http://www.donfirke.com/2009/08/elements-of-a-successful-class/ from the desk of an independent school head Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:06:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://www.donfirke.com/2009/08/elements-of-a-successful-class/comment-page-1/#comment-59 Jennifer (Jacobs) Pueschner Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:06:31 +0000 http://www.donfirke.com/?p=244#comment-59 Passion! There is no substitute for passion. Students are lured in by the energy of teachers who love what they do. It exudes from every ounce of their being. Decades after class is through - those remembered are the teachers who reached into our minds and our hearts and enveloped us in their love of the subject matter. Passion! There is no substitute for passion. Students are lured in by the energy of teachers who love what they do. It exudes from every ounce of their being. Decades after class is through – those remembered are the teachers who reached into our minds and our hearts and enveloped us in their love of the subject matter.

]]> http://www.donfirke.com/2009/08/elements-of-a-successful-class/comment-page-1/#comment-58 deb Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:17:07 +0000 http://www.donfirke.com/?p=244#comment-58 The best teachers, like the best coaches, have the ability to make every student feel like a valued member of the class. The teacher gets to know the strengths and interests of each student and uses a variety of techniques to engage all students in a meaningful way. These classrooms are communities, and by feeling valued, each student feels a commitment to the success of the class, as well as a sense of responsibility for one's work and contributions. These are my favorite classes to visit and observe in action! The best teachers, like the best coaches, have the ability to make every student feel like a valued member of the class. The teacher gets to know the strengths and interests of each student and uses a variety of techniques to engage all students in a meaningful way. These classrooms are communities, and by feeling valued, each student feels a commitment to the success of the class, as well as a sense of responsibility for one’s work and contributions. These are my favorite classes to visit and observe in action!

]]> http://www.donfirke.com/2009/08/elements-of-a-successful-class/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Matthew Bardoe Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:35:30 +0000 http://www.donfirke.com/?p=244#comment-57 8. Move around. It is a great way to keep students involved in class. Don't get stuck in front too much. Sit down with them whenever possible. It shows them you are really involved in what is going on, and models the behavior you want them to use. 8. Move around. It is a great way to keep students involved in class. Don’t get stuck in front too much. Sit down with them whenever possible. It shows them you are really involved in what is going on, and models the behavior you want them to use.

]]>