Whoever
receives one little child like this
in My
name receives Me.
Prayer
and Meditation
For the first time I look into
the faces of the students whom God has entrusted to me. Some are fresh faced and beaming, obviously
eager to experience new learning opportunities.
Some have the look of confusion and maybe even a hint of defiance. All are God’s children and all are valued
and loved equally by their Creator. I
will eradicate any preconceived notions I have about my students, even those I
have been “warned about” by colleagues.
As I stand by the classroom door and greet each child individually with
a warm smile and a welcoming attitude, I am determined to set a positive tone
for the school year. Over each child I
silently pray, “Lord, teach me to receive this child in your name.”
Prayerful
Teaching in Action
- Set a welcoming tone beginning with the first minutes, the first hours, the first day. Greet students and parents at the door with a pleasant voice and genuine smile. Hold a short conversation with each child or group of children as they arrive at the classroom door. Use high fives, thumbs up, or fist bumps if appropriate. If parents want to engage in long conversations, offer to call them later in the day. This time belongs to the students with whom you will share most of your waking hours.
- Prepare what you plan to say to your students the first time you address them as a group. Rehearse it. Some of first questions students have are, “Who is my teacher? Will my teacher be mean? Will learning be boring? Will I pass?” First impressions are lasting impressions. The emphasis during this first address is on making everyone feel wanted, welcome, and comfortable. Forcing students to listen to a long list of procedures, rules and expectations is not a viable option. These items should be introduced in a natural order with opportunity for immediate practice beginning with Day One. (See August 10th blog on Determining Procedures.
- Launch social comfort. Each classroom, from preschool through high school is a miniature society. Students need to be comfortable and relaxed. They need a warm atmosphere in which to learn. It would be unusual if all students knew each other on the first day. An icebreaking activity might be in order. Take part in the activity rather than take on the role of a passive bystander.
- Show your pride in your students’ success through posting student work in the classroom in a prominent place. Select a learning standard on the first day of class. Plan an activity which will generate student artifacts you can post the next day. During the second day, continue building on the standard with the use of the newly posted artifacts. This will allow students to know they are an important part of the learning process and are respected as learners.
- Commit to making positive comments. Correct negative behavior through redirection, eye contact (continue what you are doing, walk up to student, make eye contact, when behavior changes, smile, and nod a thank you, all without disrupting the teaching/learning stream), or giving the student an immediate responsibility. Embarrassing a student in front of her peers will only result in her turning the tables and embarrassing you in front of her peers. Provide students who need to be redirected with an opportunity for success and use praise when the task is completed. You may need to speak to some students individually, away from others, before the end of the day.
- Watch out for unintentional negative signals such as crossing your arms when interacting with students, allowing hints of anger or disappointment slip into the tone of your voice, or expressing disgust or impatience through facial expressions. Research has shown that nonverbal communication in the classroom is more powerful than verbal communication. The same is true for students. Observe students’ unspoken signals to you.
God Bless and Prayerful Teaching,
Elizabeth
A. Wink
prayerfulteaching@gmail.com
Hi, Really great effort. Everyone must read this article. Thanks for sharing.
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