Contextual variables affect teaching and learning.
KSA 1
An effective teacher is flexible and can make decisions based on many factors in the classroom. Some of the factors that teachers must be cognisant of are: the maturity and age of the students, their ability and talents, their relationships with each other and their prior learning. Other factors include parent communication, resources available, and the general and specific outcomes for the course.
Listed below are some examples of how I have run my classroom and made decisions based on these factors.
Listed below are some examples of how I have run my classroom and made decisions based on these factors.
Implementing a seating plan
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I believe in using a seating plan for every grade. A seating plan is extremely effective for classroom management and learning. On the first day of school, a seating plan is useful in that you can learn the students names faster and the students feel like they have a place in your class. Students are forced to sit by peers they may not know and this will encourage new friendships to grow and this will enhance the classroom atmosphere. Seating plans can also be implemented to reduce student tension and to maximize group work by sitting stronger students with struggling students.
Seating plans even helped me learn things about the students I would not have otherwise; for instance, one student learned that he needed glasses.
Seating plans even helped me learn things about the students I would not have otherwise; for instance, one student learned that he needed glasses.
Student relationships and group activities
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Respect for one another is a very important rule in my classroom. However, some students just do not get along. In one of my classes, it was quite obvious that two students didn't work well together. I tried to guide the students to create a relationship, but I cannot change their feelings for each other. The best solution for the students was to sit separately and to be in different groups for class activities.
Student ability, prior knowledge and talents
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Before the school year even starts I begin to research my students. I look at their cumulative file, talk with prior teachers and make connections with parents and guardians to understand the needs of my students. On the first day of school I always spend time with the students to learn about their interests. I give out a questionnaire asking them what they like and what they feel are their strengths and weaknesses. In also make sure I talk to either the parents or the students, depending on age, and find out their allergies, interests and goals. Using the knowledge that I obtain on the first few weeks, I begin to build assignments, make special adaptations and seating plans that will suit my students.
Home life in my classroom
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Some students are dealt with more challenging home lives than others. These students need extra support in the classroom in order for them to succeed. For instance, one student in my class rarely received breakfast in the morning. Without breakfast, even the most talented students will struggle in class; therefore, every morning I provided this student with breakfast.