First Six Weeks of School,The (Strategies for Teachers)

This is a great book for building community, establishing rules, procedures, and consequences. It really shows a child-centered approach to learning that emphasizes respecting and understanding children. It creates a structure for teachers that promotes joy in a classroom while keeping academic rigors high. Let's just remember, though, that the sample schedules (which are fantastic!) do not have to be followed to a tee, as some other reviewers suggest, but that the foundational principles therein ring true. A great book for any beginning teacher or veteran teacher who wants a more joyful, respectful classroom. Responsive Classroom always hits the mark!

This book was recommended to me by various instructors before I started my first year of teaching (which I just finished). This book gave me some great ideas for bonding/get-to-know-you activities, and important procedures to teach in the first six weeks of school. It provides ideas for both intermediate (3rd - 5th) and primary (K - 2nd).Teaching second grade, which is just at the end of that range, some of the activities were a bit basic, so I was able to take some activities from the intermediate section and alter them to meet the needs of my students. I'm going to study this book again to get ready for my 2nd year of teaching. :)

Even with YEARS of experience as a teacher of second graders, I often turn to this book to bring me back into the world of teaching after our summer break. An outline for the first six weeks of school encompasses the building of routines, expectations and a class-family. There are even games included with which to practice expectations such as what it means to "Freeze!' With these basics established, a strong foundation has been created upon which to continue building the academic supports for a new year of learning.I highly recommend this book for beginning teachers and those long established in their careers.

Very good information with a lot of helpful hints by grade level.Too scripted for the whole day.So, I take the pieces I find useful for my classroom. I enjoy morning meetings, and my students seem to, also. I have 30 5th graders. I have never used "morning meetings" before, but have felt a need to "ground" my students in the morning, so we made sure the schoolwide schedule allowed students to spend at least the first 30 minutes in their own classroom so they can feel a real part of the group. The past few years, many students were pulled right away for Special Education or English Language groups.Again, I am really enjoying Morning Meetings!

As an experienced teacher I've always made it a point to tackle classroom management from day one and have been successful. After taking a few years off and slowly getting back into it as a substitute I have seen some real lack of control in some classrooms until one day I subbed for a second grade class. This class was amazing - a "well oiled machine". When I spoke to the teacher about what she did, she mentioned this book. It was such a stark difference from any other class I'd been to that I ordered the book that afternoon. Looking forward to implementing this in the Fall.

This book is great! I read it during the summer before this school year, and I utilized a lot of the modeling/practicing procedures for my classroom expectations. I don't know if I just have a wonderful class this year or if the methods of Responsive Classroom are extremely successful (or a combination of both), but I highly recommend it. After holiday breaks and when necessary, I continue to reteach procedures for everything from using scissors to lining up to use the restroom. I can't say enough about Responsive Classroom! It's a great way to start off your year...

This book provides exactly what it says it will. It gives you a week-by-week schedule for all elementary grade levels and the rationale behind doing each thing. This would be really helpful to have before the first week of your first year teaching.

The authors provide a great structure and foundation for creating a cohesive classroom community. I have used this successfully with extremely difficult classes. It's a little difficult to navigate because you have to flip back and forth through the book to find activities. I still think the book is one of the best resources out there. There are step-by-step description of activities for students in grades K-6.

Terrific book. Good transaction! Thanks!

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