New Teacher Support Archives - Page 9 of 15 - Inspired Together Teachers

What Does A Successful Teacher Look Like?

April 12, 2019 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

Do you consider yourself a successful teacher? There are many different teacher evaluation systems and districts use many tools to evaluate teachers. The media and the public also have opinions about what it means to be a successful teacher. Everyone has been to school, and as a result, everyone has an opinion of what good teaching looks like.

We know that many teacher assessment tools don’t get at all the things that make a teacher successful. Some things are more easily measured than others. We can look at your students’ scores on standardized tests easily. It is much more difficult to assess whether you are kind and build an atmosphere of mutual respect in your classroom. Both are important.

What does a successful teacher look like? Consider the following:

A successful teacher builds connections with students.

The teachers we remember most fondly are the ones that knew us well. We felt respected and we knew the teacher cared about us. Students will work hard for you if they know you care. Good teachers know a lot about the students they teach. They listen and talk to them.

Successful teachers know about their students’ lives inside and outside of school. They understand their learning strengths and challenges. Knowing students well means that they can choose the best instruction for them.

A successful teacher knows many teaching strategies and techniques.

Teaching strategies are important. Good teachers know how to choose different strategies for different purposes. They have a toolkit of techniques to help them work effectively. Every class is different and good teachers know how and when to adapt as they teach. Successful teachers also have techniques for organization, and for structured routines and transitions.

A successful teacher has high standards.

The best teachers hold high standards for student behavior and for student learning. They are clear about their expectations and hold students accountable. Good teachers know that they have to teach and model so that students know both what is expected of them and how to do what they need to do to meet those expectations. They don’t just have high standards, thy support students in their personal growth and achievement.

A successful teacher is proactive with parents.

Good teachers keep parents informed about what is happening in the classroom, whether through classroom newsletters or their on-line portals. They make contact with parents and establish a relationship before there is a problem. When there is a problem, they keep parents in the loop and work with them to find solutions.

A successful teacher supports colleagues.

Being a supportive colleague means that you do your part. You are helpful when you can help someone. You come to meetings prepared. You follow through on tasks. You take care of duties and turn in your attendance, grades and other requirements on time. If you take care of business, you will have earned the trust of the people you work with and they know they can count on you. Being valued as a colleague is a sign of success.

A successful teacher knows when to ask for help.

Rather than being a sign of weakness, asking for help is a sign that you are responsible enough to know that you don’t know everything and that you are willing to learn. No teacher has ever completely mastered everything. Asking for help shows a growth mindset, and life-long learning is a trait that successful teachers share.

A successful teacher is involved in their school community.

Good teachers are invested in their school communities. They show up at events. They volunteer for committees in the school and at the district level. They get to know the community around the school by patronizing local shops and restaurants. For example, a teacher we worked with did not live in the town where he taught. He made an effort to service his car at a shop near the school. “They fund my paycheck,” he said, “why would I not want to support them?” People notice when you are committed to your school and the community.

What would you add to our list? What makes you feel success as a teacher? As always, we would love to hear your ideas.

Our best,

Would you like a principal’s take on this? Check out How to Impress Your Principal During Your First Year of Teaching

Effective Teacher Language: Have to or Get To?

March 29, 2019 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

Using effective teacher language can change the way students respond to you and may increase their motivation. The words we choose convey a message to our listener that can negatively or positively impact how students will perceive a task.

Consider the simple words “have to” and “get to.”

By replacing “have to…” with “get to…” in your daily language, you can send a subtle but very different tone and message to your listener. With this word substitution, you can easily change a negative connotation into a positive statement.

Here are some examples of how you can dramatically alter the tone of your conversations with students by substituting the word get for the word have:

“You have to read this book.”

This phrase sends the message that it is an unpleasant obligation to read the book. We don’t generally like to be told we have to do something.

“You get to read this book. ”

This phrase implies that implies that reading this book is a privilege or honor. The book sounds much more interesting if it is something we get to read.

“You have to work together.”

When you hear this, you instantly think that there are downfalls when working in a group. It is not going to be a fun or pleasant experience.

“You get to work together.”

When we get to work together, we are being given a privilege, something we will want to do and choose to do. Most students enjoy working with others, so why not choose words that make it sound positive?

“We have to work through this content.”

When you use this phrase, it sounds like even you don’t like this content and are doing it begrudgingly.

“We get to work through this content.”

This sounds much less brutal and implies that the content is something worthwhile.

“You have to show your work.”

When you tell students that they have to show their work, they hear that this is another unpleasant task. It is just one more thing they have to do. Expect student groans.

