Question Details
I want students to do activities to get to know me and each other but my school wants me to do curriculum work from the beginning.
Answer
Some schools want students to get straight into the curriculum, while others might prefer to give students a softer start to the term. Children feel safe and settled when there is routine and predictability, so whatever the school policy, if you are consistently calm and pleasant but firm, they are likely to feel safe and secure with you. I don’t think it matters whether you start with curriculum or not – the important thing is YOU! You need to be pleasant but firm. If the children are clear on how they should behave and how they should work, they will feel secure; they will know the boundaries. For this to happen, you have to be consistent. If a student goes outside the boundaries, then you have to calmly bring them back in, every time. And if they are doing the right thing, then praise them often, so that they know what you like and they know that they can get attention for doing the right thing. (and they don’t have to be naughty to get your attention)
