As a new teacher, I was stressing about seating charts and trying to implement flexible seating in the classroom. Flexible seating can be EXPENSIVE!! I'm relieved to see that even cool teachers start off the year with desks and seating charts.

"Game of thrones was on" 💀

I’m so happy to hear your philosophy on no homework. As a mom and middle school teacher, this makes learning life stress free!

I am a new teacher- this will be my second year teaching grade 6. Last year was the most rewarding work I have ever done. I built very strong relationships with my kids and feel that it was by being real with them and because I was myself. I didn’t often need to discipline because we respected each other and often in place of discipline we could poke fun at each other and make light of most situations. I am aware of my newness and sometimes second guessed myself but watching you helps ground me and know to be true to my teaching style of regardless of whether it is different from the norm.

Love the syllabus style. Over half of our students are ELLs and speak a different language at home. That style of syllabus is perfect.

Hahahahah "seizure at the back of a bus". Oh that was a good one lol

This was very helpful!! Thank you..... I’ll be following your day one and day two routine for sure...I love these ideas.

I love how you keep it real! I find that I relate to you in a lot of ways. I often get called out for my sarcasm skills by my kids in speeches and videos. Have a great school year!

Career changing brand new teacher with ZERO experience and starting in a month. Your videos have been a godsend. I have been watching all of these and I'm finally getting to the point where I can actually draw up a classroom management plan rather than knowing vaguely I need one. Thank you so much!

I'm about to start my first year teaching high school English and Theatre and I am so happy I found this channel. Amazing advice and resources. Thank you for doing this!!!

I absolutely love the number seats idea and will definitely be using it when I starting my first year of teaching in a few weeks! I’m so glad I found your videos before I started teaching because I just feel like I’m going to be ahead of the game and skip over a lot of mistakes teachers normally make starting off!

Those lines though!!! Love it...

Great suggestions. "You make me write something, you lose the point for that day." 👍I am involved with a 3-week ESL summer school, and this + the seating chart should make things easier for our staff when we run it again next year. Thanks!

AMEN on the homework! Love your view so much. I could spend days on my soapbox about it.

Great video. Love to see what other teachers do on their first few days of class and how they set things up for a productive and successful year. The first few day are so important to setting the stage for student success.

I’m one of your new followers and I can’t be happy enough. Thanks for these videos. I wish I had gotten these tips in my second year as a Middle School teacher. Thank you!

Great video. Great content. Just started my Master’s in Secondary Education and this video was spot on with the ideas I have been forming for the future. 👍🏻

You’re literally incredible!

100% on the seating arrangement! I don't do an exact alpha order, because A is always with B... so I tend to go across, then down or across alphabetically. I spice it up to at least mix so that A isn't next to B. And I totally agree with just looking up and immediately knowing who's away. I only call attendance on day 1. After that, never. If a desk is empty, I know immediately. And yes to little homework. I'm the same, but I give enough time in class to finish work. It becomes hmwk if they haven't used their time wisely.

Thank you so much. Super video. First time teacher abroad.

Love your style. ✨ Thanks for this.

I love your classroom! I also like how you do your 1st and 2nd days as well as your seating charts! I am going to incorporate some of what I have learned from you (some I was already doing 😊) once I get a classroom again. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Reynolds, I've just started teaching at a high school in China, just south of Shanghai. I'm not a first-time teacher (20 years actually) but it was very refreshing to watch this video and the First Day one. Everything you say resonates with me, and I too have adopted a similar seating arrangement system that you explained. I have a tiny room that would be ideal for 15 tiny desks for an English/ICT class, but in actuality, there's twice the number plus half a dozen. So I'm forced to have them in rows, except that I have two rows of 8 pairs of desks that face each other, and a giant smartboard that stands at one end of the room. So they don't face me at the "front", which suits me fine because I don't lecture to them in the 19th-20th century-style of teaching. But they do need to turn their heads to the other side to view the smartboard and maybe take occasional notes if I'm showing them a tutorial video. This arrangement actually worked neatly for me on my first day when I had them do an icebreaker activity that involved competition between the rows, then another group discussion activity in fours, which I called islands. I do admire the fact that you printed out the seating arrangement, and it inspires me to do the same. I'm just kinda lazy or in more self-compassionate terms, "preoccupied with other priorities". But the fact is, I need to do what you have done because I can see it serving a variety of practical purposes to have it handy on paper. Anyway, I've typed too many bytes of space here already so I'll bid adieu and thanks. Looking forward to more videos from you and your class! Cheers, Tob

