| Chapter
Preview |
All
of our efforts to improve education come down
to the classroom. Whether or not lessons come
alive and students learn depends upon the
teacher's skill. |
| In
some fortunate classrooms, both the teacher
and the students look forward to getting to
school in the morning. This book describes
how to produce such classrooms. |
| Many
of the lessons in this book were learned in
the classrooms of gifted or "natural" teachers.
As a result, the procedures described are
practical and down to earth. |
| Natural
teachers do not work themselves to death.
Instead, they put the students to work. |
| Effective
Management saves you time and effort. As a
result, you have more time for learning and
enjoyment in the classroom, and more energy
after you get home. |
Chapter One
Learning from the
"Natural" Teachers
Succeeding In The Classroom
Focus On Teachers
This book is for teachers. I want teachers to enjoy teaching.
I know teachers who thrive in the classroom. They are energized
by teaching. I have heard them say,"I can't wait until school starts."
These teachers, however, are a distinct minority.
Most teachers are exhausted by the end of the day. Over a third
of teachers quit by the end of their second year. Many who stay
suffer from burn-out.
Most of the stress of teaching comes from getting students to do
things. Managing the behavior of young people is no easy job, as
any parent can tell you. Managing a whole room full of young people
is the subject of this book.
Focus On Students
This book is for the students. For students to learn, they must
enjoy learning. They must look forward to entering the classroom
in the morning.
Some teachers create just such classrooms. They make learning an
adventure. There is excitement in the air.
It is no mystery to the parents who these teachers are. They can
see how one teacher causes their child to love school while another
teacher causes the same child to complain and fall behind. Parents
know that the key to success in the classroom is the teacher.
Focus on Classrooms
All of our efforts to improve education come down to the classroom.
National policies and state mandates and district guidelines must
be translated into better teaching practices, or they are of no
use.
Whether or not lessons come alive and students learn depends upon
the teacher's skill. Whether or not the students are even on task
depends on the teacher's ability to manage the group.
This book is about classroom management. It is a description of
the skills that exceptional teachers use to make classrooms come
alive. |
