Our students are usually in our class because they have to be. Most of us do not have the luxury of teaching a class that the students signed up for. In fact most of us are just another class or grade that each student is required to take in their path to graduation.
Therefore inherent interest in the content of your class is not common. Few students in my experience have been really excited to learn the material presented on the first day of class. They are not excited about History, Math, Science, or anything for that matter.
That is a general statement, there sre some students who are interested in physics because they have had experiences that deal with the material, or some students are interested in history because they know something about it or saw a documentary.
Any student can be interested in any class for nearly any reason. However, in general the majority of your class will not be interested in your class for the content or curriculum.
You may know a lot about the subject your speaking on but that does not qualify you to be a teacher. It takes more than that!!! To be a successful teacher you have to develop relationships with students.
They will not care about you or what your teaching if they do not think you care about them, or what you are teaching. Teachers have a difficult task, yes they have to care about there lessons but teachers should care even more about their students.
That is why it is so important to TEACH YOUR CLASS.
When we teach our class we are making personal connections to the students to generate interest in topics that do not inherently interest them. Time after time we see examples teachers getting so involved in their lessons that they are losing their classes.
You know you are teaching your class when:
You know you are teaching your class when:
- You make more eye contact with students than you look at your board.
- You ask questions to students and call them by name
- You move around the room watching the students
- You allow time for questions before during and in the end of your lessons
- You have to be flexible so your students can ask questions
- But, you have to stay on topic so you can get through you lesson (it is a balancing act)
Suggestions to help you teach your class:
- Learn their names- This is not always a given among secondary educators. There is no easier way to make a personal connection than to learn names. (it is there personal name)
- *Learn Their Interest- Knowing their interests can help you plan a lesson and it can also help you reach them in the hallway.
- *In this case you may need to listen conversations about things that do not matter at all to you, but if you are willing to endure you will make an impact on that student, they will know you care.
- Do not associate everything to the classroom- There is nothing wrong with having little plugs for your class or school or just education in general, but if you associate everything with that then you will not hold interest. Your students will believe that you only care about your class/school/education and disregard everything you say. They will think "Ahh,... he doesn't care about us just his class
- In conclusion it is okay to have some conversation about things other than school.
- Teach What They Like- If you are an enthusiasts about your subject, that is great. Enthusiasts know a lot of material. Ask what your students are interested in and develop your lesson plans around those interests.
The most important thing to remember is that the students are ultimately the most important thing in your class. Not the grades, not the desk arrangement, and not the lesson!
