Things that Make a Teacher Ineffective

Some teachers are highly effective and well-liked while some are not. What makes the difference between a teacher that is liked and respected and one who is disliked by her students? The following is a list of things that can make a teacher ineffective and unpopular.

Inconsistence

A teacher who is inconsistent can cause chaos in the classroom. Her students don’t know what to expect on any given day, and the rules are always changing. This can may the teacher ineffective and unpopular with her students.  A wise teacher knows to have a consistent routine that her students can follow. This gives the students a sense of security because they know what to expect.

Shows favoritism

It is imperative that a teacher never play favorites. She should never give one student more attention than the rest. And, she should never give one student special treatment. The other students will immediately notice this behavior and resent her because of it. To prevent showing one student preference over another, a teacher should make rules that apply to all of her students. And, she should treat each student the same.

Lack of flexibility

Teachers who are too rigid quickly become unpopular with students. An effective teacher knows that the world and her classroom are always changing. She knows this, and she is willing to change. She knows that some days will not go the way that she has planned. A teacher who is effective and respected is open to new ideas and techniques. 

Lack of empathy

Compassion is an important trait for a teacher. It shows her students that she is concerned about them and the things that matter to them. A teacher who lacks empathy will be viewed as cruel and uncaring. This will make her unpopular with her students.

Negative attitude

The words that a teacher speaks can affect a student’s life years after they have left that teacher’s classroom. If a teacher has a negative attitude about learning, her subject area, or her students, it can influence how her students view the subject area and how they behave in her classroom. An effective teacher realizes that her actions and expectations are an important component in her students’ achievements. So, even if she does not like a subject or one of her students, she does not display these feelings.

Lack of planning

A teacher who is unprepared and disorganized can quickly become unpopular with her students. A lack of planning can lead to bored, disruptive students. A wise teacher knows to be prepared. She prepares lessons for all of her students. She has designed her lessons to actively involve all of her students. And, she plans for the whole class period.

Lack of confidence

A teacher who lacks the confidence to make eye contact with her students or to speak in a clear, concise voice may also be disliked by her students. Because of her lack of enthusiasm for her subject matter, her students may find her difficult to understand and dull.

Teachers who are disliked and unpopular tend to have several things in common. They are not consistent, lack empathy, play favorites, and have negative attitudes.

 

http://voices.yahoo.com/tips-being-successful-teacher-11906762.html

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/playing-favorites

http://www.ehow.com/info_8759542_negative-teacher-behavior-student-behavior.html

http://voices.yahoo.com/5-traits-effective-teacher-12083126.html

 

Ways Teachers Can Set Good Examples for Students

Setting Good Examples for Students

Teachers hold the future in their hands.  Aside from parents, no one else has a greater influence on children.  It is because of this influence that teachers should set good examples for their students by doing the following:

Demonstrate positive decision-making skills:

Each day brings with it new challenges and new opportunities to show students the importance of making good decisions. A teacher can demonstrate the thinking process for the students by going through a process called thinking out loud. Thinking out loud is when the teacher encounters a problem and verbally works through that problem. This will allow the students to know what the choice is and how the teacher comes to a decision.  Students get to follow the thinking reasoning process from start to finish. 

Admit mistakes and apologize

Everyone makes mistakes.  The key is to admit the mistake and apologize.  Because little eyes are watching, it is imperative that the teacher demonstrate good citizenship by apologizing as soon as the mistake is identified.  This shows students the importance of taking responsibility for ones mistakes.  By apologizing in front of the students, the teacher is repairing the mistake and setting a good example for students to follow.

Demonstrate Fairness

Fairness is extremely important.  Students can quickly pick up on favoritism, and it should never be a part of the classroom.  By giving all students the same opportunities, the teacher is demonstrating fairness. 

Be Flexible

The world is in a constant state of change.  Nothing stays the same.  When things do not work out as planned, the teacher can point this out to the students and then demonstrate a positive attitude while handling the change. 

Show Respect

One of the most important lessons that a teacher can teach is respectfulness. It is important students learn how to treat people. It does not matter if the other person is another teacher, an administrator, a parent, or simple a student.  They deserve respect.

Teachers influence students in many different ways. By demonstrating good decision making skills, recognizing mistakes and apologizing for them, and being fair and flexible a teacher can provide good examples for students.

Creative Ideas for Teaching Fairytales in High School

Fairytales are for children, right? Yes, small children do enjoy fairytales. Parents and teachers can use them to teach young children about friendship, values, and morals. However, it doesn’t have to stop there. Fairytales can be used with older children. In fact, high school English teachers can use fairytales in their classrooms. The following are great ways to turn fairytales into learning instruments.

