Just a reminder that we do have class on Tuesday, November 10th. And take a look at the RSS feeds I have included in the margin of the blog this week. These are news articles related to teaching and the profession. Please read any of the articles of interest to you.
I believe that the art of teaching is shown in the teacher's ability to have a positive rapport with students. According to Webster's Dictionary, the word rapport means "relation; connection, esp. harmonious or sympathetic relation: a teacher trying to establish close rapport with." Hopefully, your cooperating teacher has a good rapport with the students. Watch your cooperating teacher this week in order to answer the following questions:
What strategies does the teacher use to build and maintain rapport with students? How are opportunities for success provided for each student? Do the students have a positive connection with the teacher?
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From watching the teacher one-on-one during the observations, I noticed that the teacher always sits next to her student when she is helping him or her. With this being a small school I'm sure this is probably easier than in a much larger class setting, but I noticed that sitting next to the students when you help them and being on their level in height, for example crouching down or sitting next to, is helpful because it gives the child a sense of connection with the teacher, not necessarily just a "brief" relationship, but more personal.
ReplyDeleteWhen a child is having difficulty with anything, whether it was with work, lunch, etc...I noticed the students always felt comfortable with asking for help. They never hestitated to ask because I believe they felt a closeness and a personal connection with the teacher beyond just the student-teacher. They noticed that she cared about them in their learning and outside of learning. When they do their morning prayer, the teacher prays for each of the students, naming each name. I think these things help with the positive connection because each child feels as though they're important and thought about.
Ashley -
ReplyDeleteVery good observation about proximity. It is very important to actually get on the students' level. Sounds like you are in a wonderful classroom.
although i just got my placement just a little bit ago and have not been able to get in the classroom, i still know what teachers must do in order to be in sync with their students aka rapport. i had a teacher in high school who was very very good at this. it was like he was just another student walking through the halls with button up shrit, tie, and dress pants. he was very down to earth and could relate to how student felt if they were having problems outside of the classroom, or what have you. he was from the area that the high school is located which also gave him an advantage to getting on the students good side.
ReplyDeletefrom observing my teacher i have noticed that she also sits next to the students and help them one on one. She even explained to me that everyday when the students are working on their books that they have to create she sits and help a different student everyday with the writing part of the book because first graders seem to just want to illustrate everything and forget about the words. I have also noticed that my host teacher is very patient and when a student is misbehaving she bring them to the side and talk to the one on one about good behavior. the children loves their teacher when they do something good she hugs them all or give them a high five. My host teacher has a really good relationship with her students and they fully respect her for that.
ReplyDeleteIn high school, some teachers established close (and appropriate) relationships/positive connections with their students. They would leave their doors open for students to come talk to them about problems in school and questions they had about the classroom material. Students were unafraid/not intimadatedn to talk to these teachers because they trusted them and thought that they could relate to them. Students believed this because the teachers would share information about their lives (while still being professional), ask students about their weekends, school activities, etc., and they would come out and support the student music and athletic body by attending games, plays, and concerts. Since students could openly talk to these supporative teachers, they were able to get helpful advice which set them up for success.
ReplyDeleteFrom reading everyone else's posts, it seems that overall the key to having good rapport with students is one-on-one attention. Students, especially younger ones, need to feel that they are special and to know that they deserve to learn and have the help they need to succeed in school.
ReplyDeleteIn the class I am observing my teacher is very helpful to all the students. When she has a student behind in a certain subject or doesn't get what they are working on she automatically helps them one on one and gets them through their trouble spots.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little upset that Tuesday is going to be my last day of my practicum.I'm already going to have my 30 hrs done already :(
Alexis that is a great thing your teacher does to help students, although it would be great if she my teacher didthe same, every teacher has their own way of helping the kids in their class. Whether they try to explain it in their language or not.
ReplyDeleteThe teacher I am observing sits down next to them so they feel comfortable and so shes not hovering over them. She also compliments them and makes them feel great about themselves even if they are struggling with something.
ReplyDeleteThe teacher that i am observing will sit on the ground with the children so that she is at the same level as them. I think that this makes the children more comfortable and makes them feel that she is more of their friend and not at a "higher level" than them. She also compliments on all of the good things that the children do and will point out who is setting a good example so the children will follow their lead.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Liz. a lot of the teachers will use one on one with the children so that it is easier for the child. this helps them because all of the attention is focused on that one child.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that my teacher does very well is build and maintain a rapport with his students. He kids around with them, asks them about their lives, and generally ensures that they have a positive outlook and know that they can come to him. Usually the first few minutes of class time are spent this way—meanwhile he'll also be introducing the material, handing out notes/papers/ect, and letting the kids get settled. It's a good start to the clas in my opinion, though perhaps his methods wouldn't work with all personalities.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to what Liz said, it's important to remember to be professional, even when you are joking with the kids. Some lines shouldn't be crossed and the classroom door should always be open—especially if you're meeting alone with members of the opposite sex.
