There are many different ways to be a teacher, and there is no one right way to do it. However, there are some things that all teachers should do, and some things that they should avoid. By following these dos and don’ts, you can be sure that you are setting yourself up for success in the classroom.
Do: Get to know your students. One of the most important things you can do as a teacher is to get to know your students. By taking the time to learn about their interests, backgrounds, and abilities, you will be able to better meet their needs and connect with them on a personal level.
Don’t: Favor one student over another. It is important to treat all of your students equally. Showing favoritism will only lead to jealousy and resentment among your students.
Do: Be patient. Teaching can be challenging, and there will be days when it seems like nothing is going right. It is important
| DO | DON’T |
|---|---|
| | be excited, pleasant, and cheerful to everyone in the building. | | appear to have an attitude. |
| | be on time EVERY DAY. If possible, arrive at school before your teacher does. | | be the first person to leave the building in the afternoon. |
10 do’s of teaching
Here are 10 ideas you might think about using in the classroom:
1. Do observe other teachers
Spend an hour in another teacher’s classroom when you have time to watch how they interact with the students. Make notes on the effective classroom management techniques they employ so that you can implement them with your students. Conversely, you might notice techniques they employ with their students that don’t seem to be very effective, and you can offer them beneficial suggestions on how to improve their management.
2. Do differentiate your teaching methods
Some students benefit from different teaching strategies because they learn at different rates. This may involve imparting the same knowledge while utilizing various teaching methods, such as direct instruction, small-group lessons, or one-on-one discussions. This may also entail teaching the same subject while assigning worksheets and tests with varying degrees of difficulty based on the students’ level of understanding.
3. Do take professional development classes
Teachers can continue to develop their professional skills and their understanding of effective teaching methods through professional development, which offers continuing education. You can learn new skills by observing other teachers at work with their students in a variety of settings, including in-person, online, or both. For teachers to maintain their teaching credentials, many school districts demand that they complete a certain number of hours of professional development. While some schools decide which classes they want their teachers to take, others let them pick their own classes based on their interests.
4. Do provide student-centered learning opportunities
A teaching strategy known as “student-centered learning” gives students the freedom to decide what and how they learn. By allowing students to learn in a way that accommodates each of them individually, this approach fosters engagement, independence, and empowerment in them. Some student-centered strategies include:
5. Do give students roles during group work
Consider assigning each student a role when they are working in small groups so that they can collaborate more effectively. Everyone now has a responsibility, and they are more likely to hold themselves accountable as a result. Some of the typical roles include:
6. Do establish rules early
It’s advantageous to have your rules decided before the students enter the classroom. On the first day of classes, you can lay out your expectations and ground rules and establish a strict tone for the academic year. Consider allowing your older students to vote on the rules as a class if you want them to have more input. They can brainstorm rules individually in groups before voting on which ones they believe are most crucial to follow in the classroom.
7. Do model the behavior youd like to see from your students
Modeling desired behavior for students is one of the simplest ways to get them to comply with instructions and behave in the desired way. They may need to practice modeling for a few days or weeks before it becomes second nature to them, but if you are persistent in your efforts, they are more likely to succeed.
For instance, it’s crucial that you treat them with respect if you want your students to do the same for you and one another. Similarly, you can demonstrate exactly how this looks if you want them to raise their hands before asking a question.
8. Do set goals with your students
Teach them to set goals for themselves at the start of the academic year. You can begin by setting a short-term objective, such as getting an “A” on an upcoming test or quickening their running pace in physical education. Once they become comfortable setting and reviewing their goals, they can start setting longer-term objectives, like earning a particular grade in your class for the entire semester. To help them choose a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based, think about introducing SMART goals.
9. Do be consistent
Be as consistent as possible with your students’ expectations, rules, and punishments. For instance, follow through if you say you’ll call their parents after three verbal warnings in class so they know they can rely on you to do what you say. Effective classroom management includes being consistent, which can improve your relationship with your students.
10. Do use nonverbal cues
Gaining the trust of your students can be accomplished by utilizing nonverbal cues. For instance, instead of calling out a student’s name in front of the class if they are not paying attention during a lesson, you can simply make eye contact with them and ask them to stop what they are doing. Frequently, they will alter their behavior once you make eye contact with them. Other nonverbal cues include:
Why is knowing the do’s and don’ts of teaching important?
