“Knowing students means seeing them as whole people. We need to know not just how they do on tests and assignments but where they are developmentally. We also need to know something about each student’s home culture, their dreams and concerns, and their unique personalities—and we need to understand how these elements intersect with the broad developmental stages that all children and adolescents experience.”
Suddenly, it seems like the class is falling apart. Classroom routines that were going smoothly just a few weeks ago now seem rough around the edges. More and more children are forgetting to follow classroom rules. The noise level is higher, and academic productivity seems lower. What's going on?
With increasing demands to meet rigorous curriculum standards and improve the quality of instruction, efficient, productive professional development (PD) and staff meetings are more critical than ever. Too often, though, these sessions fall short of being fully engaging and productive—and opportunities for professional growth are lost. The familiar lecture-style meeting can leave participants feeling disengaged and facilitators weary; a free-wheeling discussion often feels aimless and unsafe.
Q:"Specials" teachers often see each child for only one hour a week. What's one way that you and a special area teacher have worked together to help him/her get to know your students better?
Adolescent DevelopmentClassroom OrganizationDisciplineElementary SchoolFirst Weeks of SchoolMiddle SchoolMorning MeetingMorning MeetingMovement BreaksThe First Weeks of School