Identify story elements

A secondary English teacher can use fairytales in order to teach their students to identify story elements.  I like to have my students do this using a graph organizer. With the graphic organizer, I have them list the different story elements from the fairytale.

Complete plot lines

High school students can find it difficult to identify the climax of many stories or novels. It order to help make this easier, I like to have my students practice identifying the plot sequence using fairytales and plot lines. Once the students have read the fairytale, I have them write a brief summary of the fairytale. The students can then take that summary and identify the different parts of the plot and place them on the plot line.

Creative writing

Fairytales are fun and comforting. Most high school students will have heard the fairytales before and be familiar with them. Many fairytales have several different versions. I use fairytales to help their students think creatively. The students can take those old, familiar fairytales and changing them around or creating alternative endings.

Vocabulary

Fairytales can even be used to teach students vocabulary. How?  Have the students replace some of the simple words in the fairytale with more complex words. This forces the student to locate and correctly use synonyms.

Comparison and contrast

Students can be taught comparison and contrast using fairytales. I assign my students to take two different fairytales or two different fairytale authors and compare and contrast them. The students can do this in an informative essay or on a graphic organizer.  

Journal writing

Everything can be turned into a writing project, and fairytales definitely can. Have the students to reflect on the fairytale and how it relates to real-life events in the news or in their own lives. The students can also discuss any lessons or morals that they have learned from the fairytales.

Problem solving

Fairytales can also be used to teach problem-solving. I can assign their students a fairytale, have them identify the problem or conflict in the story, and then brainstorm alternative ways to resolve the conflict in the story.

Yes, high school English teachers can use fairytales in their classroom. They can use them to teach their students creative writing, problem solving, story elements, and vocabulary skills.

Other Articles to Read: 

Using Fairytales to Teach Argumentative Writing

https://2cuteclassroom.blogspot.com/2025/02/using-fairytales-to-teach-argumentative.html

My Teachers Pay Teachers products: 

https://2cuteclassroom.com/how-to-incorporate-fairytales-in-your-lessons/

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Comma-Usage-Introductory-Words-Fairytale-Themed-Task-Cards-2457325

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fairytale-Themed-Plot-Line-Game-2894297

"Where the Wild Things Are": Educational Activities

 

Maurice Sendak’s book, Where the Wild Things Are can be used to teach many different skills and fun activities that can be stretched across the curriculum.  The following are some exciting activities using Where the Wild Things Are that can be altered to fit different age groups while still being educational.

Character Education:  “Why Be a Wild Thing?”

The story is a great way to introduce a discussion on emotions and how to handle them. After reading the book, ask students if they know what emotions are.  Allow time for students to answer.  Then, explain that emotions are feeling.  Once you have explain what emotions are, ask students if they have ever been angry like Max and if they have, how did they handle that anger.  You can have them look at the consequences of Max’s behavior-being sent to his room without supper.  Then brainstorm with them things that they could do differently.

Social Studies:  “Where are the Wild Things?”

Have students design their own world map or globe. The model must include the 5 oceans (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic) and at least two continents that actually exist. Then, allow them to create their own “Land of the Wild Things” on their map. Older students can make their model 3-D. 

Science: “And a Forest Grew”

Have your students grow their own forest.  Students can do something as simple as plant seeds in paper cups and watch them grow.  If you want to do something on a larger scale, you can plant a classroom garden in a designated spot outside.

Art: “Create a Wild Thing”

Students can draw and paint pictures of what they think a wild thing is.  They can also use pictures from the internet or various magazines to create their own “wild thing”.

Language Art:  “Wild Review”

Once the students have read “Where the Wild Things Are”, have them practice their writing skills by either doing a book review.  Have students include the story elements such as plot, setting, and theme.  They can rate the book on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being not interesting at all and 5 being very interesting.

“Wild about Books”

Students can also write their own children’s story.  The book can be about wild animals or how to deal with different emotions. Their story should also include fun illustrations.

Music:  “Wild Rumpus”

Students can make their own rumpus.  Let them use different musical instruments to make some fun “wild rumpus” of their own during playtime or music class.

Where the Wild Things Are is an unforgettable children’s book.  It can be used to teach students about anger management, geography, plant growth, and how to write book reviews.

http://voices.yahoo.com/where-wild-things-geography-lesson-281969.html

http://voices.yahoo.com/tutoring-lesson-plan-book-where-wild-things473279.html

 

Things to Include in a School Magazine

 

Writing for a school magazine can be fun and exciting. It is an excellent way to cultivate pride in your school and to make sure the masses stay informed. But, how you figure out what to include in your school magazine? What are today’s students interested in? If you find yourself asking these questions, consider some of these great article ideas for your school magazine.

