Effective Teaching A ThreePoint Plan for Success in

Effective Teaching: A Three-Point Plan for Success in the Classroom Anthony Lisa Professor Dougherty Student Teaching Seminar Dowling College April 26, 2013

How to be an Effective Teacher • • Success on the first days of school Modeling Positive Expectations of students These three elements provide a framework that will enable effective teaching and promote optimal student learning

Success begins during the summer • Successful teachers carefully plan the various aspects of the school year well in advance • These aspects include rules and expectations, curriculum mapping, unit plans, and lesson plans • Having a cohesive and clear plan going into the year will ensure a well-organized and consistent classroom

Part I: Successful teachers have a plan ready for the first day of school • What you do on the first days of school will dictate your success for the rest of the year • The most important thing to establish during the first week of school is CONSISTENCY (Wong and Wong, 2009) • Students excel in a safe and predictable environment • Form relationships with students and parents

Forming Rules and Expectations • Effective teachers construct classroom rules and expectations with students • Explain the importance of these items • Use positive language • Make clear to students the reasons behind these points

Classroom Management Plans • Classroom Management begins on the first day of school • Establishing classroom practices and procedures creates a consistent environment • Students know what is expected of them • The room is structured for productive work • The climate is positive and work-oriented (Wong & Wong, 2009)

Control • Student achievement is directly linked to the extent to which the teacher establishes good control of classroom procedures during the first week. • It is reassuring to students that the classroom environment is stable and they know what is expected of them • “There is overwhelming evidence that the first two weeks of school are critical in determining how well students will achieve for the remainder of the year, ” (Wong & Wong, 2009).

Be Consistent • Once you’ve established expectations, follow through with them to establish credibility • If you say you are going to grade papers by the end of the week, grade them! • Hold students accountable to the standards agreed upon at the beginning of the year • When teachers fail to follow through with promises or consequences, the student’s ability to succeed is adversely affected (Carlsom, 2003)

Part II: Modeling • Our appearances as teachers are the first thing students see when they walk in • An effective teacher dresses appropriately to model success • Students learn what is appropriate in society by looking at role models, such as TEACHERS!

Every Action has an equal and opposite reaction • Every action you make as a teacher makes a statement to students: • When you walk into class late, have a scowl on your face, or allow teasing, you are making a statement • When you are in class early, standing at the door with a smile, and ready to work, you are creating a positive classroom environment

Respect • How we dress has an effect on students’ respect for us as teachers • Respect is necessary for learning to take place • Everything we do, what we establish the first week of school, and how we are dressed all affect student learning • Respect lays the groundwork for an environment conducive to learning on all levels • Invest the time in each student to find what is valuable to them and show your appreciation for this (Carlson, 2003).

Your dress has 4 main effects: • Respect, Credibility, Acceptance, Authority • Will help you influence students to learn • “When you select your clothes each day, you are making a statement about yourself to the world” (Wong & Wong, 2009) • Students notice how teachers dress • Learning begins with gaining the respect of students, which begins with your appearance

Our Duty • My philosophy of education involves preparing students to face the challenges of the real world • How students dress, act, and carry themselves is an integral part of success after school • As teachers, we must model success to students in all forms: appearance, actions, ethics, morals, and manners

Part III: Positive Expectations • Teachers who practice positive expectations will help their students reach high standards • Research has shown that teacher expectations play a significant role in determining how well and how much students learn • Self-fulfilling prophecy • Low expectations= Subpar results

Great Expectations • According to the U. S. Department of Education: • “Students tend to learn as little or as much as their teachers expect. Teachers who set and communicate high expectations to all their students obtain greater academic performance from these students than teachers who set low expectations. ” • The expectations we have of students influence how we treat them

The Effective Teacher • Has a statement of positive expectations ready on the first day of school that is displayed clearly in the classroom • Creates a classroom atmosphere that expresses acceptance and conveys positive expectations for all students to excel • Has a personal attitude of high expectations that influences student attitudes

Make Everyone a Winner • Teacher should challenge students to stretch for growth and improvement • Create an atmosphere that emphasizes the value of each student and encourages cooperation, trust, and mutual benefit • Build opportunities for students to applaud one another’s achievements (Carlson, 2003)

Success in the Classroom=Life Success • Our expectations of students will influence their scholastic achievement • Their classroom achievement will influence their self-concept and self-esteem • Their success in the classroom will determine how they succeed in their lives

Formula for Success • Establishment of consistency, classroom management procedures, and rules and expectations the first week of school + Modeling of dress, actions, behaviors, and appearance, and relationships + Positive expectations = • PARAMOUNT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Works Cited • Carlson, R. (2003). The don’t sweat guide for teachers: Cutting through the clutter so that every day counts (1 st). New York. Hyperion • Wong, H. K. , & Wong, R. T (2009). The first days of school: How to be an effective teacher. Mountain View, CA. Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.