The list of lessons learned is endless, but as I enter the second month of my second semester of teaching, here are a few that come straight to mind:
- Always keep thank you cards, you never know when a student deserves one, or you need to thank someone.
- Remember to smile at their jokes.
- I make jokes that make them laugh! Keep doing that.
- Humor gets you through everything.
- Don't try shouting over them, it never works!
- Stand at the board and write, they get quiet, as they try to read what your writing.
- When technology doesn't work, go to the old-fashioned methods. Easel paper ROCKS! Plus it is an example of real writing for the students to see - even to write themselves!
- Sometimes it is quicker to write it on paper, than to try and get the screen down and the iPad and the Internet to work.
- Write with the students.
- Read with the students.
- Sit at their desks and talk to them. They love to feel that you are treating them as equals in some way.
- Take some days to catch up on curriculum, don't always rush to the next thing.
- It is better that they learn something well than a lot of little things badly.
- There is always another day, there is always another paper to grade, there is always more busywork, but there are only so many opportunities to teach a good lesson.
I found this article, "Good Teaching: The Top Ten Requirements" from Colorado State University - I love it - teacher friends, I hope that you do too!
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