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INB setup & Classroom Management

Ohh INBs. I love/hate you.

All of the papers to set up this year's notebook
6 pages? No problem! I bet we'll have time to get started on the Unit 1 handout, too!

WRONG.

I decided this year I'd make sure each student's notebook has their name on it with Sharpie before leaving the room (I monitored Sharpie usage.) But many students asked for me  to write their names, creating a long line & time suck I didn't prepare for. Especially in my classes over 30, which happen to be after lunch and more rambunctious anyway.

They only got 3 pages done. Inside cover, Table of Contents, and the Syllabus page. At least we made it through the syllabus?

It did remind me, though, why the TEEM notebooking people use a printed Table of Contents. One student used about 3 or 4 lines per item to write in his table of contents. Margins going almost to the middle of the page. Not going to lie, I was horrified but unsure of how to proceed with him. So I think I may end up using the pre-made printout for the ToC next year to avoid that kind of thing, even if it is a bit of a waste of paper.

It also reminds me that I'm horrible getting started with classroom management. Those signs there? I haven't even mentioned them to my class. I need to get going on that. I know how important classroom management is. But I also feel the pressure of oh my goodness we're already 4 days in, I'm behind already and we're supposed to be DONE with decimals, GCF, LCM, and distributive property in 2.5 more weeks! I know that setting up classroom management in the beginning will make life go smoother later. But in the moment, I have a hard time with it. Tomorrow I'm going to back up, restart, and make sure those transitions go well, even if it takes even longer, because I need it to run smoother later in the year.

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