Welcome to the Georgia Water Planning & Policy Center

Ask anyone in the work force and they’ll tell you, working from home sounds like heaven on earth. The ability to set your own hours, work at your own pace, all without the big boss man looking over your shoulder….yeah, most of us could go for that. Unfortunately, a lot of carrots are dangled in front of frustrated job seekers, promising big bucks for working a few hours a day in your pajamas…but if you take the bait, you may find the carrots have a bad taste.

Work from home scams are a big business, and they are big because so many people readily buy into them. It all sounds good, but before you know it you have wasted both time and money, your get rich quick scheme becoming a go nowhere fast proposition rather quickly. Nowhere does the old adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” apply better than when examining various work from home opportunities. In this article we will examine some of the more nefarious offerings available, and hopefully help a few of you avoid the mistakes so many others have made.

The Mom Work From Home Scam. The is almost a cliche in its own right, the image of a suburban housewife making $2000 every week working only two or three hours each day. The pitch is to post links for popular search engines such as Google or Yahoo, and for only a few dollar you will receive a kit containing the links and instructions for posting them.

Unfortunately, that modest upfront fee that was asked of you becomes the doorway for monthly charges to their credit cards and bank accounts on the order of $50 or more. Even if you realize you have been scammed right away, the chances of recovering any of the lost money are slim.

Probably the biggest, most classic work from home scam of all time was the perennial favorite: “Make Money Stuffing Envelopes At Home!” This gem advertised earnings in excess of $1500 weekly. In actuality, once you pay your upfront fee (for administrative duties, of course), you receive nothing more than the same ad you responded to, with instructions on how to place it in newspapers or magazines. The only way you might see any money at all is if someone responds to your ad, which of course, they won’t. Of course by the time you realize you’ve been had, your money is long since gone. The crazy first cousin to the envelope stuffing scam is the “craft assembly scam” which follows the same template designed to separate you from your money.

Medical billing is one of the newer scams out there, where you pay anywhere from $300-$900 for everything you (supposedly) need to start your own medical billing service out of the comfort of your own home. You’ll be promised the latest in medical billing software as well as a list of clients in your area. The truth is that medical clinics process their own billing or outsource to professional, reputable firms.

The 900 Number Scam. This one doesn’t even pretend to actually have a job available. Their primary goal is to get you to call their 900 number, which of course costs money. That’s where they make their profit; they don’t even have to worry about coming up with a convincing con game.

Your computer is a “money making machine”. I love this one because it is so blatantly transparent. You basically pay your upfront fee only to receive instructions on how to place ads to pull in other people who want to turn their computers into money making machines. Picture a cat chasing his tail and you’ll get the idea.

So how do you avoid getting scammed in the work from home marketplace? It is surprisingly easy:

Rule #1: NEVER pay for the chance to work. No other employer would ask for money upfront before hiring you, so why should work at home opportunities be any different? The minute someone starts feeling for your wallet, run.

Rule #2: Verify the business. Make sure they have a physical address and a phone number, then call the number to make sure it is legit. To top it all off, Google them. Anything good or bad will be at your fingertips. Surefire warning signs of an illegitimate company include use of free web hosting or e-mail services, P.O. Boxes, and lack of a phone number.

Rule #3: Look for pie in the sky claims. If anybody is promising $1000 a week for a couple hours work each day, forget it. There are no shortcuts when it comes to making money. Either be prepared to part with some sweat or forget it.

Rule #4: Avoid spammed e-mail offers. Most fraudulent work from home offers come in the form of e-mail spam. The more incredible the offer sounds, the less likely it is legitimate.

If you truly want to work from home and exercise some measure of control over your time, your pay, and your life, the best thing to do is simply start your own home based business. Determine if there is a service you offer that people would be willing to pay for, then market that service accordingly. It’s not easy, and you won’t get rich quick, but it is the single most logical manner to achieve your goals.

Learn what you can do to avoid busted pipes: Water Mitigation Tips

Let me tell you a story.

