This week as I unpacked NCTCS 2b and 2c, using Olivia's blog, I decided to check out some of her resources. I found a link that I really enjoyed entitled "10 Ways Teachers Can Communicate Expectations to Students."
The 10 ways the article suggests to show/communicate your expectations are:
1. Post your expectations around the room for kids to see
2. Have students sign an "Achievement Contract"
3. Allow students space to learn on their own
4. Create a written dialogue with students
5. Have a positive attitude toward student achievement
6. Get to know your students
7. Remain in charge as you teach
8. Be clear about objectives for assignments and tests
9. Cheer your students on
10. Promote mastery learning through revisions
While these all relate to high expectations (NCTCS 2c), I found that they also relate to several other standards. They also include a lot of ideas that I want to incorporate into my future classroom.
If we want students to know what we expect, we need to post it somewhere that they are sure to see and be reminded. The achievement contract lets students know what you expect. Requiring them to sign this contract is a way to ensure that students know what you expect and when they do not meet or follow your expectations, you have a way to prove that they were aware and that they have now broken your contract. The article also suggests having parents sign the contract as well so that they are informed and know what you are expecting of their child.
Allowing students space to learn on their own, pushes teachers toward facilitating learning (NCTCS 4). This encourages teachers to pull back as the school year progresses and allow students more responsibility in their own learning. In order for students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills (NCTCS 4e), we have to remember that we cannot jump in and immediately help the struggling student by providing them answers. Instead we should guide them in finding the answers themselves so that they realize we expect them to become independent, problem-solving, critical-thinkers.
To me having a positive attitude toward student achievement, remaining in charge as you teach, cheering your students on, and getting to know your students are all ways that a teacher can lead in the classroom (NCTCS 1a). These qualities show your students that you care about them and their learning, but they also are key in establishing a safe, orderly learning environment. When students know that you want them to succeed and that you are cheering them on they feel comfortable in your classroom and with you as their teacher. Students who feel safe and comfortable in the classroom are more likely to be successful. When we take the time to get to know our students and let them see us as a real person we make connections that also make them feel safe in our classroom. Remaining in charge as we teach and having classroom rules keeps the safe classroom running orderly and smoothly.
Soo... Thank you Olivia for sharing with us about NCTCS 2b and 2c. Thanks for the resources you shared that allowed me to make connections to the big picture!
I included the link (below) to the article Olivia shared on her resource page.
http://712educators.about.com/od/motivation/tp/10-Ways-Teachers-Can-Communicate-Expectations-To-Students.htm
Leslea,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you got something out of my presentation of material! I agree that all ten of those ways to communicate have a direct correlation to being an intentional teacher, which should be #1 over all else. With intentionality, we can turn a behavior issue into a work of art, and a student with low motivation into a star student. 2B and 2C are so important because they tell us what lens we should use to look at our students with before, during, and after instruction. Thanks for sharing!
It definitely is an excellent article! I especially like when it says to post your expectations around the room. This serves as a constant reminder to the students of what they are to be doing. I also think that it helps the students stay on track with what they are to do. Another part of the article that I enjoyed is cheering on your students. That is so very important for the students. They need to see and understand that you are on their team.
ReplyDeleteLeslea,
ReplyDeleteI love what you wrote! I love the idea of communicating expectations through building relationships with our students. When we get to know our students, and they get to know us, a trust relationship is built, and they will begin to feel safe and "at home" in our classrooms. I also love the point about "remain[ing] in charge as you teach." When our students know that we are in charge, that we care about their learning, and that we love them, they will be more likely to have a positive, proactive attitude toward school/learning. I love that you wrote, "Students who feel safe and comfortable in the classroom are more likely to be successful." I could not agree more! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences from this week!
-Meredith
Leslea,
ReplyDeleteThis is great information! I am glad you found and located this resource. Thanks for the share as this is a great way to teach the whole child.