How to Be An Effective Teacher

Margaret AdamsMelrose Public Schools

August 2012

1

WHY YOU NEED TO SUCCEED ON THE FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL

Chapter 12

ObjectivesParticipants will be able to… Discuss the key characteristics of

“effective teachers.” Name specific strategies to set positive

expectations with students. Outline first day script for their classroom. Outline a classroom discipline plan.

State your objectives at the beginning of every lesson. Post the objectives on the board. They should always begin with “Students will be able to…” Return to your objectives at the end of the lesson.

3

Agenda First Day Scripts What is an Effective Teacher? Positive Expectations Classroom Management

Rules Consequences Classroom Discipline Plan

Post your agenda for the lesson everyday! Review it at the beginning of the class. Return to it at the end of class.

4

Three Steps to Teaching Procedures1. Teach. State, explain, model, and

demonstrate the procedure.2. Rehearse. Rehearse and practice the

procedure under your supervision.3. Reinforce. Reteach, rehearse, practice,

and reinforce the classroom procedure until it becomes a student habit or routine.

p. 1755

Give Me Five1. Eyes on speaker.2. Quiet3. Be still.4. Hands free (put things down)5. Listen

p. 185 6

Important Facts Successful teachers have a script or plan

ready for the first day of school.

The most important thing to establish in the first week of school is CONSISTENCY.

Effective teachers teach classroom management procedures that create consistency.

p. 3-4 7

Important Facts Effective teachers have lesson plans and

procedures that produce student learning.

Effective teachers establish control over the classroom in the very first week of school.

p. 3-4 8

Effective Teacher Use a script to organize the class the first

week. Continually acquire knowledge and skills. Produce results. Impacts and touches lives

p. 3-4 9

First Day Scripts As we go through two teacher’s first-day

scripts, think What content did they cover? What was the tone? What was the message to students? What do you think the students got out of

these presentations? What do you think the teachers got out of

creating these presentations?

10

Think, Pair, Share1. Think about the questions. Take notes

if you need to.2. Sit knee to knee.3. Quickly choose who will go first.4. Partner 1 talks.5. Partner 2 talks.6. Speaker speaks loudly and clearly.7. Listener listens with a calm body.8. Everyone takes responsibility for their

own listening.9. Be prepared to share with the class.

11

Three Most Important Components Let’s agree on the three most important

components of a first-day script that can be consistently implemented.

12

13

What is the procedure to be implemented?

Who will do this procedure?

How will the procedure be presented? (PowerPoint presentation, tri-fold brochure, classroom poster)

When will the procedure be taught? (One the first day, student survey, personal reflection, etc.)

How will feedback be collected? (Peer observation, student survey, personal reflection, etc.)

What revisions are needed to improve this procedure? (Teach it a different time, review and critique it daily, etc.

WHAT IS AN EFFECTIVE TEACHER?

Chapter 214

The Effective Teacher1. Exhibits positive expectations for all

students.2. Establishes good classroom management

techniques. 3. Design lessons for student mastery.

Chapter 2 15

16

With positive expectations

Without positive expectations

With classroom management

Without classroom management

With lesson mastery

Without lesson mastery

Look Like

Sound Like

Feel Like

CHARACTERISTICS #1: POSITIVE EXPECTATIONS

Unit B17

The Effective Teacher Has a statement of positive expectations

ready for the first day of school. Creates a classroom climate that

communicates positive expectations. Conveys positive expectations to all

students. Has a personal attitude of high

expectations.

p. 44 18

Areas where we can convey high expectations for students

Ways to convey high expectations in this area

Introductory script for day one

Homework assignments

Classroom environment

Answering student questions

19

Suggestions for Positive Expectations Dress for respect. Stand at the door, smile, welcome

students, and extend a hand of welcome. Be intentionally inviting.

Assignment, “Do Now” posted on the board.

The room and materials are ready. Post inspirational sayings.

20

Suggestions for Positive Expectation Address students by name. Say “please” and “thank you.” Has a controlled, disarming smile. Is loving and caring, lovable and capable.

p.7621

CHARACTERISTICS #2: CLASSROOM MANAGEMENTClassroom management is the most important factor governing learning.

