Student Numbers and Cinder Block Stick

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1. Student Numbers

From an anonymous reader:

"When I set up my files at the beginning of the year, rather than writing the student's name on the tab of the file, I assign each student a number and write the number on the file tab. In this way, I can use the same files for a few years. I tape a copy (from the grade book) of their name and number on the file cabinet door for quick reference whenever I need to file something. I also have the students write their names and numbers on all test papers. When entering grades into the grade book, it is much easier to match the number than to look for their names. You'd be amazed at what a time saver this little tip is."
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2. Hanging Posters

Lisa Kanute, a high school English teacher in Tucson, Arizona:

"Many schools were built using cinder block walls. These walls can be a challenge when trying to hang posters since it seems that nothing sticks to the cinder blocks. The answer is to use a hot glue gun. The hot glue will hold most lightweight things onto the cinder block with ease and then pops right off without any damage when you want to change things. Plus, it's a lot cheaper than some of the other options out there. When hanging posters, just be sure to put some masking tape on the back where the hot glue is going to go so that it doesn't permanently bond to your poster. Happy decorating!"
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3. QUestion of the Week: Extreme Challenge, New Teacher Edition

From the Works4Me Worker Bees:

"What was your biggest challenge when you were a new teacher and how did you overcome it? We want to hear your extreme stories -- huge class sizes, major discipline issues, total lack of support, absentee parents, last-minute reassignments -- what was the toughest obstacle and how did you handle it?"
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4. Classroom Management for Special Education Students

"Although I am not a special education teacher, I have been asked to teach a 5th/6th grade special education reading class this year. I have 9 students that are reading on a 3rd/4th grade level. These students are extremely needy and very high maintenance. Since I usually teach small classes, I am quite familiar with small group management and have never had a problem with any other groups that I teach. However, this special education class is different. Can anyone give me some classroom management strategies that often work well with special education students that have poor classroom behavior?"
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