So what do you do when faced with the unruly mob? What do you do if no work is left? And what do you do if the students are in the classroom already?
I'll answer these questions, and more. I'll also highlight the basic errors that you need to make sure you avoid at all costs.
Now nothing here is guaranteed to work, as you'll eventually come across students who will not comply, but this should help you to avoid absolute mayhem.
So you've made it to the room and there's the typical riot of excitement from the students.
So what to do now? If the students are already in the room, I would advise that you send them back out. Be firm, don't shout and scream, but be very clear.
Give yourself a minute to then swiftly straighten the room up, locate the work, and be sure that you have the necessary resources.
Always have pens, paper, and colouring pencils in abundance. You'll need them and having them allows you to avoid students holding the lesson up further. Also make sure you have a packet of tissues. You don't want to let a student out of the room for silly little reasons.
Now this is important, and it might sound contrary, but right now the work doesn't matter. Getting the students settled and ready to work on your terms is vital.
Get to the door, and address the students and explain that they cannot enter the room until they're quiet, and in a straight line. This might take a while but they'll realise that they aren't going to get their way.
If the majority won't be quiet, then you can start to let in the few who are and explain that they need to take their coats off, put their bags away and have their equipment out. Slowly but surely you'll get every student into the classroom, and if some won't comply you explain the consequences.
This all might take time, but with patience you'll avoid disaster. If you have a seating plan then make sure you enforce it, although if you don't then form a line of boys and a line of girls and send them into the room in a boy/girl seating plan, which is still surprisingly effective.
Now make sure you continue to set your standards by making sure that no student is wearing a coat, and that bags are under tables.
This might all take a while but you aren't letting the students dictate the lesson. You're making it clear that you are in charge, and that they aren't going to have it their way.
Now if there's no work there are a number of things you can do to provide you with time. Firstly ask the students to write the date in their books, and write 3 things that they learnt last lesson. Go round asking students to tell you their list, and show that you are interested in what they are doing.
Try and have a class discussion for a few minutes and ask the students to get involved in the lesson. Try and break the lesson up as much as possible to avoid boredom.
Whatever topic they are doing remember that YouTube is your friend. There will be a five minute video on just about every single topic on earth.
Always ask for access to the school's computer system as it allows you a number of advantages. Access to the internet, and also allows you to type up the instructions for a lesson without having to turn your back on the students.
Ask the students to make notes on the video, or if you want show it twice. Tell them to make notes on the second watch. I'll be honest at this time you're playing for time.
Never tell them that you don't have work, as they'll always refuse to do what you try and give them. Be a good salesman and convince them that this work is of paramount importance.
A quick emergency lesson can be: write a newspaper report on the topic they have been doing. They can do a spider diagram of their ideas, draw and colour a picture, and develop their literacy with the range of approaches a newspaper article offers. Quotes, headlines, subheadings etc.
This isn't a waste of a lesson, allows the students to do something of worth, and gives you plenty that you can tell them to add so you don't run of work.
So what should you avoid?
Do not be a fool, you know the students aren't allowed to go to the toilet; so don't let them. You'll hear "our teacher lets us" a lot, so just explain that you aren't their teacher, so they won't be today"
Don't scream at them and shout, wait for them to listen to you, and hold your nerve. It might take five minutes but they'll get it eventually.
Don't put music on, don't allow them to sit on phones or have earphones in, and don't let a student sit and do nothing without consequences.
Whether you know their name or not you can leave a description to their teacher, or ask any passing teacher into the lesson to tell you their name. There's a good chance this student will be well known.
Always send out the worst offenders, and praise those who are working. Sending out those who aren't working or who are misbehaving might seem old fashioned but you have to remove their audience and explain the consequences to them one-to-one.
If you stand at the front screaming about detentions you'll get no respect. So give yourself time to think and explain the consequences in a calm manner. Be sure to follow up with these too.
For a plenary there are plenty of online quizzes, videos and resources that you can use. Use the internet, use the TES website, sporcle quizzes, and again YouTube.
Make sure the students tidy the room up, and don't let them leave until it's acceptable.
At the end of the lesson make sure you go round tidying up. Teachers are protective over their classrooms so make sure you leave it spotless.
Also give as much feedback as possible. Make sure the school know that no work was left, and that every student who needs reporting is, regardless of number.
Ultimately, stay calm, be patient, and hold your nerve. Be as clear as you can, and keep the work simple and accessible.
Punish poor behaviour, reward the good, and never be too proud to ask for help when it's needed.
This won't turn a chaotic class into a perfect group, but it will show that you are firm and you're not to be messed with. Never be afraid to try something new, and remember you're there to do a job, and not be friends with the students.
Take pride in your work, stay in control of your emotions, and avoid letting the students run the lesson.
Good luck.
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