Mod. #7: a Smooth Class

I am sure it's the warm weather, or possibly the end of the school year excitement, which ever one - the 4th grade classroom is full of chatty laughter, anxious movement, and plenty of excessive drama (btwn boys/girls... girls/girls... boys/boys)  --- you name it.  It's there.

The teacher of this classroom has the calmest composure I have ever witnessed.  She never raises her voice, her temperament is in a constant even line.  I'm in awe over this ability.  When one student is being disruptive she calmly states: (name) - that's a level.  Each level represents time periods of either missing recess or staying after school.  On level 4 they miss the monthly "frenzie" - a party for all the 4th graders who have kept a good record in attendance, homework, classwork, and respectfulness.  At level 5 they are sent to another room to fill out a "think sheet" - claiming their misbehavior and then explaining how this will be fixed.  It works wonders with this group.

If the entire class is out of whack a bit, a 'second' timer is started, which she holds in her hand patiently and quietly at the front of the room until the desired atmosphere is met. With no yelling, raised tension, or aggravation: her purpose is met and understood completely.

Every morning the class is introduced to the schedule for the day, what to expect, what changes have been made, and what is expected of them from the teacher.  I am amazed how responsible and grown up these 9 & 10 year old's can be when given the responsibility to act in the teacher's expected manner.  The entire classroom is clean and organized, a place for everything and EVERYTHING in it's place.  (I have thought about taking photo's for myself --- for future help."

I asked her the other day how she keeps her cool in the classroom.
She glanced sideways at me, and with a slight grin coupled with a sarcastic laugh she replied:  "I don't..."  She does.  I'm amazed.  Always. 

Mod. #6: Best Teaching Practices/Strategies

I believe math and science are two of the easier subjects to have children participate in, mentally - physically - using all their senses to gain knowledge by more than just sitting at their desks, taking notes (& then dozing off or fidgeting w/ their neighbors or made up toys).

My chosen classroom works on math & science when I am in there to volunteer.  I am amazed at their brilliance. Today - while preparing them for their unit test in science, the teacher was performing a song for them about the different rocks in the rock cycle.  Singing to the tune of "Row Row Row Your Boat" - she introduced them to singing in a round (which was hilarious to watch - as it seemed that most of them had never participated in such a thing before).  By the end of the song, the participation level was high, the children were giggling over the fact that "it sounded like gibberish", and then continued singing for their own pleasure.  

A smooth transition was then made - going into math.  Fractions.  Adding fractions.  Comparing fractions.  Learning about fractions.  Yesterday they were given a problem:

The following fractions are not equal.  

Why?  

Which one would be the larger?

1/2 + 1/3 or 2/5?

She had them work alone on this problem yesterday, then turn in their work (even if they had written nothing down - she just wanted to see where their thought process was heading). 

Today she handed back their work, explaining that some of them were spot on, some still needed to investigate a little bit more.  The students were put into groups of 3 for about 15 minutes to discuss their findings.  I walked around listening to their ideas, as they took out strips of paper to make the different fractions, or watched them draw pictures - some pie graphs, others were rectangles portraying the different measurements.  I was amazed at their ability to figure something out -- before being fully taught.  Some helped those who weren't understanding by drawing it out, then using physical items to state their claim.  In the end, everyone sat back in their seats while the teacher called on 5 children to show off their handy work.  

I truly believe children today are quicker thinkers and are more intelligent than we give them credit for.  I really love that this teacher lets them use their imaginations to figure out ways of learning math and science.  

Mod. 5: Important Roles of Teachers

Hammering down THE most important role of a teacher (in my mind) is comparable to labeling an entire class under one word.  It can't be done.  There are so many important roles that a teacher plays, to me, in this time in my career path and through my hours of working in the classroom, one of the most important roles would be the role of caretaker and mentor.

A teacher needs to appreciate each child under their care.  With such a wide range of characters and learning capabilities, it is imperative that (even as difficult as it may be on some days) the teacher have equal amount of concern and care of each of his/her students.  I have learned from watching and asking questions that in order for a teacher to gain the trust of her students they must know that she appreciates them unconditionally.  One of the teachers that I have come in contact with was telling me that she was reading something in one of her students journals, talking about the teacher - mentioning how he thinks she's "so mean.  She seems so grumpy sometimes".  She told me, "that changed everything.  I knew I needed to change.  I look at it as - some of these children see me and are under my care for more hours in the day then their actual parents.  I need to make sure that they know they are appreciated and loved for who they are and what they can be."

Another teacher told me to deal and correct those who might be challenging and then focus on the positive aspects of the day (to keep your sanity in tact).  I think my children have appreciated those teachers who have taken the time out to help them as needed and have empathized with them when they feel overwhelmed or confused in a certain area.  Again, as long as the student knows they can trust their teacher, and that they won't be belittled by their teacher, they will respect him/her that much more.

Hats off to teachers!