Response to discussion 100 words per person
Kelli
How do I begin to note only three most valuable ideas for my current teaching assignment? Units A, B and C in Rosemary and Harry Wong’s The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher are filled with wonderful advice and ideas. The most compelling and convicting concept that struck me is the significance of my expectations for my students on their lives. I have several classes that have proved to be quite difficult to teach in. I do not have the best classroom management in them and it affects my attitude toward my students and my students’ attitudes toward me and about themselves. I have found myself having negative expectations such as “What’s wrong with these kids? They don’t want to learn. They can’t read. They can’t behave” (Wong, 2018, p. 50) Reading about how “teacher expectations have the power to affect student outcomes” is incredibly convicting and yet encouraging (Wong, p. 54). I really need to “revamp” my own attitude. The Wong’s also include a quote from Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t– you are right” (p. 54). I pray that I can begin to believe this and inspire my students to believe they CAN learn and succeed.
As mentioned above, my classroom management needs work. The unit on classroom management in the Wongs’ book certainly validates the deep significance of keeping the classroom running smoothly. I found the following quote to be eye-opening: “The least important factor influencing student success is the demographics of the student body…Once and for all, let’s stop using student demographics as an excuse for lack of achievement. Classroom management, not demographics, determines success” (2018, p. 92). I have learned, am learning, so much every day in the classroom which I am seeking to apply to how I interact with my students. One thing of which I would love to interact with other teachers in this class, is what good classroom management looks like in high school. I hear from many veteran teachers, “Be mean! You have to be mean!” I can “be mean” and have been, but I do not really feel like myself when I am. I certainly do not want to be uninviting to my students. I am working on the balance of having high expectations – including behavior- and being gracious with my students. Wong says that discipline is “mandating COMPLIANCE from students” but “effective teachers teach RESPONSIBILITY to classroom procedures” (2018, p.94). I sense the difference here and feel like I have been doing the former, rather than teaching responsibility. I look forward to seeking to put this into practice in the future.
Tannisa
After reading the text, what three things did you find most valuable to your current teaching assignment?
The first thing most valuable to me was to be an effective teacher. As teachers we have to have positive expectations for our students to believe that they can achieve. It does not matter what level they are on. As teachers we must make sure our students succeed. The second most valuable thing to me is always being prepared and plan good lessons. I teach PE and Health, so I try to plan fun activities that go with the lessons for each unit. We have to plan, plan, and plan some more. The third most valuable thing is to dress for success. As teachers, we must dress professional everyday. We have to dress our part. If we dress like our students, they will more than likely not take you serious.
How are they going to help you with your current students?
By being an effective teacher, I will gain my students respect and we will have an understanding of how my classroom will be operated. I already have good management techniques. While being prepared for class means that I will have full control of my classroom at all times. I will not have any down time because I have planned accordingly. Also, by dressing professionally, I will gain more respect from them because I want be dressed like a student. According to Harry Wong, “The greatest asset of a school is its people.”
What did you find most beneficial from the text?
The most beneficial part for me was how I can organize my first day of school protocols. I just believe on a first day you should get to know your students and make sure they feel welcomed. I always have an activity planned show that each student is involved on the first day.
Candace
After reading the book, “The First Days of School”, I gained some helpful information that can help me in the classroom. The three topics that stood out are positive expectation, classroom management, and closing student achievement gap. In my classroom, I always try to have positive energy in everything. I teach my students to lift each other up. Classroom management can be a hit or miss. Most experts expect every teacher to have great classroom management. If I start my year off right with good expectations, rules, and structure, it will remain that way all year. I believe in setting routines and rituals in the classroom, so the students know exactly what is expected of them. In the classroom, there will be a gap between the students. It will take time, patience, and hard work to close that gap between them. I believe that when a student does achieve a goal at their own pace, it should be celebrated. Positive expectation was the one that stood out the most to me. I am learning new ways to show my students that I am proud of them and want them to continue to grow. Students tend react either positively or negatively towards a teacher depending on how the teacher reacts towards them.
According to Harry Wong, “You can accomplish anything with students if you set high expectations for behavior and performance by which you yourself abide (Wong & Wong, 2018). I always show my students what I expect them to do. I set positive tones, encouraging words, and demonstrate good behavior in the classroom. Students feeds off the teacher energy and tone to determine their behavior. We must continue to build and pour into our future leaders.