Love your vids! Just found you. Wish I’d had a teacher like you. Your kids are lucky. Thanks for sharing your tips!

Hello Mr Reynolds. I am so excited watching your videos. They are so helpful. I am going to teach this year after a long time. Am so excited going back to the classroom

I love your channel even though I am not a teacher. Just your ideas about keeping the room organized were great! I would never have thought of the row alphabetizing thing, tape on the floor, etc.

I love the alpha seating plan for the first few days (or more)- and when they complain, I'm like- "I'm old- there's a lot of you, I need to learn your names- help me out!" I let them know when they arrive and then I also have a sticky note on each desk with their name. I've tried putting it up on the board- but they can't read it- although sometimes it's a good gage to see how bright the class is going to be!

Some great tips here!

So helpful. Going to substitute teach until I pick a grade and get a full time position. I'm so nervous and I've watched a bunch of your videos and now I feel more prepared. Thanks!

Thanks for your videos. My school environment is toxic. The way you think about teaching helps me to think about ways that I can make my classroom environment everything it needs to be for me and for my students. Your videos help me keep the faith.

Future teacher here! I love your homework policy! I will definitely implement this because it's important for kids to be kids and for adults to remember high school isn't just about academics 24/7!

You're a stud. These videos are great.

New teacher here, for World Language! I really love your energy and I hope that I will remain as excited about teaching as you are. Thanks for sharing!!

Nice video man. Currently watching it during a class.

My high school English class was one class we did not have assigned seating! Regardless, we all stuck to the same desk the remainder of our school career (we had the same English teacher for 4 years). God help you if you sat in the wrong seat lol! Also i think my school was the only place where kids fought for the front row 😂 the seat right in front of the teacher was the golden seat....first day of school was a scramble to try to get that seat. I went to my high school reunion.....we visited our English classroom... and you betcha we sat in our old (unassigned) seat ;-) I sat in the front row but near the wall/window. That was my spot :-)

Thank you so much. You're great. I like it.

I like the questionnaire

I start teaching for the first time next year and this is soooo helpful

Great vid! I would love to see what your 3rd day looks like LOL. Basically, how do you start actual instruction and introduction to coursework. Keep making these vids!

I started teaching middle school math mid-year this year and it was crazy. A lot of it stemmed from lack of structure, changing teachers, covid, etc, but I’m really worried about next year since I’m moving grades with my students. I’m thinking 3 rules (be respectful, be responsible, and follow instructions). I like your idea for numbering the desks and it would also make passing out calculators and things easier. I think my main focus this year will be on developing the kids ability to think/reason through more class discussion and activities rather than just notes and worksheets. I tried activities last year, but it really wasn’t a good year for it thanks to the other issues

Love your syllabus idea. I’m going to have to try that. I’m gong into my 2nd year of teaching and work in a K-8 elementary school teaching French and I think the older grades (6+) would dig it. I do plan on having them do an about me sort of page, but in French of course, and I totally read them. Keeping doing you! I’m grateful to have found your videos a while back. They keep me going.

Would you share that cool getting to know u doc? I loved the format.

I do a world cafe activity on day 2 or 3 for students to come up with what my basic 5 rules will look like for their class. I take large sheets of paper (I have used butcher paper, bulletin board paper, large construction paper, etc) and for each class period make 5 posters (Be present and prepared, Be Respectful of people and property, Be Responsible for your own learning, Treat others as you want to be treated, Be an active participant). I then divide the class up into 4 groups and have them spend a set number of minutes at each poster brainstorming what that "rule" looks like and writing their ideas on the poster and then taking the last 10 or 15 minutes to talk about them. By the end of the day, each class period has made a set of posters for my room, and they have contributed to what we can expect from one another.