Just about everybody I know wishes they could get a little more done each day. I’d like to share with you the story of a simple idea. While simple, it is so powerful that it has helped at least one major corporation become dominant in its industry. It earned the man who came up with it an extra $25,000. It has also helped many people increase their productivity. It can work for you. So if you’d like to learn how to get more done every day, read on.

Before I start the story, let me just be clear. The story is true, but since there was no official record made of the words actually spoken, they have been lost to history. I’ve had to make up the dialog. It doesn’t matter though, the important thing about this story is the technique it teaches, anyway.

“I Don’t Need More Knowing”

The management consultant named Ivy Lee felt confident as he wrapped up his presentation. And why shouldn’t he? He’d picked up big clients before, and he also knew this company could really use his help.

The man on the other side of the room to whom Ivy was presenting was Charles M. Schwab. The tag on the desk read “President” and the sign on the wall said “Bethlehem Steel”. Schwab’s physique may have been a bit on the pudgy side, but the look in his eye was as hard as any of the steel that left his plant.

Lee met the company president’s steely gaze. “In short, Mr. Schwab, if you give me the opportunity to work with yourself and a few of your top executives, I will teach you all to manage the affairs of this company more efficiently. I’ll teach your men to speak so that the public is always behind you. As a matter of fact, within a couple of weeks, you will know exactly how-”

Schwab waved a hand and shook his head. “Listen, Mr. Lee. You make a great presentation. You’re services sound like they are top notch. We just don’t need to learn what you have to teach right now. I don’t need more ‘knowing’ at all. I can honestly say that I already don’t manage as well as I know how.” He clasped his hands an laid them on the desk. “More teaching isn’t going to help. We already know what we should be doing.” He tilted his head and chuckled. “Of course, if you could enlighten us with a way to get it done, I’d be happy to compensate you however you want.”

The flat rejection almost shook Ivy. Almost. He knew that a weaker man would have bid a hasty retreat, but he was not a weak man. He controlled his breathing and stayed calm. That’s when the idea struck him.

Schwab leaned back in his giant chair. “Is there anything else I can do for you before you go?”

Ivy nodded, then stood up straight and stepped toward the Schwab’s desk. “Fair enough. What would you do if I said I can give you something withing the next twenty minutes that will immediately allow you to get done at least at least 50% more than you do now?”

Schwab’s eyebrow shot up and he leaned forward again. “Well, then, I suppose I’d listen.”

A Simple Idea

Lee turned and smiled. This was a great idea. It was simple to teach, simple to implement, and it would surely fix Schwab’s problem. He picked up then rummaged through his briefcase until he found a blank piece of paper. He strode across the room, placed the paper on the desk, then slid it over until it was in front of the steel man.

Schwab appeared mildly confused. He looked from the paper up to Ivy and back again.

Lee stepped back and pointed. “See that ordinary piece of paper?”

Schwab shrugged his shoulders and looked up again. “Of course.”

“The first thing you need to do is this. Take a moment and jot down the six most important things you need to get done tomorrow.”

Schwab slowly reached for a pen, thought for a minute or two, the scribbled down his six items. When he finished, he tossed his pen onto the desk. “Done. Now what?”

Lee smiled and put his hands in his pockets. “The second thing is to number them in order of importance.”

Schwab stretched across the big desk and snatched the pen he had just flung. He closed his eyes for a breath, then scratched the numbers one through six next to the appropriate items.

He set the pen close and nodded. “There.”

Lee’s smile widened. “The third and final thing is this. Tomorrow when you walk through that door and sit at your beautiful desk to work, you start by working on the item you’ve labeled with a one. You don’t do anything else. You work on that first item until it is done. Distractions are going to come up. Just ignore them. Again, you work on your number one item until it is done. When it’s done, you move on to the second item. When that is done you can move on to the third one, and so on until you finish the list, that is, if you can finish it. Then, at the end of every work day, you start over by making a new list. Don’t spend time worrying about the things that you don’t get done. Because you will have thought about what is most important, you know that you have done the most possible good possible for Bethlehem Steel, and I guarantee you’ll have completed more than you used to. And if you can’t get all six items done this way, you couldn’t finish them using any other method, either. I’m so confident that this is going to work, that I’m not even going to set a price on this idea. Just use it for a week or two. See how valuable it is. Teach a few of your people to do it. When you have seen how much more you can get done, well, then you send me a check for whatever you think it’s worth.”

