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Many teachers have the attitude- "I'm not going to bother to call the parent. It won't help." I call parents all the time- 9 times out of 10, it makes a difference. Make a goal to either email or call every parent in the first few weeks with both good news and "there's a need for improvement" news.

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Have a variety of seating options for students who do not learn well in traditional seating. Also, keep a few stress balls or other "silent" toys that a student can hold onto during the class when needed.

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I address students with the same respect that I expect them to address me.
If there is a problem, I talk to them on an individual basis.
I begin the conversation with "If I have done something to offend you, I would like to apologize because that was not my intention..."

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Get to know your students strengths and weaknesses and friends. Make a good seating chart that caters to your needs in class. Use it until it stops working(abut a week) and make a new one.

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They choose the rules and agree to/sign the rules.

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Clear rules & consistency enforcing/ following up on rules. Frequent reminders of expectations.

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Help students get organized and keep them focused on being organized throughout the semester. If they don't get a 3 ring binder, get them one. Remind them where to put papers in their binder. It makes a HUGE difference when students are able to find exactly what they need only seconds after they enter your classroom. 9th graders need to be taught organization!

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Allowing students to choose from several assignments that will allow them to show what they know. I find that when students can do the work, they are less of a behavioral issue.

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I have a shoe organizer ($10 from WalMart!) pinned to my bulletin board at the front of the room. Each student chooses a pocket with a number and that is where they deposit their cell phones every single day on the way in the door. I take attendance based on whether or not their phone is in the pocket. We do this starting on day one.

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At the beginning of the semester, kids make a list of free, low-maintenance rewards they want to earn and a list of ways to earn them.

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I have a brightly colored large pencil box labeled "DEATHDOCK". Its where cell phones go to die. Usually only takes one sacrificial lamb per class to make the point. If a student is found using their phone without explicit permission, then receive a "sentence". Anywhere from 1-10 school days. They are responsible for keeping track of time served. They put their phone in the box upon entry, and remove it upon exit from class.

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Cell Phone jail. Collect them every class at the beginning, return them at the end of the day.

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Cell Phone jail. Collect them every class at the beginning, return them at the end of the day.

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We had 3 (empty) brownie boxes on the board. If the class behaved appropriately the boxes stayed up. If they got too rowdy or weren't doing assignments they lost a box. They could earn the boxes back. If all 3 boxes were up at the end of the week they earned "Reading and Eating" during SSR time on Friday.

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Area of classroom dedicated to housing all pencils, paper, lotion, germ-x, tissues, etc. so students don't interrupt my teaching when they need something minor. I teach them when it is and is not appropriate to get supplies.

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2 days per semester students have class period to turn in any late assignments without penalty. Students do not know when these days will occur.