Experienced Teachers Share Their Insights

"I’ve learned to be consistent, to offer students routines and discipline. Kids need that kind of security in the classroom-and environment where there are rules shared by all."



2. "I wish I hadn’t felt obligated to deal with what was in my lesson plans all the time. When kids really wanted to know the answer to something. I’d put that motivation on the back burner because it didn’t fit that plan, and I lost out on some opportunities."



3. "I believe in giving people attention. I do it with the help of a crate, a perfect little stage. Kids stand on this ‘soapbox" whenever they have a story to read or something to share-because, let’s face it: Kids love to ham it up." (From a 21-year veteran who tells his third graders: "I can tell you’re listening if I can see your eyes.")



4. "I’ve learned to give kids time to think after I ask the questions."



5. "I wish I’d realized how important everything you say to a child is. I don’t think you realize how important all the comments you put on the papers (and the little smiling faces) are to a child."



6. "I don’t thing enough can be said about the use of peer tutoring. Too often, teachers feel that the teaching must come from the adult in the classroom. Don’t be afraid to share some authority and responsibility for classroom learning."



7. "Be the kind of person you want the students in your class to be. If a teacher doesn’t live up to his own standards, how can the children believe they are important?"



8. "I avoid favoritism by purposely choosing a teacher’s pet. Every child has a job for a day as part of the secret rotation. My pet does all the tasks that students love to do."



9. "I take ‘time outs.’ I set up a time-out desk for any child who would like to calm down for a moment. The child gets to take a breather, and I don’t have to send him out of the room."



10. "I call parents when children do something well."