Schwab rolled his chair back, stood, and extended a hand. His eyes had changed. Now they looked completely lost in thought.

Lee shook his hand, then gathered up his presentation materials and left without a word. He knew his idea was a winner.

What The Idea Was Worth

A few weeks later, Ivy got a letter in the mail on Bethlehem Steel stationary. In the letter, Schwab detailed how Ivy’s idea was the single most profitable thing, from a bottom line money perspective, that he had ever been taught.

Folded up in the letter was a company check written to Ivy Lee in the amount of $25,000.

Since that time, many have said that this simple technique was instrumental in the growth of Bethlehem Steel from an obscure steel mill to one of the largest producers of steel in the world.

So, to put it another way, the “Six Items” technique was literally worth millions to Bethlehem Steel. How much will it be worth to you?

Bryce Beattie loves personal development and runs an online software geared to help people increase productivity. He also runs an online work order software.

Too many guys in this world have the completely wrong idea about what women want. For some reason, our society has no problem perpetuating the myth that women want a tall, dark, handsome, rich guy who drives a Porsche and is a powerful, successful businessman.

Not so much. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that the guy who meets all those criteria is a slouch in the dating department. No way, that guy gets more action than the rest of us put together. But my point is that you don’t have to be that guy to please the average woman. Even the woman who is drop dead gorgeous, super intelligent and possibly has the most engaging personality around may not want that guy.

Women don’t always want to date someone who has a higher social value than they do. Sometimes they are looking for other traits in the men they date, fall in love with and marry. Let’s take a look at five things that women want:

1. Women want someone who knows what he wants. That means a guy who isn’t afraid to have an opinion and isn’t afraid to have strong likes and dislikes. It is extremely attractive to women to date a man who has enough empathy to care about what she wants, but isn’t afraid to speak his mind about what he wants.

2. Women want someone who takes care in his appearance. You don’t have to be that tall, dark and handsome guy. In fact, you truly don’t even need to be handsome. What you need to be is well groomed. You need to make sure everything about you is groomed and that you have taken time to find clothing that flatters your body and makes you look your best. It isn’t hard to do. You can easily ask for help from a sales clerk. Invest in some really good clothes and keep them pressed and polished. Make sure your hair is nice, you smell good and your nails are clean. It’s not rocket science, guys. Learn it. Live it.

3. Women want someone who listens. It is helpful to be witty and able to engage in stimulating conversation, but the hands down most valuable trait you can develop is the art of listening. Anyone who is a good listener is automatically viewed as a great conversationalist. Women want to be heard.

4. Women want someone who is fun. Don’t be so serious all the time. Let out your inner child and don’t be afraid to make fun or yourself every once in a while. It will make you very lovable.

5. Women want someone who makes them feel good about themselves. Look at it this way: Your job as a man is to make your woman feel good about herself. If you don’t have anything nice to say or any way to build your date’s self-esteem, then you should be dating someone else. Spread a little love around and recognize all the wonderful qualities that another person has to offer.

Bill has been a pick up artist for the last 5 years in NYC and can teach you the skills you need to be one, as well, including how to text a girl. The original article can be found here: What Girls Want in Guys.