“You get to show their work.”

If you get to show your work, there is something positive in it for you. Perhaps you get some points for an incorrect answer if you have correctly done some of the steps. Perhaps the teacher will be better able to understand what you are thinking and give you better feedback. This phrase gives the impression that students have the opportunity to let the teacher understand what they are thinking.

You can also use this word substitution to correct students when they speak. When a student states that they “have to” do a task, you can reply that “Yes, you get to do the task.”

If this still seems like only a silly word change, try this one out for yourself:

“I have to go to work tomorrow” versus “I get to go to work tomorrow.”

Which one is more positive? When you have to go to work, you dread it. When you get to go to work, you are reminded that you were chosen for your job over others who did not get the job. You have students who need you and an administrator that trusted their care to your capable hands. You are fortunate to have a job where you can use your skills in an impactful way. Not everyone is that fortunate.

Effective teacher language is often just a matter of paying attention to the words you choose. Once you are aware of the power of this language substitution you will catch yourself and others when they say they “have to” do something versus when they “get to” do something. You will be amazed by how quickly this transforms the conversations you have with learners and with other adults.

You don’t “have to” try this out, but we certainly hope you “get to.”

Our best,

Get our free list of 15 phrases that will help you improve classroom management!

20 Things You Can Do Today to Be a More Effective Teacher

February 8, 2019 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

Sometimes, effective teaching is hard work and takes a lot of time and preparation. On the other hand, there are simple things you can do, often in five minutes or less that will increase your effectiveness, make teaching easier or enhance the environment of your classroom or school.

Here, in no particular order, are twenty things you can do to be a more effective teacher:

1. Have students write the best thing they have learned in class so far on an index card. Read some out loud and then post them on a bulletin board.

2. Sharpen all the pencils in your pencil cup. Throw away the dead pens.

3. Write a thank you note to someone who often helps you.

4. Tell a student you appreciate them.

5. Do something silly- wear a funny hat, or include a funny cartoon on a test.

6. Make a positive phone call to a parent.

7. Organize the top of your file cabinet, or one messy shelf.

8. Put a new plant in your classroom.

9. Invite students to bring their lunch and join you in your room just to share a fun article, book or video.

10. Rearrange student desks.

11. Start the day by writing your “why” on the board. This could be an objective, or outcome. Explain the purpose of the lesson or how it will help students.

12. Secretly do something nice for another teacher. Leave a little gift on their desk or bring them a coffee.

13. Play a song by a popular artist and find a way to connect it to your lesson.

14. Invite a guest reader or content expert in to your class.

15. Thank students, as a group, for excellence such as staying engaged and working hard on a task, doing well on an assignment or test, or treating each other well.

16. Engage students in different levels of questioning by applying the 1, 2, 3 rule. Ask one low level, recall question. Ask one question where students must apply the information. Ask one question where students must analyze or synthesize information.

17. Throw a koosh ball to call on students during a discussion.

18. Have students get into small groups and write a rap with words that reviews a lesson or unit.

19. Set a timer for five minutes. Have everyone clean and organize something in the classroom. Or, set a timer for five minutes. Clean off the top of your desk, or a junk drawer.

20. Play a quick game of 20 Questions. Use a word or subject from your content and let students ask yes or no questions. Keep a tally on the board. Let the winner pick a new word.

There are our 20 quick activities you can do to be a more effective teacher, make teaching easier or enhance the environment of your classroom or school.

What would you add to our list? We would love to hear your ideas!

Our best,

Get our free guide 6 Phrases to Improve Classroom Management

The Best of TYT: 8 Simple Ways to Create A Joyful Classroom

October 26, 2018 by Inspired Together Teachers 4 Comments

8 Simple Ways to Create a Joyful Classroom

Is your classroom a joyful place? Recent challenges have left some teachers anxious and stressed, losing their zest for teaching.

We understand that frustrations are real. Teachers have never been expected to do more with less. Curriculum demands much of children and leaves little time for spontaneity, fun and exploration. Mandates about what and how to teach have replaced teacher created curriculum based on student needs and interests.

Despite the many misguided reforms, high stakes tests and district priorities, we have to make time for joy in education. There are many good reasons to create a more joyful classroom.

Joy helps students love learning. If students love learning, they will be engaged, reducing the need for complex behavior management systems. Joy encourages creativity, which opens the door for creative problem solving. Joy encourages curiosity and self-motivated learning. It is only when students experience love of learning that they will become life-long learners.

Though much of your day may be filled with required curriculum and prescribed methods, there are many things you can do to make sure that students experience joy.

Here are 8 simple, actionable things you can do to make a more joyful classroom.