ReplyDeleteOne good thing my teacher does-that Liz mentioned-was attend the games/school events of his students. Doing so shows the kids that he cares and that they can talk to him about the events in their lives.
Well, My teacher does not have a very good rapport with the students. Many times I have heard the students saying that she yells at them and they don't like her. I feel as if she is so nice on some things that when she becomes frank with them the students get angry at her.
ReplyDeleteShe does try adn build a good rapport with them though. She brings in treats and celebrates birthdays for the students.
To be honest the kids run the class room most ofthe time so she hast to become almost rude when they stop listening to her.
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI think that when your teacher crouches down to their height it helps them see that she wants to help that inividual student.It is indeed easier when the class is smaller. I like that idea!
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteThose are great observations and I think those are characteristics in teachers that we should all strive to have. We need more teachers who interact with students the way your host teacher does.
My teacher seems to be very comfortable with her students and they love her. She smiles a lot and her enthusiasm drives their will. You tell by the way they look at her that she is a great role model for them. She is very involved with the extra curricular activies at the school and touches base with her students about their lives. Not a day went by that she did not ask how everyone was doing, and asked specific questions about events that she knew were important to them (whether it was a test, project, game, etc.). She is very good with the students and she respects them and what they need from her, and that has developed into a mutual resepct in the classroom. It's a very harmoneous environment.
ReplyDeletethe teacher that i am observing is also letting me sit in on other teachers classes when he doesnt have class. he said this is important becuase i will get to see the different types of teaching styles. every teacher that i have seen teaches in a different way. they all know different ways to get across to their students. i think i have learned more about teaching just by him having me go watch other teachers after wathing him
ReplyDeleteMy teacher and teachers in at my high school were sports coaches. They would build a great rapport through sports. They would compair something they were teaching to something that happened in sports. This way students are interested and they have something they can relate to.
ReplyDeleteDana,
ReplyDeleteI couldnt agree more. I believe if the teacher is happy and excited to be there then the students will feel the same way. All it takes is a smile to brighten up a day of a kid who is having a bad day.
The teacher I am observing is really great about showing she cares for her students. She remembers things they tell her, and asks them about their lives. Not nosily, but showing that she cares about them makes the environment in the classroom positive and friendly. The kids are all very friendly with each other and the teacher. I think that positive learning environment is important to students' success.
ReplyDeleteKayla, I think that working with students one-on-one is important, as long as it does not slow down the rest of the students.
ReplyDeleteI find that the teachers that I am observing have a great reppart with the students. I am watching classes that have Sped. Students in them while at the same time they have other students in them. I find the students joking with the teachers and asking them for help.
ReplyDeleteThe teachers will help the students when they ask and the students will ask for help. If for some reason they class is having a hard time understanding the one teacher the other one will try to come up with better examples or explain it a different way. I nice to see that the teachers try to use examples that the students can relate to be it music, movies, or another activity.
The teachers like to make things that are important to them important to the students. Such as having a snack day for a good score on a hard test, birthdays, or just because they feel like it. They make the learning environment fun and relaxed.
It sounds like everyone is seeing teachers that are there for the kids. That is good thing. Espically with the crazy society we live in now. I do agree having the teachers spend a little one-on-one time with the students is good. But as long as they do it with all the students.
ReplyDeletehaving a good rapport with students is one of the most important things a teacher can have. i have not done any observations yet but i know in high school i always found it easier to talk to a teacher if they knelt down or sat next to me when i had a question. it was more comfortable when they were on my level so it didnt seem intimidating while they were standing up.
ReplyDeletedana, i agree that it helps to have great enthusiam. it shows the students school can be a fun place. being involved with the school also shows your teacher really does care about the school and the students.
ReplyDeletemy teachers that i had great relationships with before class would always talk to us just ask us how our day was or how our weekend was it made us feel like he cared about our well being.
ReplyDeletelike lauren is saying, i think it good for a teacher to be friendly and compassionate towards his or her students, thus creating a bond between the two. by creating this bond, the student will have more respect for the particular teacher, as i can speak from experience
ReplyDeletewhile watching the teacher during my observations, I can definitely see that she is able to relate to her students. I see the the teacher jokes and kids with the children. She is also very kind, and listens to the students tell stories, even if they are not about the topic she is discussing. She does however keep the students on task by keeping them focused, but she assigns work that the students view as fun, and she shows a kindness not always shown by teachers in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteLauren, I had that kind of relationship with a few teachers as well. I believed that I was able to go in a talk to the teachers if I was having a problem or anything of that nature. it made being in school a lot more comfortable and enjoyable
ReplyDeleteYes i do stay positive when it comes to the teacher. She usually asks questions and when noone raises their hands she calls on someone different every time to get the class more involved.
ReplyDeleteI think that a teacher finds a good relationship with students by being open minded and if they are in a bad mood they dont take it out on the student. Also a good teacher to me doesnt shut a students idea down. If a teacher keeps an open mind then the student is most likely to come to the teacher if they need anything.
ReplyDelete