Love it!! Day 2 will be a syllabus-old school style, but I’ll only hit the highlights. Then I’m thinking we might do a “Would You Rather” question set to get a sense of who are the leaders, who are the quiet ones, how well they work together, etc. This is a GREAT video! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks!

Are you on Teachers pay Teachers? would love to see your teaching material ^^

Day 2 - +25 year teach - I do a "room zoom" - where things are; what's available for them to use; what's "off limits" e.g. THE PORTAL OF DOOM! it's nasty in there. Too many students are glued to their desks - it's their safe place and their coping mechanism. So my antics leads to my room scavenger hunt - in trios + they are on the clock! Have fun!

I love your homework policy

You rule man

I LOVE YOU!!! There are few like you (I know 2-that's all). Love your excitement. Must be ADHD bc you understand it without saying a word. lol. I teach high school SPED - mild intellectual - and I'm taking a few pointers from you. GREAT JOB MAN!!!

8:50 I can verify this is true. I preferred composition books when I was in the classroom. The only issue I ever had was kids without a comp book. I would buy a bunch during back-to-school season and make those available to kids during the year. They are very expensive once back-to-school season is over.

The videos have been very helpful thank you

Great

This was a fantastic video but Mowgli WAS raised by wolves

Dude you are funny and cool. I want back in school just to take your class. Is your penmanship like your having a seizure on the back of the bus driving down a bumpy road....? That had me laughing out loud, yeah lol, but this was for real. Keep doing what your doing, it's good.

Awesome tips! The seating arrangements and syllabus sheet look great :) I was wondering if you have any tips for when students are in a fixed classroom and teachers are the ones that rotate (I liked your idea of shaking hands but can't do that because they are already there) and if you have tips on keeping a class interested (voice modulations, pacing, etc). For my second class I was planning to give a bit of literature analysis using Harry Potter or something else they know really well so they can see how we're going to work during the year :)

I wish I could not accept late work, but my school lets them turn it in until the end of the semester. It's really hard to keep up with missing assignments. I also do a questionnaire with my freshmen, but I don't with my seniors because it's the same kids I had as freshmen. The seniors reflect on the past three years of school, and then tell me what they want to get out of their senior year in high school. It has to be a real goal like "be the best on the basketball team" or "write an 'A' paper". Then we talk about independent reading books, and their homework is to get a book they want to read from the library or home.

A lot of the teachers at my school use remind to send out notifications. It’s super simple and looks just like a text message. Maybe that could work for you as well.

Don’t know if it was mentioned yet- late work is not ACCEPTED (not excepted). Signed, a math teacher 😂

First and second day of school? Omg, I’m still on break :). Good luck with the new year.

The coolest teacher ever! Thanks for the tips. Do you edit your videos by yourself?

do you have any links for the syllabus and questionnaires? Thanks for these videos!

I wish I could’ve had you as a teacher!

This will be my first year teaching and I was planning on setting up my second day pretty close to what you have your students do. I plan to go over my syllabus and then have students write a letter to me which will help me analyze student writing and their handwriting. I have a prompt/directions for each paragraph of the letter. I really like the student survey you use, but I already created my own for the first day of school.

What do you think about the class coming up with a set of expectations - what they expect from the teacher, what they expect from each other, and what I expect from them? I’m thinking of doing this for each class and setting it up like an informal, non-binding, but often referred to type of contract. A social contract for the class, if you will.

Majority of my work happens in my class. 😁😁😁👌

Would you recommend these same tips for a co-Ed Middle School ?

Fantastic breakdown for Day 2 ... I’ve been giving students numbers based on their alphabetical order and it saves me time for grading and returning work.. this year I need a quick and easy way to keep parents updated, any suggestions?

