I teach 9th and 10th grade and I teach these same routines the first day of school every year. I even make them go out of the classroom into the hallway and practice coming into the classroom the way I want it. Because they are high schoolers they always complain about getting up but they do it anyway. Even if it's perfect the first time, I make them do it 2 or 3 more times until I see every.single.student doing it correctly (or for them to practice that perfection). I always have one student that wants to do the most, I just keep it lighthearted and fun and say " I KNOW you can show me, I know you are capable and smart, show the others what I KNOW you can do" and 9/10 they do it right and we move on. I love your channel, thank you for being a positive BLACK role model for me. I wish I could meet you one day :)
So glad I found your channel! I work at a small private Christian school & this will be my first year teaching elementary grade children (2nd). Trying to watch your videos to be the best I can be. 🤗
Thank you for this! Can you talk about the first week of school and when to teach various procedures throughout the week? First year teacher and still trying to think through what procedures to teach the second day, third day, etc. Even thinking through how many to teach in one day!
Love this!!! Soooo so important. Management honestly takes time. I'm still learning! Side note...your energy is everything. Love following your journey! 🤗
You are so right about teaching and modeling routines! I learned this this hard way! I eventually got it, but it took time. I am thinking about how I want to do things for the upcoming school year! I'm extremely nervous! I will just pray and do my best!! Super cute hair btw!!!
I like what you said about modeling your expectations so the students can know what it looks like. It seems obvious, but slacking on the small things can often lead to chaos later on. Keeping high expectations at the start of the year is important to establish culture and responsibility in the classroom. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this!!! I absolutely adore you and respect you as a teacher! I take everything you instill in us and use it in my classroom & it always works!! Please share more behavior management and more of this series you started!!
Your videos are so helpful! Unfortunately we aren't taught this in university so I have to figure things out as I go. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and making it easier for me to learn how to be a better teacher!
Yes! Routines are soooo important. Tedious but completely necessary. My first year I definitely didn’t do any of this and let’s just say my kids ran me for the whole year lol. But I know better now. Literally have to model and show them how to do things. They’re kids! :)
Great information! You are absolutely correct about model, model, model. It will take time but the pay off is worth it. In Ohio we don't know how the new year will look. However, procedures and routine are going to be key in the classroom and if we have to teach virtually. On another note. Where did you purchase your hoodie? I really like it.
I can only imagine how teaching the routines going to look with these new covid changes. I’m constantly thinking how would I acclimate kindergarteners with covid in mind.
I teach high school and this all applies to my classroom also! Except maybe the carpet squares :P Thank you for sharing your ideas and shining your light! I had to watch this video for a Classroom Management Course through Idaho State University and I love watching your videos now! Thank you for your help!
Yes to morning tubs!!!!! ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉 I stopped using Morning tubs this year and quickly realized the mistake. Seriously I watch Miss May on repeat. 😅 I’ve been teaching 1st grade for 4 years and gotta keep this fresh in my head still.
Oh how I wish I followed this advice this past year. I modeled but my expectations and what I got were not the same and I got ai frustrated and gave up after like a month or so and I wish I just pushed more those first few days. You know there is so much that I wish I could redo this past school year but you live and you learn. You are my inspiration! My goal is to win teacher of the year like you! Much love to you! Stay healthy and safe❤❤
Thank you Miss May. Great video! Question: What specific activities do you use for morning tubs for students as they enter the classroom? I’m a second grade teacher and I really like this idea for the first day.
Thank you! Here are some examples in my tubs and the kids LOVE IT! amzn.to/2NIjlVI bit.ly/31y87Lw bit.ly/3eRHlSi I also have a drawer for free drawer paper. I always have free draw Friday. ((HUGS))
I just found your channel. Your energy is so lovely. I am starting and ACP program this year and God willing I will be in the classroom coming January. I taught as a long-term sub last semester and learned a great deal. Made a lot of mistakes and I just grew from them. I found myself searching for tips and lets just say I will be tuning in to your channel. Your channel truly is a blessing. Thank you.
Thank you SOOO much Ms. May!! I am going to be a first year, first grade teacher. This is a little out of my comfort zone since I’m used to the older kiddos, but your videos have been such a wonderful help. Thank you!!😁
I implemented your VIP area last year. However, with this year they can’t share supplies or sit with friends from other table groups. I normally had three VIPs each week (they shared a special table, pillows, and special supplies plus I brought them a special snack). Any tips for how to do a VIP group each week with all the new rules and changes? I love your videos! I use a lot of ideas I’ve learned from you! Thank you!
Thanks for the video! I used morning tubs for seat work for my kindergarten kiddos. Will you be using them this year with everything going on? I used to have one bucket per table and rotate them, but they won’t be able to share?
You are my idol for teaching. I am doing my last two courses, then I have student teaching next Fall, and then I get my Masters and Teaching Certification. Been a 20 year journey. cannot wait.
I just started teaching this year, I love your tips, your attitude and most of all your last tip, prayer! God will always make a way! Thank you sister!
I'm so anxious. Prek during COVID. Tons of new guidelines, safety measures and transitions. No lovies or parents in the building. At drop off I have to bring 14 special needs, 3 year olds up a flight of stairs, have them all remove their outdoor shoes, come inside with all of their first day belongings including nap bags, change into their indoor clothes and shoes, then wash up and bathroom. Just me and 1 other teacher. This is going to be a one helluva rollercoaster.
You are awesome. Found your channel last week and I’ve been cramming your videos in during spare moments. I’m in the UK teaching in a deprived area and your videos are uplifting and so helpful. I’m inspired by you, thank you.
Thank you for your videos. I switched careers and Ill be starting my first year teaching Middle school. I had prepared most of my content for the in person setting...Your videos are helping me reframe things for the virtual class setting (morning meetings, expectations, class "mgmt")
I think I need to sit down and figure out exactly what my expectations are for these routines and procedures, then have a boot camp with my middle schoolers. And soon. Cause I'm just dying with all these crazy behaviors but I'm floundering with trying to implement things and knowing what I want to happen but not having a clear path to get there.
Yes! Sit down and think about your expectations and get the boot camp going. You need to get those expectations up front and stick to them and stay consistent. I believe you can get them there. At least most of them. Maybe also, speaking with some of your most disruptive kiddos for help. This could help them with feeling a sense of being heard. ((HUGS))
Love your videos! I used to teach high school but after 7 yrs of break, I am going to be teaching Pre-K in September. Q: do you have kids that are so shy that they wont speak “Good morning Miss May” out loud? I hear there is one kid that is really ahy and did not speak a word the whole yr last yr.
Yea, I get kids who are shy or very shy and won't speak at first, but the more we do it the more comfortable they become. Now, I've also had kids who won't speak just being more bratty like and we won't greet that child until they're ready. I don't know a kid who likes being ignored. I've also had kids that they considered mute who won't talk at all to anyone and that's who they truly are and we just greet them anyway. They can always wave or smile. ((Hugs))
I like the idea to have a song that just pops up and the kids know they need to clean up... Thanks for sharing all these helpful ideas such as " Teaching and modelling the routines and expectations. 🙏
Thank you for putting out these videos. I look forward to your tips for this Fall. I'm trying to visualize what I want my routines to be. I have never had lunch in my room, or specials etc. Would you consider doing video around small group work? I'm constantly looking for the most efficient way to run groups. Thank you for your positive approach to life, it is encouraging!