Teaching Tip (2) Details in class

To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower……

Sometimes, details are the essentials, and they can reflect more than the passing moment. 

What we do in class, a gesture, a word, a pause, or something else… are all subtle yet clear signs of who we are, as teachers

The following are some details that I find could be useful to note in our classroom teaching

In certain schools/classes:

It would be a good idea to ask if there will be any absences in the following week—this can lead to better preparation on the teachers' part

And if there are absences, it would be the teacher's duty to state his/her expectations beforehand. For example, let the students know where they can find the class notes/material and inform them that they are expected to follow along and ask questions if there are any points where they do not understand

2 ways to differentiate in class:

If some students have already finished the assigned problem/work while others are still on that problem, the teacher could add a (Quizizz) worksheet for those who would like to have more practice

Also, it would be great if the teacher could find a task that is “low floor & high ceiling”—while it is easy to understand, there are also more challenging parts in it that could stimulate students' creativity, critical thinking, and learning motivation

The teacher can stroll around the class more or stand at the back of the room during his/her instruction—this could lessons the power structure in the class & encourage peer responses

Know the students: 

As a new teacher, I find that the starting point is always with names. remembering students' names quickly allows you to show that you care about them and are genuinely making the effort to get to know them. I assume it is similar to the “thanks” vs “thank you” issue, because when you have just met once or twice, being able to know their names in your interactions definitely makes a difference.

And then it's the building of relationships, this could be done during casual conversations before or after class, it enables the teachers to know their students better and helps them in navigating the classroom dynamic.

One other factor to consider is the time of the year—Apparently, teachers need to be strict at the start of the new school year to set the rules & expectations for class, but as the year progressed, especially before the Christmas or Spring break, students might already be in the holiday spirit, and it would be better for the teacher to be understanding (as this gesture could build rapport with the students, and brings a larger chance that the students would also be more willing to collaborate with the teacher – maybe not immediately, but it would be effective with time)

When making announcements in class, be clear and specific. Also, write down the announcement—Some students might not have heard it. some might not be sure/forgot, some are better with more visual support

I will be updating this article as I progress myself, and please feel free to share more info with us in the comment section below~ Thank you!