I love how you teach english and the syllabus says “late homework will not be *excepted*” xD time to brush up on those spelling skills Reynolds! ;)

I will be a first year teacher (career change, I was working in mental health with adults) at the age of 36 in my old high school. I will be a special education teacher with three sections of Math intervention on my own and two sections of Recovery Algebra where I will co- teach. I planned on switching up tables to fit a Socratic formation. I want the classes I teach on my own to be more collaborative in nature. I was pregnant my senior year of high school so I want to drive home the message that life may throw curve balls but you can work hard to overcome obstacles. My daughter will be a freshman in college this fall so lots of new beginnings

I use the exact same Who I Am questionnaire! I fill one out about myself and put it on the projector while the kids do theirs so they can learn a little about their football and unicorn loving crazy cat lady teacher. I also give out a very similar syllabus. No need to give out pages of details. I hate having my desks in rows, but my classroom is the size of a closet. I can’t fit 30 kids in there any other way. BTW, I’m birdee18 on Instagram, and I’m the one who said I’d want to co-teach with you. I don’t know if the kids could handle that much awesomeness, though!

Use edmodo for the electronic idea

I'm going to do the Myers Briggs test with my students.

Classroom management is my fear because we have large classes of 45 students

Wolves raise their young very well. Respect and the concept of community (or as close as an animal gets to that) is very important in the pack. Every wolf gets his or her share of the hunt, there's just a pecking order as to who eats first. You also don't hunt in another pack's territory unless you're looking to make war, and only the Alpha Wolf decides on whether or not his pack goes to war. I know, you mean it as a metaphor for anarchy, but wolf packs are among one of the most "civilized" animal groups after humans.

Hi !! How does your points system work, is there a reward for students who still have points ? Just wondering !

Found this jawn, you definitely teach in Philly.

We are going into our 3rd offical week of school this week (atleast for me because I started at my school late ) ..is it too late for me to start to implement these practices ?

Great video! I would love a copy of that syllabus template if at all possible. Where can I get me one of those?

Mr. Hall is always in the hallway

How do you communicate the seating chart so the students sit without chaos on the first week?

Reynolds! I started teaching last year in January. This will be the first time I experience starting from scratch. Last year’s kids were sort of pre-prepped by their previous teacher and I am so nervous to do it by myself. When do you usually start your actual instruction?

Do you have a link to your student questionnaire ? Would love to use that this year for my caseload.

Reynolds, what is the point system???

So when a new student moves in, do you put them where they would go alphabetically?

Im sure there is a video somewhere , but I keep wondering what happens with the points ?

How many students do you usually have in class?coz I usually have overcrowded classes.

Has anyone ever been a department or grade level chair? Any advice? Possible video topic?

"Late work is not excepted" lol

Thank you for the video. Where can I get a copy of the worksheets that you have students fill out about themselves? #RealRapWithReynolds

Teaching next year. Listening to all the advice!!! I'm an English teacher. Any advice from anyone is welcomed. Fyi, I'm a career changer also. I'm not an expert in my subject, but I think I will after I teach it. Looking for simple effective ways to teach and grade, thank you!

Have you tried the text app remind?? You can have the parents and students sign up for it with a code you share and you can send texts of their homework or whatever you want to announce.

syllabooses !

I have to read a book for summer reading for high school (9 grade) and I will like to know how can the setting of a book affect the characters. Also will you be doing any room decoration videos?

I totally trip over their long legs lol. I assign numbers to kids and it constantly changes but I love organization and alphabetizing.

Is the "Who I Am" graphic organizer still available? I can't seem to find a PDF version of it. Thank you!

Approximately how long are each of your classes?

Use snap chat for your assignments and stuff

Am not sure where the double doors go I see in the early shots where you are talking about seating but I would never ever put desks next to a door - even if it is a closet. Some fire departments may even find this illegal. Check with your fire department to make sure what you did is OK.

Reynolds do you have this introduction doc available for new teachers to steal?