An update on the January 4 post

In the early January post I lamented (and worried) about the 42 students at the end of the day. After 5 weeks that has shrunk somewhat to a mere 38. Did I mention Period 5, the class before that one? In that class there are 39 students, of which 30 are boys.

While both scenarios are far from ideal, I have found them to be pretty well behaved. I think classroom management always goes back to the idea of the teacher being prepared, and it helps if she or he also sets up a familiar routine from which to operate.

As far as being prepared is concerned, I am motivated less by the promise of reward than I am by the avoidance of pain. The prospect of 40 ill-behaved freshman is not a pleasant scenario so it motivates me to be spot-on ready, at 7:25 for that first period class, everyday.