some thoughts to share, pt 3

Here are more exciting and effective things I've done (or try to do) while teaching. Enjoy.

1. Set up your room in a way that facilitates teacher (and student) movement around the room.

2. If a student asks you a question you've just explained to another person, politely direct them to that person. This works especially well during group work by saving you from having to repeat the same thing numerous times. It also allows for an element of peer tutoring, which is great! (Make sure to check in on the students later).

3. "Wait time" for student response should be ~7 seconds...which may feel like an eternity because people generally fear silence. This is also the reason that Jimmy will finally erupt in an amazing display of compelling monologue at about 6.5 seconds.

4. Don't usually call on the "hand raisers". This will break a long-standing "If I don't raise my hand or make eye contact, I'm safe from the wrath of the teacher's questioning" strategy. (And, don't worry, those "hand-raisers" will not be daunted; it's in their blood and you will not break their spirit by not calling on them). My rule of thumb: I call on the "hand-callers" ~40% and the "duck and covers" the rest of the time. (Rule of thumb subject to revision, based on subject matter, time remaining in class, kid chemistry, and a varietal mix of other things).

5. Keep a close watch on your voice decible level. I sometimes find myself a slave to my perception, especially when I think our class is mentally wandering away. Kids will always push you to new heights of volume. Don't let them.

6. To facilitate an environment of collaboration and mutual respect, I refer to our class as "our" class, not "my" class.

7. I've got a few signs up in our classroom. I consider them pretty darned important to keeping order and upholding rigor and high expectations. Here they are. You can have them, if you want:
When you think you're done, you're probably not. (our class motto)
Don't watch the clock, just do what it does: keep going! -Sam Levinson
What have you learned today, Tabe bu Jua? (from the book Ishmael by Daniel Quinn)
Ask three, THEN me. (Thank you, Megan Freeman!)
Knowledge is power. -Alex Pope?
Knowing stuff is cool!