How Do You Foster a Positive Learning Environment Part 1?

I will state the obvious.  Be prepared.  I will quote an intelligent administrator in my district…”If you don’t come with your plan, the students will come with theirs.”  I have watched many a teacher’s backside showing to the class as they dig for the materials needed for the lesson with the next words out of their mouth to be,  “why are you talking”.  If students could honestly answer, they would say, ” I was talking because you didn’t give me anything to do, and you aren’t prepared.”  Having all of your materials in place and in easy reach maximizes instructional time and limits disruptive behavior.