E.F.F.O.R.T. and G.R.A.C.E.: A Teacher's Guide to a Successful Opening of Classes
Let's Gear Up for the Opening of Classes!
by Ms. Eugenia C. Martin
June 2012
First impressions last. We all know that. That's why we always put our best foot forward during these times. The first class meeting is perhaps the most challenging and exciting part of the teaching-learning process, for both the teachers and the students.
I really admire those teachers who can magically transform this day into a very special and memorable day for students, where the students would wonder why the time seemed too short and they would look forward to coming back to school. I have known several teachers who are like that. Their strategies are so effective that the students are so engaged and are having so much fun! They are oozing with positive disposition and infectious cheerful attitude! They are always wearing smiles and can be great candidates for the Search for the Happiest Pinoy!
Inspired by these wonderful and dedicated teachers, I have tried their strategies and vowed to apply in my life some of their admirable qualities, which I find effective.
So, for the first day of classes to have a favorable and lasting effect, we really need lots of preparation! The experience in this day can make or break the teacher's career. It can also determine the success or failure of the academic relationship of the teacher and students for the school year. It can also determine if the lives of both the teacher and the students would be a life of suffering or a life of enjoyment. To help me remember, I had thought of organizing the strategies and traits into these meaningful acronyms. So, teachers, let's gear up! Let's have: E.F.F.O.R.T. & G.R.A.C.E.
ENERGY (there’s a need for physical, psychological and spiritual energy)
Teachers need enough energy to be physically present. They need to psyche themselves up for this challenging day. They need to ask for enough wisdom, courage and strength from God, through prayer, to have a worthwhile and rewarding day.
FACILITIES (a clean and orderly environment clears the mind)
Teachers need to arrange and structure the learning environment to project a prepared, enjoyable and challenging place for learning. Ventilation, lighting, chalk/white boards and chairs must be cleaned and prepared in advance to have a conducive learning environment. Students must be seated following a particular order to facilitate recognition and recall of students' names. Always remember that the sweetest word a person can hear is the sound of his/her name being called with respect and dignity. Discipline problems are expected to be nil if the teachers can manage, control, and regulate the learning environment. Students will definitely follow the teacher's lead in valuing a clean, safe and organized environment.
FORMS (complete and organized school forms must be at hand)
School register, masterlist, lesson plans, visual aids and class records must be accomplished properly and accurately. Prepared teachers always have all the needed forms, materials and supplies accessible at all times. Class and teacher programs must be displayed at conspicuous places.
ORDER (there should be a place for everything and everything should be in its proper place - both for people and things)
Order should start even before the students enter the classroom. Establishing norms for acceptable level of order is recommended.
Example routine:
- Make the students line up first, alphabetically arranged; separate the boys from the girls.
- Guide the students to their seats as per plan.
- Introduce yourself as preliminary for proper greetings.
- Instruct the students with the proper greeting (as per the school's culture and tradition).
- Don't let the greetings pass without achieving the highest level of standard. Good practice makes perfect.
- Check the attendance. Record it in the school register. You may ask a student volunteer to write the statistics on the allotted space on the board.
Year and Section: _______________ Date:______
No. of students Expected Present Absent
Boys ________ ______ _____
Girls ________ ______ _____
Total ________ ______ _____
- Check the cleanliness of the surroundings. Ask the students to be aware of their environment and encourage them to maintain the cleanliness, especially within their area.
- Proceed with the lesson as planned.
- Start with an engaging question, anecdote or story
- Possible topics may include, goals of education, present curriculum, school history, philosophy, vision-mission objective, school officials and basic rules and regulations, grading system, among others, employing highly engaging activities and appropriate formative assessments.
- Implement the agreed rules and regulations inside the classrooms (before, during and after class, especially the duties and responsibilities of assigned groups and /or elected officers)
- Give an engaging assignment
RULES and REGULATIONS (start the school year right by orienting the students on the importance of following the rules and regulations; which is part of being a disciplined person)
Distribution of a student manual is highly recommended (or distribution of list of school rules and regulations, with list of school officials and list of facilities and service centers). Involve the students in explaining the basic school rules and regulations. Also, discuss the specific rules and regulations to be implemented inside the classroom.
Remind them regularly of the rules and the corresponding sanction or punishment. There is a need for consistency, firmness, patience and a lot of love. According to various brain researches, growing children and adolescents (because of their developing frontal lobe) tend to forget. The majority does not necessarily violate the rules willfully but they merely forget and need to be reminded regularly.
The following approach in handling discipline cases is recommended during the first few weeks:
1st offense minor offenses-reminder;
2nd offense-reminder again; students tend to forget.
3rd offense-written reprimand, with Parent-Teacher Conference
4th offense-behavioral contract, with Parent-Teacher Conference
5th offense-formal discipline case, with Parent-Teacher Conference and regular counseling; which must implement valid, fair and appropriate sanctions after the committee on discipline's deliberation.
If feasible, write the agreed rules in the bulletin board, with the signature of all the students as sign of their support and commitment. People in general tend to support rules and policies if they were involved and part of the policy formulation.
TIME (no time must be wasted for things of not great importance)
Promptness and punctuality must be observed. There should be engaged time-on-task. Allot time for engaging activities: teacher-to-student or student-to-teacher interaction; student-to-student; and student-to-materials or materials-to-student interaction. Maximize the contact time and spend it with quality. Avoid unnecessary interruptions to facilitate and guarantee understanding of the concepts.
There must be time for reflection. Silence is not always a cause for alarm. Allow enough thinking time, especially after asking essential questions. Maximize the allotted class time for a worthwhile, authentic and engaged learning experiences. Always encourage and keep the students' sense of wonder. Student's questions and concerns may not always be answered in one sitting. Allow time for the students to understand and explain the concepts in their own words.
E.F.F.O.R.T. must be associated with the following traits – G.R.A.C.E.
Good-manners and Generosity
Respect and Responsibility
Attentiveness and Alertness
Care and Commitment
Excellence and Enthusiasm
Finally, in any endeavor, we should always seek guidance from God through prayers. With enough effort on our part and God’s grace, we could not go wrong. Let our work be an expression of our love and our continuous commitment to serve!
With these, I guarantee GOOD start, BETTER teaching-learning experience and BEST intentions to make a difference -- one student at a time! Carpe diem!
Effort and grace indeed.
ReplyDelete