In recent times, a very large number of price comparison web sites have sprung up in the UK, that cover such a wide range of markets as car, home and life insurance, hotels, flights, loans, credit cards, music, and many more. Price comparison web sites aim to uncover the cheapest deals for consumers by obtaining quotes for you from a large number of companies, based on the details you enter into the comparison website. The price comparison sites also summarise the prices they receive back, ordered by price so it is convenient for you to identify the lowest price. Although these sites provide a straightforward and efficient way for customers to find the best deals available on the web quickly and without much effort, each web site typically confines their search results to a small number of selected providers. This means that it can not always be possible for you to be sure of identifying the best deal if you only use one price comparison web site. Furthermore, the sheer number of these comparison web sites that are available now just compounds the difficulty of comparing prices, and can make the process of finding the cheapest deal a daunting prospect. Even if you do opt to utilise a comparison site, you could be missing out on a number of providers that might be able to give you a better price than you are currently being offered.

However, by making sure that you use the appropriate comparison site for your exact needs, and getting the maximum number of quotes you receive by checking the results from several of these services, you are much more likely to discover the cheapest price. It is therefore worth spending a bit of effort to shop around in order to determine the best price. By checking as many price comparison sites as possible for the same product or service, you should come up with a number of different prices, and are much more likely to find the website that offers the cheapest price. Many of the comparison web sites also allow you to rapidly change the details of your product after you have been provided with your prices. This is a handy feature for investigating the effects of modifying features such as the voluntary excess on your policy, or how much legal cover is included, as policy extras like these can dramatically affect the price you are offered. You can find out about the best price comparison web sites at http://www.metacompare.co.uk which includes the best insurance, travel, money and shopping comparison sites.

A final extremely important thing to take into account is that a few of the biggest providers do not actually feature on the price comparison web sites, but these are also able to offer very competitive prices in many cases, thus it is essential for you to go to those companies directly for a quote. By following these tips, you will find that you are able to save a great deal of money with relatively little effort.

You will find up to date news and information about comparison sites, at MetaCompare.co.uk, a site for comparing price comparison web sites. Furthermore, you can also find many other tips, tricks and handy bits of advice to help you get the best deal on all of your everyday online shopping.

Before you realize it, the smell of the holiday season is already in every corner. There are about plenty of holiday seasons you need to prepare before the due date comes. It should not be something you hate just because you have little time to get things done. Some opt to enjoy holidays in their own house while others take pleasure in travelling and visiting relatives out of town. There are also some who prefer to spend their time working or hang-out with their friends. Whatever your plans may be, here are few guides you might need to know before the holiday strikes.

Guide # 1. When you already have time-constraints, create a work plan which runs down what you need to do and how much time you left to do it. You can divide those tasks into a to-do-list and errands to accomplish before the day ends. Mark the date you expect the work to return to its normal pace so that you can manage your time wisely. If Christmas is all that concerns you, you may start making your list of gifts for your love ones and even cards for your office mates and friends. You may also want to purchase for a discount bar stools that best fit for every holiday season. Holidays are also time for purchasing contemporary bedroom sets which offers a wide range of support for your relaxation and sleeping activities.

Guide #2. You have numerous options to choose from when it comes to spending your holiday season. You can set your commitments with family and friends for confirmation. However, this also means you have to take into account the span of time given to you. This may depend on your colleagues’ and customers’ schedules. If availability is too far to reach and time did not permit you, you can find this opportunity – while everyone else is on their vacation-a blessing-in-disguise to become productive.

Guide #3. Holiday travelling is also the best time for you to have a “time-out” from the pressures of work, the stress that is brought about by current events, and other personal problems. It may be a lot better to impede your connection temporarily to these stress-causing events. Holiday is a perfect time for you to unwind and unload the burdens you may be having in your usual days. However, if your work commitments necessitate communication even during holiday breaks, you can build a schedule on when you will be spending time in front of your laptops and time when you can totality enjoy. Your connectivity plan will also entail another preparation for you such as the “to-bring list “where your gadgets and other means of communication will be enlisted.

Guide #4. It is best to have your goal plan. Depending on your work and the intensity of workload, you may have a rough goal for the next holiday season. In this manner, you will budget your time wisely and accomplish a lot of work just before the next holiday arrives. It can be a great motivation for you too since you are envisioning pleasurable trips and vacation while doing things you need to do. Also, this will facilitate ease of mind and will not make you spend time worrying during holidays for you know there are no things left to do.

