One of the most important things, just ever, is the type of environment your students come into each day in your classroom . What does your ideal classroom look like ? What does it feel like? Is it a safe place to take risks and be intellectually courageous? What help us form the most learning effective yet friendly environment?

Everyone of us has a personality. Think back to your teachers in middle and high school. Did you go to Physics class? or did you refer to it as "Steever's" ( insert your teacher's name here) If your class is known by your name , is it a good thing? or a bad thing?

Technology has made teaching more challenging. There's an App for just about everything we/they do. Science "rumours" are constantly being brought to bear , as our students have more and more technology available to them. How you use personal technology in your classroom is a personal choice. Maybe you want them to use their phones with a polling app to vote about an answer choice....

You are or are about to enter the world of science teaching where safety is super important. But - what if they are hungry when they come to class ? Will you let them ingest ? What about hydration? ( so important and often overlooked) Can they have water containers? Are their school site policies in place ( you do NOT want to be the teacher that softens those just because you don't think that they are reasonable policies!)

Are you a hands up and be recognized before you speak teacher or a shout out and keep the energy flowing type? Is there room for different procedures or rules depending on the action happening within? How will you draw the line?

Well, as much as it would be nice to receive the Goldilocks pamphlet for getting it just right.... there is no such thing. The truth is, in teaching , you plan for the expected and flex with the unexpected. Thats the way every individual day works. Set up and Control what you can , accept what you must be flexible about, and just go with the flow. Everyday is a new adventure, but everyday you get to set the reset button!

Somethings need basic rules, others are procedural. A god rule of thumb says if it interrupts learning, you probably should have a procedure in place. If "they" stop your teaching to ask for something/permission , or you find yourself constantly repeating a direction - then maybe you can head it off at the pass.