Smile

We learn better from those we like. Smiling makes you approachable and likable. Smiling is contagious, and the act of smiling can actually help you to feel happier.

Laugh

Laughing reduces stress. Look for opportunities to inject humor into the day’s activities. Offer to tell a joke if students line up quickly and quietly. Get a joke book if you need one. Telling a joke takes less than 30 seconds and adds fun. We all remember a teacher who told corny jokes. Notice that we remember that teacher.

Add Music

Music helps with retention. There are songs that fit into all areas of your curriculum. Check out You Tube for songs about multiplication or grammar from School House Rock. Better yet, let students work in groups to write and perform their own songs based on their topic of study. One sixth grade class wrote songs about world explorers set to the Sponge Bob theme song. A high school biology class wrote and sang a fact filled song about mitosis set to Queen’s We are The Champions.

Read Funny Literature

If you read aloud each day (and you should!) choose funny stories. When children have positive experiences with books they learn that reading is fun. If reading is fun, they will be more likely to do more of it. The more you read, the better you read.

Use Fun Reinforcers

You can quickly teach students to give themselves a “round of applause” by clapping while they rotate their hands in a circle. Another way is to stretch your hand up high and then reach back and “pat yourself on the back.” These are quick and simple movements that can add joy and a sense of satisfaction.

Use Fun Call/Response Attention Getters

Teacher: “One, two three” Students: “Eyes on me!”

Teacher ” Hey, ho” Students: “To work we go”

Teacher: “Ready set?” Students: “You bet!”

These simple commands are more fun and more effective than repeatedly asking students to pay attention.

Have a Goofy Class Mascot

One teacher has a skeleton who holds a sign with the objectives of the day’s lesson. He is also known to wear a holiday appropriate hat, a Valentine’s Day tie or a cape on Halloween. We have seen a stuffed orangutan who wrote notes and left them around the room- reminding children to pick up or take home permissions slips. Some mascots go home with a different child each night and encourage children to write a story about their adventures to add to a class book.

Give Students Choices

Students can’t always choose what they will do, but look for opportunities to give students a choice. When students choose, their engagement and satisfaction are higher. Can they choose their partners? Their seats? Can they choose a topic for their research report or the book they will read? Think of the content, the learning process, and products to show learning. Can you give students a choice in one of those three areas?

Joyful classrooms are less stressful, less anxious places. Neurological studies have shown that students’ comfort levels can influence long-term information storage and transmission. Teachers and students face many challenges in today’s educational climate. Living without joy does not have to be one of them.

Wishing you joy today,

Get Organized with These Free Organization Templates

September 21, 2018 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

Teachers often tell us they struggle with organization. We know you have many things to do and a limited amount of prep time. Today we are sharing 4 printable organization templates that will help you get and stay organized.

Every teacher communicates with parents. It can be difficult to keep track of the phone calls or notes that you receive. In addition to keeping a folder of communication paperwork, we suggest that you use a simple parent communication log to keep track of the phone calls or other communications from parents. You will need to remember changes in pick-up schedules or notes about vacations, medical appointments and other information about your students. We have a simple template to help you stay on top of important student information.

Download the printable Parent Communication Log template here.

If you work as part of a teaching team, you likely have regular team meetings. Team meetings are a source of many important discussion items and often leave you with many items that require a follow-up. We created a simple template that will help you organize and keep track of information from your team meetings. Create a folder, download copies of our template and be prepared and organized for team meetings.

Download the Team Meeting Notes template here.

Cold and flu season will be here before you know it, and at some point you are going to need a substitute teacher. We have detailed information about preparing a substitute teacher folder here. Make communication easier by using a template for communicating with your sub.

Download the printable template A Note from the Sub here.

There is a good chance that you have papers piling up on your desk. You need a way to keep them grouped and organized. We have a set of labels you can print out and attach to your piles of paper. You’ll be able to quickly grab the papers you need when you need them.

Download the Labels for Desk Papers printable here.

We hope these simple organization templates will help you to become more organized. Drop us a note and let us know if you have used them and if you found them helpful!

Our best,

« Previous Page
1
…
7
8
9
10
11
…
15
Next Page »

What does a successful teacher look like? Consider the following:

A successful teacher builds connections with students.

A successful teacher knows many teaching strategies and techniques.

A successful teacher has high standards.

A successful teacher is proactive with parents.

A successful teacher supports colleagues.

A successful teacher knows when to ask for help.

A successful teacher is involved in their school community.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

8 Simple Ways to Create a Joyful Classroom

Share this:

Share this:

Connect with us on Social Media!