Ethan Mark Henkel enjoys writing for Home and Bedroom Furniture which sells Metal Bar Stools and Contemporary Bedroom Sets as well as a host of additional products.

The world uses fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural gas to power vehicles and homes. These fuel resources are used without concern to the environment. Air and water are being polluted at a fast rate, faster than ever before. There are more people that inhabit the earth everyday, and that means that more fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas are going to be used to run and generate electricity and power homes and business, and in addition power vehicles that run on these fuels. Winds power and renewable energy can save the earth from early destruction.

The United States is the most developed country in the world. It is one of the largest countries in the world. It uses two thirds of the world’s resources, and that includes fossil fuels to power it. It is a gigantic consumer. The thirst for these fuels for Americans has caused a huge environmental problem.

That problem is pollution. But, that is changing, and slowly. The U. S. And other parts of the world are starting to wake up and realize that in order to save the earth, the old ways of generating power need to go away, and alternative methods must take their place.

Wind power, and other renewable energy sources must be the future of the world energy production. It is not too late to implement this way of producing energy, and it is starting to happen. Look at some of the southwestern parts of the United States like Oklahoma and Arizona. They are examples of wind power energy production.

Wind farms are farms that produce electricity by the wind. Only the wind. Huge wind turbines, or windmills if you will, are popping up over vast expanses of open land. These giant farms are producing electricity by using the power of the wind flowing over the land. They cover vast numbers of acres to produce a lot of electricity. The nice thing about it is that the wind is free and non-polluting.

Solar energy is another renewable energy source that is producing large quantities of electricity for businesses and homes. And now, solar energy is such a big business that you can get affordable solar panel arrays for your home. They are not too expensive. The savings on electricity are huge, and, another benefit is that the sun is free for the taking. It is a clean resource that many are starting to take advantage of. The federal government will also give you a tax break if you use it.

Solar power arrays can be place on the roof of your home or business, and since you are producing electricity, the system will pay for itself over time. In fact, if you make more energy than you use, you can sell that energy back to the electric company and they will gladly buy it back from you.

Winds power and renewable energy is the future for the world. It must be taken care of. Old ways of fueling homes and businesses have to go away for the new energy sources that are clean, and free.

Solar Power and alternative energy devices, green energy sources like the field of science is around every day. The children learn with fun optical equipment, telescopes and science lab equipment.

Flowers are adored by most people for their beauty, aroma, and ability to add the finishing touches to a special occasion. However, they can also be an expensive treat. These flower buying tips can help you select the perfect blossoms that will not only last longer, but give you value for money.

Before making a call to your florist, decide on the type of flowers you want, or what you want your bouquet to symbolize. Many blossoms are known for their significant meanings and are often purchased to convey an emotion or message. For instance, some blooms are given as a symbol of love, while others are given in sympathy to the grieving. It is important to make sure you purchase the right type of flower.

Flowers are usually seasonal. It is essential to keep this in mind, because certain types may not be available. If you are able to locate a blossom that is out of season, you will most likely end up paying more, since it is either imported or grown in a greenhouse.

Working within a budget can be restricting, but it does not necessarily mean an arrangement has to look cheap or thrown together. Tell your florist how much you are willing to spend and ask what options are available to you. Reduce your costs by including greenery. Often a few beautiful, opening buds surrounded by gorgeous greenery can really bring a bouquet together. Simplicity is best, so when working with limited funds stay away from elaborate arrangements that cost a fortune.

Be aware of what certain flowers cost and look for substitutes that are equally as stunning and symbolic. When a flower is transported over a long distance it requires refrigeration. This can greatly increase the final price, since the expense involved in getting it to a floral shop in the first place is high. Before making a selection, ask about the prices of each stem. In addition, you need to remember costs increase during holiday periods.

