Current Issues and Concerns

for Your Classroom  

With Jeff Bertrandt

Inspiring Your Students

 Building the Classroom

Community

Education is a process based on human relationships. Only people can inspire students in great numbers.

Technology Takeover

Computers and technology can enhance education but it can’t replace the inspiration of a great teacher.

 

Electronically Aided

A student already interested in a particular subject can be successful when the teaching relies primarily on technology.

Without that interest,

technology cannot

teach even reasonably

well, much less inspire a kid.

Got a Heartbeat?

That is why the core of the educational process is the human interaction between teacher and student.

Technology is only a tool.

The Relationship

Doing something you are interested in for someone you don’t like vs. doing something for someone you respect and care about

1. Higher quality work

2. Better job

3. Willing to seek help

A Brave New World Learning is a process of discovery.

Positive Environment

Students want to learn more Share more Make new connections Continue the exciting process of discovery

The Results

If you want high test scores at a school, creating positive relationships between teachers and students should be a high priority.

Positive relationship enhances student learning

Inspiring Your Students

Dire consequences When students feel threatened there

is a sharp decrease in:1. Motivation

2. Productivity

3. Achievement

A Cutting Touch

The Psychological threat that accompanies, sarcasm, criticism, and ridicule is as damaging as a physical threat.

Start Out Right

Foster relationships with kids before you have them in class

Letter of expectation Talk in the halls Be positive Don’t dwell on the consequences Don’t intimidate or scare kids off

Student Apprehension

Start the school year positively

and productively

The goal is for students to

consistently produce high

quality academic work

Your Classroom

Safety First

Must be non-threatening

Want kids to perceive it as a place where they can take risks, make mistakes and grow

Fear-laden Environment

Gets compliance

Has few disruptions

Perform marginally well on assessments

Will never produce their best work.

Clear Expectations

Be Real with the Kids

Tell them you are not there to punish them

Your objective is to teach them

It is a two-way street

Signs of Progress

When a student is working hard sometimes they will struggle

Academic struggles signal that students are actively engaged and trying to master concepts

Confusion, struggle and frustration indicate they are moving forward

Keep Pushing

So often it is easy for kids to give up when things get a little difficult

Too often teachers let kids off the hook

Frustration is part of the learning process, they need to push through it in order to master certain skills

Point of View

Try to get them to view academic struggles more positively.

Try to change from “I’m frustrated, I don’t get this.” to “I’m frustrated, if I can keep trying and concentrate, I can learn this even though it is difficult.”

A-ha Moment

When that kid does finally push through and “get’s it” it can be very exciting for them. That reality fosters greater academic achievement in the future.

Back to the Classroom

Techniques for classroom management Class Vision Class Rules Class Constitution

Student Participation

Let’s them take ownership Results in fewer disruptions Leads to increased academic

achievement Kids enjoy the process Helps you learn the values of the kids Identifies the classroom leaders

The First Day Test Variety of Icebreakers Give a short 10-20 question test about

yourself to the kids Make it personal Let them see you as more than just the

English teacher

 

Examples:

1. How long have I been a teacher?

2. What are 3 things I do for fun?

3. How many brothers and sisters

do I have?

4. What kind of music to I like?

5. Where did I grow up?

Turn it Around

Have the kids make up short tests about themselves and give it to one another

1. Lowers social barriers

2. Breaks up cliques

3. Eliminates stereotypes

Make the Connection

Get into academic work right away

Link initial activities with student learning so that they don’t separate team-building activities from academic work

Re-evaluate Your Focus

Administrators and School Districts are shifting our teaching focus solely to academic outcomes

What Effective Teachers Do More concerned about work habits

Pride in academic achievement

How well students interact with each other

Value in Outcomes

Student achievement is important but how are they getting there?

A Productive Classroom

Consistent production will come from students when teachers can link work habits, self-esteem, and positive academic interactions with their curriculum to achieve the academic outcomes they are looking for.

Things to Look for

Do students work diligently? Are students committed to quality? If some students are struggling, do others

offer help, or is it a classroom characterized by a “survival of the fittest” mentality?

Are students a unified group, or are there cliques and isolates within the group?

 Major Contributors

These issues play a key role in how much learning will occur

throughout the year.

