DAYS AWAY FROM LAUNCHING: CLASS MATTERS
Since I am always concerned with What
Teachers Want
besides What
Teachers Need,
whenever the chance arises, I ask classroom colleagues these two questions.
Although a fine line exists between Want –desires for a satisfying career-
and Need-
what is necessary for a successful career, all too often during a school term,
we teachers know the lines cross instead of remaining parallel. Statisticians
rely on quantitative answers. Me? I prefer qualitative knowledge
- what I
learn from my
colleagues. The
following list
reveals some
of the answers to years of asking, “What do teachers Want?”. I
have compiled CLASS
MATTERS: Planning, Teaching, and Managing Secondary Classes to meet the wants and needs of my classroom colleagues leading students in grades 6-12.
1. Students
should
come to school ready and excited to learn.
2. I would
be a happy camper if students completed their homework on time. I assign it so
they can increase their knowledge,
and so I
can see how I
can help them understand
what
we are studying.
3. Oh, to
never again hear, “Oh, that’s right. We’re having a test today. Well, I forgot
to study.”
4. When I ask
for their thoughts and analysis, I don’t want students to answer what they
think I want to hear. I want them to think and to share their thoughts.
5. What is most aggravating is that
it’s usually the kids who don’t turn their work in on time who complain when I don’t
hand their papers back the very next class. How is this respectful?
6. Can they
please, please get to class on time? It’s not fair to the others when I have to
repeat what I have already covered.
7. Although
my
colleagues and I work together to follow the criteria set by the Program of
Studies and how to weight our grades, we have different class rules.,
and that should be respected by students, colleagues, administrators and
parents.
8. Students
need
to understand that school rules are in place for their safety and well-being
and to create a positive and courteous learning environment. Running in the
halls, texting,
listening
to music on their IPods, or whatever, foul language and dressing
inappropriately for school are detrimental to this goal.
9. All I
ask is
that students just try in each aspect of school
life, be it
academic,
social, behavioral,
or extra-curricular
areas.
Not only does this collection include
handouts and printables to
meet both your wants and needs in these
three areas, but it offers posts that
suggest how, when and why the various focuses will be most useful to you. Although
some of the information here is self-explanatory to rookie and veteran
teachers, other ideas become clearer
with a short discussion. And sometimes
…sometimes we just need enlightenment on how to use a new item because we just. don’t.
have. a. free.
brain. cell. to. think. about. it.
This 100 page teacher resource is divided into
sections: Planning, Teaching, and Managing. Within each segment I have
interspersed blogs to show teachers how to efficiently create lesson plans, classroom
rules, and behavior standards. Numerous teaching ideas , handouts and classroom
management forms will meet many of your
wants and needs. In the final pages, I invite you to take a break from all of
your planning and organizing, and to kick back and relax with two posts: A Labor Day Lesson: A Contemporary
Tale, and
In
Defense of Teenagers.
Stay Tuned, and remember-
CLASS Matters, and
CLASS MATTERS always matter.
Connie
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