Unit C starting on page 7822

What is Classroom Management? Refers to all of the things a teacher does

to organize students, space, time, and materials so student learning can take place.

A well managed classroom has a set of procedures and routines that structure the classroom.

p. 83-8423

Characteristics of a Well-Managed Classroom1. Students are deeply involved with their

work.2. Students know what is expected of them

and are generally successful. 3. There is relatively little wasted time,

confusion, or disruption.4. The climate of the classroom is work

oriented but relaxed and pleasant.

p.85 See chart of page 8624

A Successful Restaurant is Ready

The table is ready. The dining room is

ready. The staff is ready.

A Successful Teacher is Ready

The work is ready. The room is ready. The teacher is

ready. Have your

classroom ready, every single day, especially the first days of school.

p. 9125

The Ineffective Teacher…

Which characteristic of a well-managed classroom does this violate?

What would an effective’s classroom look like, or how might you do this differently?

Takes attendance and dallies.

Is the one doing the work.

Tells but does not rehears procedures.

Says, “Read chapter 3 and know the material.”

Yells and flicks lights.

Is asked repeatedly, “What are we doing today?”

26

Starting the First Day of School Greet students at the door with a smile

and hand shake every day. Have seating chart prepared. Have an assignment ready and posted, i.e.

your “Do Now.” Set expectation and procedure for how

students will enter the classroom. (Stop class a few minutes before the end

to discuss procedure for exiting class.)

p. 11427

“Do Now” Your first priority is not to take atendance;

it is to get the students to work immediately.

Post an assignment before the students enter the room.

Post the assignment in the same location every day.

28

HOW TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE PLAN

29

Rules Rules are to set limits. Students need to feel that someone is in

control and responsible for their environment-someone who not only sets limits but also maintains them.

The function of a rule is to prevent or encourage behavior by clearly stating student expectations.

No more than 5 rules.

30

Two Kinds of RulesGeneral Rules Respect others. Be polite and

helpful. Keep the room

clean.

Specific Rules In class when the

bell rings. No offensive

language. Hands, feet, and

objectives to yourself.

p. 151Use rules to state your specific behavior expectations, know what work you want performed.

31

Procedure for Group Work1. You are responsible for your own job and

the results of the group.2. If you have a question, ask members in

your group. 3. You must be willing to help if a group

member asks for help.4. If no one can answer a question, then

agree on a consensus question and appoint one person to raise a hand for help from the teacher.

p. 209 32

Drafting Class Rules Work in grade level/department clusters to

develop specific rules for your classroom.

33

Consequences Consequences are what result when a

person abides by or breaks a rule. Discuss with students a fact of life: Every

action results in a consequence. Two kinds of consequences: rewards or

penalties. Do not stop instruction when carrying out

out a consequence.

p. 15334

Continue Working on Discipline Plan Work in grade level/department groups to

draft your classroom discipline plan.

35

Classroom Procedures that Must Become Student Routines1. Beginning of period (page 197)2. Quieting a class (page 182)3. Students seeking help (page 186)4. Movement of pages (page 198)5. End of period (page 178)

p. 174

See page 193 for a full list of possible procedures.36

First New Teacher Meeting Bring a copy of your first day script with

procedures outlined. Bring a copy of your classroom rules. Read “Unit C: Classroom Management” in

The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher.

37

ObjectivesParticipants will be able to… Discuss the key characteristics of

“effective teachers.” Name specific strategies to set positive

expectations with students. Outline first day script for their classroom. Outline a classroom discipline plan.

State your objectives at the beginning of every lesson. Post the objectives on the board. They should always begin with “Students will be able to…” Return to your objectives at the end of the lesson.

38

Agenda First Day Scripts What is an Effective Teacher? Positive Expectations Classroom Management

Rules Consequences Classroom Discipline Plan

Post your agenda for the lesson everyday! Review it at the beginning of the class. Return to it at the end of class.

39