Chapter 3 - Expect to Get Your Students There
The thought in the opening of this chapter is universal-" I know how to teach my class, but how do I motivate my students to want to learn?"High expectations are the keybut reaching every child at their ability level is the challenge. Teacher belief and values are so critical. The Pygmalion Effect is a great example on page 82. The statement on page 84 "Remember That It Is Ultimately About You, Not the Students", Ithink says it all. The dialogue between the author and Katherine on page 86 and 87 is common.Try This on page 88 will be something we will be doing more of this year-utilizing our teacher talents withtin our building. Page 88- The book "Good to Great" is one of my favorites and have it in my office if anyone would like to read it. Interesting about the Stockdale Paradox. Heading on page 91 is so true - Adopt an Unwavering Faith in Yourself and in the Importance of Your Work. It talks about reflection on page 92, how often do we hear about this? Try This 0n page 95- " Why Did We Get into Teaching in the First Place?"Look at the four questions we need to ask ourselves on page 96 Try This - page 99-Deny yourself the option of failure. In closing the four statements on page 101are great
Chapter 3 has had the most impact on me. I am really examining my teaching philosophy, strategies, and beliefs. This chapter has been a good guide for doing this. I felt like a cannon had hit me square in the head when I read this line on page 85: "If you want to raise your expectations of your students, you first have to raise your expectations of yourself." Talk about in your face!
ReplyDeleteThe most powerful part of this chapter for me comes from the discussion of the book "Good to Great" . I am making a poster to post in front of me to see each day that with the quote form page 89: "You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end - which you can never afford to lose - with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be." Those brutal facts are my achilles tendon. But, I want to do as suggested on page 95 and change my beliefs so that I can interpret the information differently.
This book is a great motivator for me to become a better teacher and a better person. I'm glad we are doing this book study!
I agree with you Teresa. This chapter is quite the eye-opener. Did you notice the pronouns used in the "try this" on page 88? The questions Rick DuFour ask all include the word "I". It seems pretty tough, but I don't think the author is making a harsh point. I think the point is that we need to absolutely, positively BELIEVE that we can make a positive impact on our students.
ReplyDeleteIf we lose heart... our students know it.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone back at school!
Teresa,
ReplyDeleteI felt the same...good description about the cannon! You are so honest...I really respect that. The values, beliefs, really made an impression on me. I made notes of several quotes from this chapter to look at often and remember this year.
Don't forget muffins in the office in the morning!
Christie
I LOVE the ideas on pg 90 ( the "Try This" section).
ReplyDeleteThe idea to make a list of teacher attributes you find important ( 10 most important), and then cross them out until you get to the final two is awesome.
I am am going to do that and then analyze myself daily to make sure I am living up to my own expectations. I think I will do like Teresa and make a poster or at least a small self reminder by my desk. ( Kinda makes me think about the Alice in Wonderland idea in a previous chapter.... knowing where you are going stuff). It will help to stay focused on maintaning and growing toward a specific direction of desired attributes.
I also liked the idea of listing teaching strengths and looking at constraints to teaching abilities. I think these ideas are vital to growing as an educator. It is important to not only monitor our students progress, but it is also important to monitor our own.
It is sometimes difficult to inspire students, especially 8th graders that think they are too big to pay attention, or study. It is also hard for us to keep a positive attitude throughout the day just from the stress of our jobs. However, if students are not inspired, if they do not learn, it is our fault! I am constantly looking for ways to improve as a I know everyone else does too. I blame myself for not being positive enough and finding new ways to present a new topic, or make it interesting for the students. I do not think that lots of bells and whistle are necessary to do this, I think it is all about us....us capturing their attending and making them hang on your every word...just tone of voice can do this. All and all, I think when we do a better job and we feel better about ourselves as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that "OUR" values, beliefs, and expectations can have such a major impact on whether or not our students succeed was an eye opener to say the least. I thought what Robyn said about reflection was pretty powerful, also. That it is one of the greatest contributors to our ability to positively alter our own thinking and behavior. If we don't then we are in danger of mindlessly accepting certain assumptions etc. Also, that without it, we ultimately lose effectiveness in the classroom. OUCH!!!!!
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