"Would you tell me, please which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to." (Carroll, 1960) I think this statement is very pertinent when talking about classroom management. Ask any good classroom manager what the keys to being effective are and I"ll bet their top five includes preparing for the "First Day of Class". This preparation should include creating a syllabus, grading policy and a classroom discipline procedure. When determining which way to should go, focus your expectations on each student so they benefit the most from your class.
The preparation of a class syllabus can be one of the most important steps the teacher can take to ensure effective classroom management. In Steven Covey book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, (1989) he tells us to "Begin with the end in mind" and he bases this on the principle that "all things are created twice". An example of this would be building a home, "You create it in every detail before you hammer the first nail". The syllabus is a blueprint for instruction, the first major step is having the plan then it must be built in the classroom throughout the course.
What to include in syllabus will vary but here are a few important areas to cover. The course information which gives students the who, what, when, where, why, and how for the course should be included first. This section would include the course description, objectives, and required materials. According to Altman and Cashin (2002), the course schedule is important to students and teachers alike, but it should include a statement that it is tentative and subject to class progress. The schedule should include the class assignments, tests and quiz dates, and any special projects. Finally, any special instructions the instructor needs to have in writing such as, resources for special projects, where students can access the Internet, or other important class information.
