is a good skill in a world full of systems.

[@lewcalhoun6384]

Thank you so much. As a first year teacher, I was all set to let the students help decide what the rules were going to be. You are so right that when they get into the real world they will not have that option. As a high school Business Education teacher I try to run my classroom like a business and when I owned my business, I received feedback, but I made the rules.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Lew Calhoun Absolutely, Lew. I had to learn the hard way, it seems. :)

[@teachergeeks8357]

Kids setting their own rules is as ineffective as kids creating their own marking rubrics. And man, I wish I had gone back to seating charts this year. I'll defo do it next year! Thanks for the tips.

[@bluubird7077]

Abbreviated: I am so glad that I found your channel. I was (am) desperate for this content, honesty, and practical example(s). Thank you.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

I'm glad you found me, too! Welcome to the party. ❤️

[@KafoopleLand]

Here in Australia they used to tell us not to smile until Easter. I agree with your discussion on this concept wholeheartedly! :)

[@albertoramos9586]

I can't stop watching, it's so great to have discovered your videos 😍

[@GarlandWright]

She is my teacher hero.

[@heatherbaker-sullivan9870]

Great video - keeping it real. I am in 4th year of middle school and started out the same way - inviting input on rules. This year, one rule to really stick - Give Respect, Get Respect. A hole punched list of procedures that they can put in their binders and refer back to every day. Then a chart at the front of the room - "What it Looks Like" heading one column "What it Sounds Like" heading another column. Every time we have to stop the class because of someone testing the waters or just not remembering, we will record the behavior we WANT to see in general terms and that way their experiences in the classroom is the input.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Sounds like a formula for success to me, Heather. Go get 'em! ;)

[@jo-annecrossley2698]

Love it! I've been teaching 22 years and have same ideas.. I love your videos!

[@TeacherInspirationStation]

That's a good point. In the real world, we don't create our rules. Great tips! 👍

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Teacher Inspiration Station Thanks for watching, T.I.S.! I appreciate it. :)

[@KateTheSleepyTeacher]

I also think it’s more about not trying to be their friend but rather building relationships with your students. Consistency is key. . Loved this video :)

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Ab-so-lutely! Nailed it.

[@KateTheSleepyTeacher]

Laura Randazzo I got my credential in the early 2000’s. I think that a lot of new teachers are not being taught or guided through good classroom management now a days. Old school definitely has its benefits , lol

[@laurarandazzo1158]

TheSleepy Teacher I’ve definitely heard from a lot of newbies over on my blog that classroom management is one of their biggest struggles. We can do a LOT more to support those folks.

[@KateTheSleepyTeacher]

Laura Randazzo I agree. It is a bit alarming that so many struggle with this. Maybe it just came naturally to me and over the years I’ve continued to better my craft, but I feel like I started with a much stronger understanding than most of the newbies today

[@laurarandazzo1158]

TheSleepy Teacher You’ve given me the seed on an idea for a future video series, for sure. My project plate is full right now, but I just added this to my idea notebook. Thanks for the reminder.

[@mblessed3812]

I so appreciate you! I'm a rookie teacher and I LOVE the sincere passion (and learnings for me) you've shared here. Respect!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Mr. HogansClassroom My pleasure, Mr. Hogan. Welcome to the party! :)

[@jessicakahan9203]

I am so thankful that you made this video series! I love the assigned seats on index cards idea, and I plan to implement tomorrow; thanks so much!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Jessica Kahan My pleasure, Jessica! So glad you found my channel. :)

[@carolinekelly3415]

Hello, thank you for sharing your guidance on classroom management. You are appreciated. I would teach Primary students only.

[@Everyyoueverymiau]

You must be the kind of teacher I admired when I was a student. This is great advice and I'm sure to keep it in mind for the future.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Very kind of you to say! Thanks for watching. :)

[@Dragona31x]

School sucks

[@ozzmansymes-hull6370]

Such a useful video to come across! Thanks for sharing!

[@rploharz]

As a student-teacher I

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Rachel Ploharz Welcome to the fun side of the teacher’s desk, Rachel. So glad you found me!

[@nicolematino7143]

I do the same things!! Love this

[@dandiaz19934]

Thank you so much for the practical tips!

[@kahinaaitdjoudioufella64]

Very lucide pieces of advice thank you

[@mrpuh777]

2020 and totally agree!!!!!

[@Stoiclinguist]

Excellent tips! Thanks Laura!

[@roxga626]

i just found you and im so happy ! truly saving me lol

[@Acinomnieves3]

Where were you when I got hired 5 years ago ! I have started doing all these things because no one said these were good

[@laurarandazzo1158]

I know, right? Let's just keep it simple, folks. Glad you found my channel, Acinomnieves3! :)

[@AdeleRaemer]

Hi Laura! I am making a playlist to share with teachers here, for classroom management. You, of course, are starring in it! Could you please point me to Classroom Management Tips #1?

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Of course, Adele! Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3aZqJdje7t7hqc Thanks for including me in your party. :)

[@AdeleRaemer]

Laura Randazzo thanks! I saw that one, but the title confused me.

[@WayOverBooked]

Im going to school for secondary education. Does anyone know if she has any videos about these stages?

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Hey, Kylie! It's been a l-o-n-g time since I took my credentialing classes, so I don't have a lot to add there, I'm afraid. I did, though, post a job interview Q&A over my blog last year that you might find useful for the not-too-distant future: laurarandazzo.com/2016/09/27/and-my-actual-answers/ Hope this helps. :) Laura

[@KafoopleLand]

So true

[@CreatedforLearning]

Old school, FTW!!!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

+Created for Learning Heck yeah! That's how we roll around here.

[@KristiThomas211]

May I link to your video for a grant project that I am doing for Texas A&M University, please? If so, how would you prefer it to be cited?

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Sure, Kristi! That's fine with me. Glad my ideas might be helpful. As far as citation, just use whatever format your application/school requires - APA, MLA, etc. Good luck! :)

[@KristiThomas211]

@@laurarandazzo1158 Thanks!

[@abitupthehudson]

I can see where the misuse of the word 'there's' comes from in our youth. I wondered about that for years. Why were people, who seemed to be educated, saying things like "there's cars over there for sale" or "there's a lot of people who ...."? I know that communication it the bottom line and I constantly try to overlook my critiquing, which sometimes get vocalized.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Oh yeah, there's (Ha! See what I did there?) definitely a good deal of verbal sandpapering that happens in casual conversation. It even creeps into my formal writing, sad to say. I'm regularly going back to fix my "there's" to "there are." I think it's because my tongue doesn't like to make the double "-re, are" sounds in a row; it feels like a speed bump when I'm talking. And don't get me started on the ridiculous number of times I say, "like," or "um," in my videos. (*grimace*) Still, I figure the over-arching message is more important to deliver to KZbin Land than to obsess about the flaws in my delivery. I'd like to promise that I'll get better in future videos, but I honestly probably won't. I'm already self-conscious enough on days that I film. Thanks for watching and commenting! You're saying the things I often think, for sure.

[@bruceleibee6268]

Valuable advice overshadowed by an unprofessional video shot in the car and quit saying "rockin' it old school," you sound silly.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

I've taught high school students for 20+ years, Bruce - I *am* silly. Also, my car is the only quiet place in my world where I can sit for five minutes without being interrupted. My life is what it is...

[@elizabethl6987]

Wow... Yes, how dare she use repitition (a proven technique) with the very theme of her video. And she seems far more professional to me than a grumpy old man who leaves hate comments on youtube videos. No offense, but this is a dreadful comment under a lovely video.

[@donnacrawford14]

KAREN GO HOME