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Being an Effective Teacher Today

Six Simple Strategies for Success in the Classroom

© Cheryl Carpinello

Jun 20, 2008

Individualizing Students

Talk to or greet all students as they come in the classroom every day. For high school teachers, this may seem daunting, but it is worth it. Remember, no matter what type of school you teach in, your friendly greeting may be the only kind word a student receives each day. As an extension of this, make sure to talk to students in the hall, if only to say hi.

Be sure to hear every student's voice each day. This means arranging activities so that you must call on all students sometime during the class. Try not call on a student twice until all students have had a chance to give an answer. Once this is instituted, it is remarkable how students respond. Does this take longer? Yes, but it is worth it.

Learning Names

Learn all your students' names in two weeks. Make a seating chart no later than the second day. Let students know that you are not allowed to call on them if you cannot remember their names. They love the concept! Use the seating chart to cheat! They will reward you.

Inform them that by the end of two weeks, you will be able to call them by name in the hall, but will not be able to remember which class they are in until the end third week. Then at the end of a month, change their seats. This challenges you because you will find that you only know some of their names because you memorized where they sat.

Seeking Students Out

Make them feel welcome. Invite them into your room before and after school for extra help or to work on other assignments. Let them know that they are welcome to come in when you have your planning period. By all means, encourage them to come in during the lunch hour especially if they have no place else to go.

Travel to the library or the lunchroom. Find students you know, visit with them, find out what they are up to. While at first embarrassing to them when they are with their peers, they quickly come to enjoy the contact, and they will frequently hail you from across the cafeteria.

Classroom Management

Who makes the rules? Letting students make the rules does not work well in today's classroom. The main things students are crying out for are structure and boundaries. Many do not have either outside of the school setting. Be fair, firm, and simple with your rules. They will grumble at first, but will be grateful later. You will hear them discussing the disorganization of other classrooms with their friends when they think you cannot hear.

Discovery Learning

Guide students in discovery, do not give it to them. Let go of your need to control the classroom. Learn to ask open-ended questions in discussions. And, most importantly, give students the time to formulate their answer. Honor that wait time. Few are able to answer a question intelligently without the opportunity to think first.

Let students know they are responsible for the learning in the classroom. A teacher is their guide. The students need to know the material so that they can spot inaccuracies.

Frequently, see if the class is in agreement with information or an answer that is given. Eventually students will take the hint that maybe the information or answer isn't as exact as it should be. This will lead to the opening of books and/or notes. Be sure to question them even when they are right so that they gain confidence in themselves.

Model Learning

Never be afraid to tell students that you made a mistake or that you do not know something. Model being a learner for them. Come back the next day, admit the mistake, correct the error, and move on. Show them how easy it is to admit and correct a mistake.

When you do not know something, tell them. Later that day or that night, do your research. Come in the next day and share what you found. Better yet, get your students to start doing this. Even taking class time to look up the information demonstrates the importance of learning.

The underlying philosophy of all effective teachers is simple: Never forget that a teacher is there to guide students in the discovery of knowledge about themselves and the world they live in. Convey that by learning students' names quickly, connecting with them outside of the classroom like the cafeteria or librarty, leading them in discovering answers on their own, building their confidence and other opportunities that you find. You will find that the students will respond in a positive and enthusiastic manner.

The copyright of the article Being an Effective Teacher Today in Teacher Tips/Training is owned by Cheryl Carpinello. Permission to republish Being an Effective Teacher Today in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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