How does a good teacher start his class in the morning?
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In the morning, a good teacher starts their class with a blend of routine and enthusiasm to set a positive and productive tone for the day. Here's a breakdown of common and effective strategies: 1. Warm Welcome and Connection: * Greeting at the Door: Many excellent teachers stand at the classroom doRead more
In the morning, a good teacher starts their class with a blend of routine and enthusiasm to set a positive and productive tone for the day. Here’s a breakdown of common and effective strategies:
See less1. Warm Welcome and Connection:
* Greeting at the Door: Many excellent teachers stand at the classroom door as students enter, offering a friendly “Good morning,” a smile, and sometimes even a quick, positive comment to individual students. This establishes a welcoming atmosphere and acknowledges each student’s presence.
* Positive Opening Statement: Once students are settled, the teacher might start with a general positive greeting like, “Good morning, everyone! I hope you all had a restful night.” or “Welcome back! Ready for a great day of learning?”
* Checking In (Briefly): Depending on the age group and classroom culture, a very quick check-in question can be effective, such as “Any exciting news to share from last night?” (for younger students) or a quick poll if relevant to the lesson. This builds rapport but should be kept brief to avoid derailing the start of class.
2. Establishing Routine and Expectations:
* Bell Ringer/Do Now/Warm-up Activity: This is a crucial element for many teachers. As students enter, an activity is already displayed (on the board, projector, or a handout) that they can immediately begin working on. This serves several purposes:
* Settles Students: Gives them something to focus on right away.
* Reviews Previous Material: Can be a quick recap of the last lesson.
* Prepares for New Material: Can activate prior knowledge or introduce a concept for the day’s lesson.
* Assesses Understanding: Allows the teacher to gauge student comprehension.
* Maximizes Time: Prevents wasted time while waiting for all students to arrive or for the teacher to organize.
* Clearly Stated Agenda/Objectives: Many teachers display the day’s agenda, learning objectives, or essential question on the board. This helps students understand what they will be learning and doing.
* Reviewing Class Norms/Rules (If Needed): Especially at the beginning of the school year, a quick reminder of classroom expectations (e.g., “Remember our quiet work time expectation during the warm-up”) can be helpful.
3. Building Anticipation and Engagement:
* Enthusiasm and Energy: The teacher’s own energy is contagious. A positive, enthusiastic demeanor can instantly lift the mood of the classroom.
* Connecting to Real-World Examples: If possible, a quick hook or question that connects the day’s lesson to something relevant to students’ lives can immediately capture their attention.
* Previewing Something Exciting: “Today we’re going to embark on an exciting journey into…” or “By the end of today, you’ll be able to…” can create curiosity.
4. Organization and Preparedness:
* Materials Ready: A good teacher has all necessary materials (handouts, markers, technology) prepared and easily accessible before students arrive.
* Clean and Organized Space: A tidy classroom contributes to a sense of calm and order.
* Punctuality: Being in the classroom and ready to go before the bell rings is essential.
Example Scenario:
Imagine a 5th-grade teacher, Mr. Ahmed.
* Before Class: Mr. Ahmed has the day’s “Do Now” question written on the whiteboard: “What is one thing you remember about fractions from yesterday’s lesson?” He also has the learning objective “Students will be able to identify equivalent fractions” displayed.
* As Students Enter: He stands at the door, greeting each student with a warm smile and a “Good morning!” He might say, “Welcome, Sarah! How are you this morning?”
* At the Bell: Once the bell rings, he goes to the front of the class. “Good morning, everyone! Please finish up your ‘Do Now’ question in the next two minutes. Our goal today is to become masters at identifying equivalent fractions.” He circulates, quietly observing students working and offering support as needed.
* Transition: After two minutes, he’ll say, “Alright, let’s share some of our ideas about fractions from yesterday…”
By combining these elements, a good teacher creates a smooth, purposeful, and positive start to the morning, setting the stage for effective learning.