Teacher to Teacher - February 2009 - (Page 3) “Oh, I Learned That in Kindergarten!” beautiful singing voice.” I’ve thought of that statement many times over these twenty-some years because in six weeks this kindergarten teacher, even though this boy did all the K5 things well, had pinpointed the talent that would shape his adult life—music. How did she know that? uncovered the musician in your room? How about the meteorologist? the artist? the story teller? the attorney? the politician? the teacher? the writer? the reporter? the sportswriter? the preacher? the policeman? the veterinarian? the cartoonist? the scientist? the nurse? “How do I discover all Teachers, your first goal when you get a new class should be to find something in each student that he does really well—get to know your students. Teachers, your first goal when you get a new class should be to find something in each student that he does really well—get to know your students. Get to know them so well that you can almost predict what careers they will follow. You ask, “How do I get to know a student that well?” You do this by planning activities that bring out a great variety of abilities—not just abilities that lend themselves well to a desk and paper. This K5 teacher didn’t limit activities to desks and paper; that’s how she uncovered this “beautiful singing voice.” Have you these?” You keep asking volunteers to do this or that. You vary assignments of your students until each one’s real talent comes out. You get to know your students. Another reason this lady’s teaching lasted is that she knew how to make her students think and she knew how to make them want to learn. No, this boy didn’t become an Edison or a Mozart, but he has never stopped thinking or wanting to learn more. “Okay” you say, “How do I teach my students to think?” You do this by filling your students’ days with discussion, discovery, and daring opportunities to find out more. You ask questions and teach them to ask question. If a student asks “What?” You answer with “What do you think?” If a student asks “Why?” you say, “Let’s find out.” If he says, “I don’t understand.” you say, “Think about it.” You challenge them to challenge you. And you make this discussion, discovery, and these opportunities so much fun that learning overshadows any other activity. What this kindergarten teacher did, you can do. If you make your teaching relate to your students’ lives, if you know each student and build on his special talent, and if you teach your students to think and that learning is enjoyable, your teaching will last for a lifetime. Joanne Hall is a retired BJU Press author. Teacher to Teacher | February 2009 page 3
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Teacher to Teacher - February 2009 Teacher to Teacher - February 2009 Teacher to Teacher - February 2009 - (Page Intro) Teacher to Teacher - February 2009 - (Page 1) Teacher to Teacher - February 2009 - (Page 2) Teacher to Teacher - February 2009 - (Page 3) Teacher to Teacher - February 2009 - (Page 4)
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