Decide if you want the florist to deliver the bouquet, or if you want to do it yourself. Delivery by the florist will add to expenses, but there are ways you can save. For example, you can opt for early delivery. However, you should make sure there will be someone on the other end to receive them.

Always check the ends of each stem and water quality when you choose to put an arrangement together on your own. Stems must look freshly cut and they should be white or green in color. Keep away from dark, curled, and split stems. The water must be clean and clear. These tips will ensure you are purchasing flowers with a longer life expectancy.

It is not a good idea to buy flowers left outside for long periods of time. They will have been subjected to the sun and various other elements, causing them to wilt and die much faster. By following these basic tips you will have a beautiful bouquet the recipient will love and appreciate.

Get high quality fresh flowers, dry or silk flower arrangement, making your flower gift memorable today. Order online; get same day delivery for brampton florists and mississauga florists.

The other day a friend of mine sent me an email saying his wife was running in the Susan G. Komen race to raise money for breast cancer. It just so happens that another mutual friend of ours has a mother who is currently undergoing treatment for this scary disease.

A decision was made by my friend that his wife would wear this woman’s name on her t-shirt and dedicate her run to this mutual friend’s mother.

A mass email was sent out to dozens of members of the seduction community – those men who teach other men how to meet and pick up women. The response was mind boggling. The support for women with breast cancer and the support to find a cure for breast cancer was impressive. Men were not hesitating to donate $500, even $1,000, to this worthy cause.

Within a few moments, my friend’s wife was one of the top earners in the donation race in her state. And only a small portion of the emails had been seen at that point. Who knows what the final tally ended up being. All I know is that members of the seduction community impressed the heck out of me.

This just goes to prove that men working in the seduction community are lovers of women not misogynists as some ignorant people might erroneously assume. What a completely wrong stereotype. Outsiders might mistakenly think the seduction community is out to exploit women or use women in ways that are not good for women.

Nothing could be farther than the truth.

While it must be said there are a few bad eggs out there, the large majority of men teaching pick up artist skills, place a huge emphasis on their students acting with respect, honesty and integrity in all their dealings with women. It is all about learning how to be the best person you can be so you can attract quality women into your life. Many men learning pick up artist skills are ultimately seeking the woman of their dreams whom they can one day make into their wife.

A lot of what is taught in the seduction community is how to make your own life so wonderful that you don’t need a partner in it, but want one. It is that difference between want and need. Where you want a women to enhance the life you already have. By living a great life, you also become extremely attractive to everyone you meet. The majority of pick up artists are teaching men how to improve their lives so they can become the best men they can be so that when they meet their dream girls they are at the bet they can be and can offer a woman they best of themselves.

I think that any opportunity that can be taken to show people out there that the members of the seduction community are really upstanding guys and gals should be taken.

This pouring forth of monetary support for women fighting breast cancer and for a race for the cure is only one demonstration of that respect.

Bill has been teaching guys how to text a girl for the last 5 years in NYC and is a pick up artist who can help you learn to do the same. The original article can be found here: Seduction Community Supports Women.

Many people see calendars as purely practical things, but this isn’t the case. Instead of grabbing a dull calendar at the office store at the start of the year and forgetting about it, consider gifting a fancy one to a friend. Calendars make great presents for New Year, Halloween or a Birthday.

Here are 4 reasons why calendars make great gifts:

1. They’re great for acquaintances

Calendars are the kind of present that you can give to an acquaintance or someone you don’t know very well. If you give a very personal or costly gift to an acquaintance, colleague or boss, it sometimes results in an awkward situation where they feel like they’re obligated to reciprocate. But a calendar, even a high quality, unique one, is a gift that fits in just about any environment where it’s customary to give a gift.

2. They can be taken to work

Most gifts that you buy your loved ones can’t be taken to work. Just imagine your wife bringing a giant teddy bear to her office, or your husband plopping his new flat-screen TV in his cubicle. Calendars, however, can bring happiness and inspiration to your loved one’s office, and environment where this kind of inspiration is needed. Calendars with tropical landscapes, favorite travel destinations, zen saying and pet images are great for taking to work.

