I've been teaching for eight years. The best tip that I can give another teacher is to pinpoint three or four things that really get under your skin and make those your rules. Don’t create rules just because they were the rules when you were in school. If you're a beginner teacher, you're not really going to know what gets under your skin until you've actually taught.

You're seated until the bell rings does not work for me, and it is too Pavlovian. I tell them, "I dismiss you, not the bell." I explain that I may need to finish an important point or finish hearing someone's comment or finish reading two more sentences, so they don't have to finish it for homework. I let them know that I do respect their time, but that includes using our time in the best way so that they get what they need in class.
I also say, "Those who pack up fast, leave last." This helps to prevent student from "checking out" early.

“Pay attention with your face.” I love it!

I observed a high school geometry class of a veteran teacher. The kids put their book bags in an area in the back of his classroom, next to a board which listed/illustrated exactly what they would need at their desks. It was a very orderly classroom.

This video is hilarious. Loved it! After 9 years of teaching, I still don't get why they make animal noises from time to time. Enjoy the rest of your holidays!

I just started teaching middle school and I really needed this video. Thank you!

Oh! My! Goodness!  Hearing this video and visualizing my classes each day!  No one knows how crazy this can be with middle schoolers!  I have almost the same routines to keep my classes running smoothly and my sanity complete!  Thanks for your videos!

I really liked your “don’t line up by the door” rule. The reasons you gave for it make sense especially for preventing unnecessary conflict and keeping your classroom a good space for you. Do you ever explain that to students? Would you ever say something like “this is my classroom that I have to be in all day so I need your help to make it a clean, calm environment by doing ———“.

I always dismiss them too from their seats. Randomly by row or group, depending on the current configuration. Desks and floor area needs to be clear before I’ll let them go. They learn quickly to encourage others to put away their things in time.

YES Megan - I am heading into year 9 at the middle school level and these are EXACTLY the kinds of videos that I need! Not to say we are jaded or anything 😏just operating in reality. Loved this one!

So grateful to find you and your very helpful videos!!! Thank you!!

I liked the "Pay attention with your face."  The first time any students try to stand by the door near the end of the class, that is when in a voice loud enough for all students to hear I say "we are not kitty litter, we don't clump up at the door."  My students quickly figure out that I will not excuse a class until everyone is in their assigned seats.  If any student tries to game the system by slow walking back to their desk or sitting in a non-assigned seat I consider that time taken - and for me time taken is repaid by holding the class back an additional minute or two of passing time.    If any protest that will make them late to their next class I remind them that actions have consequences - and that these unforced errors were self inflicted and avoidable.  Mostly I want classroom rules that can be self enforced by the students on each other.  They are middle schoolers, so many think they can outsmart teachers.  I never want to make it a battle, so I try to design m classroom with proper rewards for desired outcomes.

Thanks so much for this! It’s really helpful and easy to visualize. Your videos are like a having a veteran teacher mentor. Grateful ☺️

Possibly moving up to middle school this year. Excited and anxious..cannot wait to watch more videos..thank you!

I totally agree on the Chromebook issue!!

Thank you SO MUCH for this video!!!!! I’m going into my second year teaching and I’m making the jump from 2nd to 6th!!! I’m so nervous 😅 this video was so great! I wish you taught at my school!!!❤

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE ALL YOUR RULES!  Great!

Great video. I’ve been teaching middle school my entire teaching career and I’ve learned something new every year. Our school has a no hoodie policy(on your head) and no cell phones out. They are to be placed in the lockers or a designated area in the classroom. I also have gone from rules to expectations, I know it’s semantics, but I tell me kids at the beginning of the year absolutely through out, these are my expectations and they are held accountable to follow them. I believe the most important thing we can do as educators is stay consistent. I’ve had to make changes in the middle of the year, because I noticed if my consistency was off the kids would take that and run with it. Have a great year fellow educators(brave souls).❤😂

6th grade veteran teacher I really liked the rule about the Chromebook closed at the beginning of class!! I enforced the no phone in class, if I see it I confiscate, turn it in to the office! This year we are making it a rule to be off and in the backpack!!

Great video! You run a no non-sense classroom like me!