*Health issues

Health articles are wonderful additions to any school magazine. Students are often curious about diseases and other health issues, and a school magazine is just the place for these articles. The health articles should be informative, but the terminology used in the articles should be easy to understand. It won’t do your students any good to read an article they can’t understand. You can choose your health article by month. For example, February is heart healthy month and November is Diabetes Awareness month.

*Healthy food choices

Students from high school to graduate school are often in a rush. As a result, they tend to make poor food choices. A school magazine can include ways that busy students can get both a quick meal and the nutrition that they need.

*Fashion

Have you ever found yourself wondering what you were going to wear or what your favorite celebrity was wearing? Well, so have the students who will be reading the school’s magazine. Articles on fashion are sure to interest both male and female students even if they are stuck in school uniforms.

*Tips for communicating with parents

Teenagers often find themselves struggling to communicate with their parents. As they begin to assert their independence, family relationships can become strained, and they may even find talking to their parents intimidating. So, be sure to include articles on how to bridge the communication gap between students and their parents in your school magazine.

*Relationship tips

Teens and young adults are always interested in dating tips. These can include everything from the best places for a date in your area to dating safety to how to handle sexual pressure while on a date.

*Book spotlights

Trying to encourage students to read can be frustrating. So, use every opportunity you can to promote reading. The school magazine is a great place to spotlight books.  Be sure to include a brief summary of the book, and the books pros and cons.

*Money saving tips

It is never too early to start learning how to save money. A school magazine should include money saving tips for students. This can be something as simple as how to plan a mini-budget or how to save on entertainment.

*Creative writing from students

A school magazine is a great place to display student work. These simple pieces will draw a lot of attention from fellow students. They will also be treasured by the student authors and their families. Just be sure to carefully read and edit these creative pieces before publishing them.

Don’t be confused about what to include in your school magazine. Choose topics that will interest your students and be educational at the same time.

Ways to Be More Productive Teacher without Losing Your Mind

Teaching is a demanding job. It is almost impossible to keep up with all the paper work, be a successful teacher, and still have a family life. So, what can you do get it all done in a day and still have time for your family and yourself? Here are some things that you can do to increase your productivity at work.

Get a Good Start

Breakfast is the first meal of the day. Eating breakfast will help to provide you with the fuel you need to make it through a hectic day at school. It is difficult to deal with a room full of bouncy children when you are hungry. Even when I don’t have time for a full meal, I try to grab a quick piece of toast and some type of protein before rushing out of the door.

Get Focused

As teachers, we know how important it is to stay focused. So, I would suggest that you meditate, exercise, read, or enjoy a simple cup of coffee. Do whatever it takes to get your mind focused and ready for the school day.

Do One Thing at a Time

I love to try to multi-task; however, when do more than one thing at a time, I end up making a mess. Contrary to what your bossy may tell you, multi-tasking is really not a good idea. Instead of trying to focus on three or four things at a time, only focus on one. Complete that task. Then, move on to the next task.

Prioritize

Decide what needs immediate attention and do it first. Like most people, I have more energy in the morning. So, it makes more sense to do the most demanding tasks first and save the easier tasks for after lunch when your energy starts to wane.

Have a Routine

Have a set routine. You should have set days for giving test and quizzes, and you should have set days to teach each of your state objectives. This will help to save you time and allow you to be more productive. It will also provide stability for your students

Plan Effectively

One of the keys to being a more productive teacher is planning. Plan your lessons early. I know this can be difficult to plan days before you finish the lesson you are currently on. However, this ensures that you don’t get behind on all those tons of paperwork. Remember, these are only plans. Nothing is set in concrete. You can always go back and remediate students who didn’t get it. And, you can always go back and make changes to your lesson plans.

Organize

Okay, I have to admit that I am not the most organized person in the world. My desk is often cluttered, and I tend to collect and keep tons of student work. However, one of the best ways to be more productive as a teacher is to be more organized. I have found that my day runs a lot better when my desk is clean and my files in place. And, I get a lot more work done. Trust me. I know you are busy, but take the time to get organized. It will pay off in the long run.

It is possible to be a more productive teacher. Have a set routine. Plan effectively. Get organized and stop trying to do it all at one time.

 

http://voices.yahoo.com/teacher-survival-effective-teacher-without-11979272.html
http://lifelearningtoday.com/2007/08/23/25-tips-to-become-more-productive-and-happy-at-work/

Gift Ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. As a teacher, I can tell you that every single thing that you give us will be appreciated. Even something as simple as a handwritten note that tells us “Thank You” can mean a lot. Here are some quick suggestions for teacher happies: board markers, copy paper, key rings, pencils, flowers, plagues, brief cases, angles, gift cards, etc. For other gift-giving ideas, check out my article:

http://www.celebrations360.com/index.php/present-ideas-for-teachers-2-1820/