3. They’re used all year long

Honestly, how many birthday or New Year’s presents do you continue to use all year long? Chances are that you might occasionally use an item that was given to you but, more likely, presents remain in storage throughout the year. Calendars, on the other hand, are by definition something that is used almost every day. When you receive one as a gift, you use it to track appointments, jot down important information on it, mark others’ birthdays and more. And each time you use the calendar, you remember the person who gave it to you, you remember the happy occasion of the gift. This kind of gift endures for a long time.

4. They give you many options

Calendars come in a great variety, they don’t just look like the generic kind that you see at your dentist’s. Each month has a different picture – and these pictures come in a wide variety: celebrities, cities, movies, animals, saying, art. Because of this great choice, you can give a calendar to commemorate a trip to a movie, travel to a different country, the experience of attending a concert together – and more. If you know someone who is a fan of horses – there is a calendar for them. If you know someone who likes The Lord of the Rings – there is a calendar for them. If you know someone who is deeply religious – you guessed it, there is a calendar for them.

For these reasons and more, calendars make great presents for the people around you. Go ahead and explore different types of calendars online and in your local greeting-card store, you are in for a pleasant surprise!

Jamie is writing for Celandar Online Calendars , a calendar site with a great variety to choose from.

No classroom is free from having at least one or two students that seem to constantly and incessantly disrupt the entire classroom with their antics. But in order for all students to learn effectively, a classroom must have order and consistency. New teachers (and in some instances, veteran educators) often are clueless when it comes to handling perpetually disruptive students, which can make their jobs that much harder. Disruptions may come in any form, literally, but the most common include:

? talking when others are talking

? talking during lessons

? behaving badly

? disrespecting other students or the teacher

? being tardy

Setting Limits and Establishing Rules

It is important that a teacher nips disruptive students “in the bud” as soon as a problem surfaces. Being assertive and laying down basic ground rules at the beginning of the academic year is equally as important. A teacher must let his or her students know that they mean business when it comes to behaving in a proper manner. And while all teachers should be fair to their students, they must also make certain that they set out clear expectation and classroom rules from the get-go, and to go a step further by explaining why the classroom rules that have been set are important. The next step is to enforce rules consistently. It is a sure bet that if the rules are inconsistently enforced or not enforced at all, students will notice and act accordingly. Display your classroom rules in a conspicuous place for all to see and leave them posted for the entire school year.

Restoring Harmony

When dealing with a disruptive student, you must remain calm. Avoid becoming hostile towards the poorly behaved child; this only allows the student to see that they can easily push your buttons, which will only heighten the problem. The truth is that some students feel satisfied when they believe that they can make a teacher angry at will, and may use this type of behavior to get out of working. But as a teacher, you can defuse conflict and restore harmony. Regain control of the classroom with the following initiatives:

? asking the student to refer to the classroom rules

? standing next to the student as you teach

? ask the student a question to redirect his attention to the lesson

? ask the student to stay after class and then try to clear up the problem

There are many reasons that a student may become disruptive. They may not understand the lesson, they may have already been taught the concepts in the lesson, or perhaps they cannot see or hear you from where they are seated. And then there are students who are simply disruptive for whatever other reason, which may be beyond your control. These students are often best handled by assigning them a seat front-and-center in front of your desk where you can keep an eye on them. However, a truly disruptive student may need to be referred to the principal for disciplinary action. Keep in mind, however, that if you have multiple students in the classroom that are disruptive or that behave badly, you may have a rules structure that is too lenient or too lax, or inversely, too strict. If students feel that they cannot live up to your expectations, they sometimes will not put any effort into trying.

Jen Dobson invites you to visit her favorite online store for early childhood educators, mpmSchoolSupplies.com. The site offers an incredible selection of products at affordable prices including everything from a simple bulletin board border and bulletin board letters to educational toys and school furniture. Visit today to save 10%!