Knowing the dos and don’ts of teaching will help you better prepare for a successful school year. Learning the “dos” of teaching can help you develop some practical techniques that could raise your level of instruction, build rapport with your students, and enhance their classroom behavior. Additionally, being aware of the dos and don’ts for this role can help you learn better classroom alternatives by showing you what to avoid doing.
7 don’ts of teaching
Here are seven practices to avoid when youre teaching:
1. Dont come unprepared for class
Its important to be prepared for class every day. Students are more likely to have excessive amounts of free time if the lesson isn’t planned or the necessary materials aren’t printed, which they can use for disruptive or off-task behaviors like using their phones. By scheduling your lessons in advance, you can be ready each day. This enables you to prepare the necessary materials and plan out your daily activities before class.
2. Dont focus only on teacher-centered learning
When a teacher instructs a lesson to the class directly, the students listen and occasionally take notes as they are being taught. Although this method of instruction can make it simpler to control students and keep them focused, it doesn’t give them much room to think creatively or work with other students. They might lose interest and their concentration on the lessons being taught if it becomes boring.
Think about varying your instructional approach by including more interesting, student-centered exercises in your lesson plans. This increases the interest of the information and gives them a chance to interact with one another.
3. Dont sit down while you have a class in the room
It can be risky to sit down for an extended period of time while you have students in the classroom. Some kids might wander off task or interfere with other students’ work in the classroom. To prevent this, frequently circle the entire class so that the students are aware of your observation of them. Student observation can reduce disruptive behavior and encourage them to finish their work.
4. Dont judge students based on their behavior in week one
Many students are still getting used to their new teachers at the beginning of the year, and they are unsure of how to behave in class. Some students might misbehave during the first week of class, and you might conclude from their behavior that they aren’t good students. It can be difficult to establish a good rapport with them if you judge them too quickly, and they might carry on acting badly.
Try to maintain objectivity as everyone gets used to the new school year to prevent this. Give everyone some time to get to know one another. Be cordial with the students you are unsure of because, more often than not, they are also wary of you because you are unfamiliar to them. Sometimes all it takes for them to behave positively and change their attitude is to show them kindness.
5. Dont rely too heavily on administrators
It’s critical that students comprehend that you are in charge in the classroom. Your authority is reduced if administrators handle the majority of the disciplinary actions in your class. While calling administrators for assistance can be convenient and occasionally necessary, it is usually better to handle incidents on your own when you can. If you explain consequences to your students at the beginning of the year and consistently enforce them, you might be less likely to require the administration’s help.
6. Dont yell at students
Sometimes it’s difficult to maintain control of your attitude due to a student’s negative behavior. Getting angry and yelling at someone can make them behave worse in the future and can be detrimental to your reputation as a teacher. When you are upset with a student and are tempted to yell at them, take a moment to gather your composure. Take a moment to relax outside the classroom, or take one student outside at a time to talk with them privately about the problem.
7. Dont treat students unfairly
It can be difficult to avoid treating some of your students differently from others based on their behavior in class once you’ve gotten to know them better. It’s important to treat all of the students with the same level of kindness and respect, even though teachers occasionally give their friendlier or more diligent students preference. If you treat a disruptive student with the same level of consideration, they might behave differently in your class as a result of their gratitude for your tolerance and willingness to assist them.
Dos and Don’ts (teacher edition)
FAQ
What are the 10 golden rules of teaching?
- Show respect for your teacher. …
- Be on time. …
- Be considerate of students around you. …
- Wear suitable attire. …
- Keep talking and giggling to a minimum. …
- Keep your attention focused on the workshop teacher. …
- Take notes when sitting out of active participation. …
- Let the teacher teach.
What are the 7 principles of teaching?
- Learners at the centre. Create an environment that recognises learners as its core participants.
- Social nature of learning. …
- Emotions are integral to learning. …
- Recognise individual differences. …
- Stretch all students. …
- Assessment for learning. …
- Build horizontal connections.
What should teachers stop doing?
- Holding their pee. …
- Assigning daily homework. …
- Punishing elementary students for being late to school. …
- Asking kids what they did over break. …
- Doing work after hours. …
- Giving weekly spelling tests. …
- Using classroom reward systems and treasure chests.
