Summary
Highlights
Libby Price welcomes her new Reception class, focusing on reassuring parents and creating a comfortable environment. She emphasizes that children need to feel secure before they can learn, comparing it to satisfying basic survival needs.
Libby ensures children are engaged in familiar and enjoyable activities upon arrival. She views them as still being at a nursery stage, emphasizing the importance of providing solid, manageable experiences to help them transition comfortably into the classroom, noting that poor provision often leads to behavior issues.
Libby introduces the concept of 'Mrs. Price's Tigers' to foster a group identity and quick cohesion. She implements routines like the 'tiger roar' and specific sitting postures to gain attention and prepare children for learning, highlighting that routines build security and aid in behavior management.
Libby engages children in creating class rules, such as 'we walk in the classroom' and 'we use quiet voices,' explaining the rationale behind them (safety, quiet). She plans to reinforce these rules with picture clues for accessibility, acknowledging that not all children can read yet.
Libby introduces a key rule: 'we are always kind and help each other,' using it as a strategy for children to self-assess their behavior. John Bailey notes her constant reinforcement of appropriate behavior through language, encouraging children to think and renegotiate.
Libby introduces a behavior chart (Sunshine, Rainbow, Raincloud) to visually represent good and bad choices, emphasizing the 'belonging' aspect of staying on the 'Sunshine.' She clarifies that every day offers a fresh start, with names returning to the 'Sunshine' each morning.
Two weeks later, John observes significant progress. Libby has involved parents by sharing expectations and encouraging them to develop literacy skills with their children daily. The class demonstrates improved focus and resilience, indicating that the initial groundwork has led to a productive teaching and learning environment.
Libby outlines the top skills for a reception teacher: building relationships, providing appropriate provision, establishing authority, implementing routines, and setting safety rules. She stresses that building expectations and relationships is a continuous process, culminating around Christmas when children fully understand her signals.