Standard Set

Once a positive learning environment has been established, it must be maintained but energy can be focused on student learning and achievement.

Your Classroom

Once the positive learning community is set, learning is sustained by internal motivation, peer support, and a classroom where effort and achievement are the rule, not the exception.

Everybody is Important

Get ‘em Involved

Good teachers believe every kid has something positive to contribute to the classroom.

Stratified Class Environment

Your kids already come into your classroom with various labels

The “Winners”

Kids who are school-smart, or know how to play the school game well.

The “Losers”

The disconnected kids who rarely do quality work and frequently disrupt the learning of others.

The “Middle”

The largest group.

The kids that could go

either way.

The Misconception

1. Teachers are naïve.

2. Teachers are magicians

3. Teachers are miracle workers

The Reality

Teachers believe all kids can learn

All kids have value

All kids can contribute

Not all kids learn the same way

What We Do Know

Students who are valued – not patronized – and are given a challenging, manageable environment do their best work.

When students put forth their best effort and make academic gains they feel good about themselves as learners and appreciate the opportunity to contribute positively to the class.

The Players

Matchers

Look for similarities and how to fit in.

Matchers are generally managed easily because they tend to agree and conform

Mismatchers

Students who learn most easily by searching for differences, exceptions, and discrepancies.

They learn by identifying what doesn’t fit. They look for what violates the norm. Likely to argue and point out

discrepancies.

Mismatches

Get Frustrated?

This type of student can be very frustrating to a teacher because they just come off as disruptive, argumentative, and difficult. Often times they just seem to be attention seeking.

The Thought Process

Mismatchers are actually sorting through information in a way that is meaningful to them.

Mismatchers who argue are not actually being disrespectful or disruptive. Arguing is evidence that the material actively engages them.

What to do?

When mismatchers are managed the right way and they feel their opinion and contribution is valued thy can actually become a great asset to your classroom.

When they feel valued they will begin to only contribute when they have something meaningful to add, not just to be acknowledged and remind everyone that they are still there.

The Extroverts

Piece of cake, these kids are lively and engaged and don’t need much encouragement to participate.

The Introverts

The quiet and timid kids.

Introverts

Extroverts

Causes to Introvert

If students come across as introverts because they are afraid to speak up because they may be criticized, ridiculed or belittled, something is wrong.

The Other Hand

Some students learn more by watching and internally processing as they make meaning.

Introverts are just a different learning style.

Options Explaining to kids why something is

important will help them to perceive the value and are more willing to break out of their comfort zone to participate or present.

Using Cooperative Learning Groups

Cooperative learning groups can enhance inclusion in a classroom.

Pitfalls of Group Work

1. Kids do not walk into your classroom with group skills in place

2. They do not always know how to work effectively or responsibly in a group.

3. Powerful students may bully others.4. One student or a few students may end up doing all

the work5. Other students see the opportunity to freeload6. Minimal learning will occur7. Teachers see it as a waste of time.

What to do? Cliques and patterns form when groups

are not mixed up regularly Clearly divide roles and responsibilities Everyone needs to positively contribute

one thing to the group. Group evaluations Peer evaluations

A Real Challenge

Emphasizing learning more than grades. Ability levels vary in each classroom by as

much as 3 years in one grade. Sole emphasis on grades creates a

competitive environment where some kids are “winners” while other kids are “losers”

What to do?

Talk to kids about individual expectations. Make them understand what their

role/job/responsibility is. Keep each kid focused Expect their best Don’t compare them to each other Explain individual achievement

A Passion for Teaching and Learning

Interpersonal relationships with students is important but having

enthusiasm for the subject matter is equally critical.

Enthusiasm for your topic may not always be contagious but boredom in your classroom

can be deadly.

How to Inspire

Communicate your excitement with engaging lessons

Make them experience the joy of learning Teach with passion Show them that studying can be

interesting, stimulating, and it is worth working hard to learn.

Make Your Lessons Relevant

If you want students to remember what you teach, make it relevant to their lives.

You should be able to explain to anyone why what you are teaching is important and how it can help them in the future.

Mix up the Strategies

1. Hands on

2. Names

3. Simulations

Give Meaningful Homework

What to give and how much?

1. Explain what you are giving to them as homework and why it is important.

2. Give homework that allows students to practice skills to improve performance.

3. Be Realistic