If you notice something may be wrong with a student, take the time to speak to them alone to ask if they’re okay. The fact that you noticed shows them you care and may give that student the courage to speak-up about whatever is wrong. Be aware of how you approach a student for a one-on-one conversation. Many students may automatically assume such a talk is required because they did something wrong. Approach the student with a smile and start by complimenting them (e. g. “nice shirt!”, “great question in class today!”, etc. ) and then ask if they have some time for a chat. You are also likely to be approached by a student who may want to talk to you in private. Try to work these requested conversations into your schedule the best you can. If you don’t have time immediately, admit that and tell the student you’ll follow-up with them very shortly to let them know when you do have time. And then, of course, follow up.
When you teach something brand new in class, there are going to be students who get it right away, and students who need some time to grasp the new concept. Students who need more time to grasp new concepts may feel embarrassed if they’re asked a question they cannot answer. Try to assess which students in your class are quick learners and which students are more thoughtful. Try not to put students who need time to think about a concept on the spot in the first few classes that you teach a new topic. It’s also important to avoid rushing through a topic without ensuring the students understand it. While you may not be able to go slow enough for the slowest student (just like you can’t go fast enough for the fastest student), you should at least go slow enough for a decent majority of the class. You may be able to tell if the class needs more time on a certain topic by asking open-ended questions about what parts they think make sense, and what parts they think are confusing. Get them to discuss the topic to see where you may need to expand your lesson.
There could be a number of underlying reasons why a student isn’t trying as hard as they can. Take the time to find out why a specific student isn’t performing up to par. Don’t automatically assume they’re being lazy. When you come across a student like this, approach them respectfully in private (don’t have this discussion in front of the other students). Tell them your concerns, but also tell them that you think they’re really smart and could do so much better if they did something specific (and provide a very specific action item). Work with that student by challenging them to perform increasingly complex tasks until they reach a point where they’ve gained enough confidence to continue performing at a high level on their own.
Sometimes the easiest way to explain something complicated is to break it down into smaller pieces and explain each small piece individually. Visuals of any kind can make a subject much easier to learn, as a student doesn’t have to try to guess how something works or what it looks like. While you certainly want to expand your students’ vocabulary as much as possible, there are limits. If you’re using a word found only in a university textbook, you’re probably getting a little too complicated.
Remember, there is no stupid question. Never put a student down for asking a question, no matter what it is. If it’s an inappropriate question, explain to the student, and the class, why it’s inappropriate. Even if you’re getting impatient and frustrated on the inside, keep your composure on the outside. If you need to vent about something your students did to a fellow teacher or friend later, that’s fine. Some students try to get extra attention by acting out in class, disrupting your lesson, and causing the other students to lose focus. While this is annoying, keep in mind that there may be something happening to this student personally that is causing this behaviour.
Again, there are no stupid questions. If a student asks a question, it probably means there’s something they don’t understand or are confused about. Use their question as a guide to further explaining whatever was confusing. People of all ages have opinions, and there are no wrong opinions. Respect what your students have to say, and engage them in a conversation about their opinions without using your more extensive knowledge or experience to put them down. Help teach your students how to argue and justify an opinion without disrespecting someone who has a different opinion.
Focus on addressing bad behaviour that is disrespectful, cruel, mean, or physical. When bad behaviour does happen in your classroom, use it as a teaching moment for the rest of the class to better understand why that behaviour is inappropriate. Even if a student is being disrespectful to you with their behaviour, you shouldn’t be disrespectful to them with your behaviour. Keep your cool and demonstrate how you’re the bigger person.
Career planning doesn’t have to be taken on by you, as the teacher, alone. Invite guest speakers to your classroom to help explain a specific career or how one might decide what career they want to pursue.
Engage and interact with your students while you’re teaching, don’t just write endless words on the board. Rather than telling your students everything, ask them to provide opinions, ideas, or even guesses. Ask your students to explain WHY something is the way it is. Sometimes understanding the ‘why’ makes understanding the ‘what’ much easier. Invent and play games that teach the subject in an interactive and exciting manner. Use images, pictures, and videos as often as possible. If the subject can be taught ‘hands-on,’ get your students involved in the lesson. Read the article How to Make Learning Fun.
There is a never-ending array of comics and memes on the internet for just about any subject you can think of. Consider finding these pictures and putting them up around the classroom. Think about including a joke of the day or other activity to your classroom to start off a lesson and grab your students’ attention. Laugh at some of the jokes your students say as part of their answers. Yes, it may mean they didn’t study, but getting mad at them isn’t likely to help. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Teaching isn’t easy and you’re going to mess up every now and again. Try not to get upset about your mistakes, instead, find humour in the situation when you can and laugh about it.
You may teach a subject that you absolutely love more than anything else in the world. Show that passion off to your students. It’s amazing how contagious passion can be.
Once you walk in the door of the school, put your personal problems aside until you’re outside of school again. Smile to your students and other teachers. And keep that smile going throughout your whole day.
This might also be a great opportunity to have your students present to the class, instead of you. Make it an assignment that each student, or group of students, has to present a topic of their choice to the class.
If you are learning about local history, plan a field trip to a local museum. When teaching a new math concept, use math manipulatives so they can see and feel the lesson.
