Qualities of Effective Teachers

Qualities of Effective Teachers 

2nd Edition

by James H. Stronge

As summer had arrived it was time to think about tackling the bucket list I had created for summer reading. Being a life long learner and avid reader of many genres in my personal reading, as well as the various texts in my professional reading, I noticed I had books in my personal library that were "must haves" in the moment that I never had the time to read. I came across James H. Stronge's book Qualities of Effective Teachers. While I consider myself to be an effective teacher, there is always that wonder of what others deem to be a "effective". I began to flip through the pages and came across a quote that captured my attention, "Implementing instruction is like opening night at the theater, where all the behind-the-scenes work is hidden and only the magic is seen by the audience." Wow! This quote seemed to resonate with me as it grabbed me with its poetic delivery. I put my reading list aside, sat on the floor next to my bookcase and began to read.

Its funny how when I read a professional text such as this my mind tends to place people I've taught with within the different scenarios given. So what does makes an effective teacher effective? The book opens with discussing teachers as individuals and as professionals and then proceeds to focus on aspects of the role of a teacher including practices and responsibilities. I was a bit intrigued when I read the section on "Educational Coursework and Effective Teaching". It made me think about the current state of education, with all of the hoops educators must jump through and mandates which seem to be impacting how many teaching candidates there are in the colleges today. Stronge wrote, "Studies support the finding that fully prepared teachers understand how students learn and what and how they need to be taught." While I do believe a solid teacher preparation background is necessary, I also believe it is not until you have experienced the daily happenings in a classroom that a teacher begins to learn what is needed to be fully prepared. I've had colleagues who came with glowing credentials from coursework, but had little to no idea of how to deal with the behavioral or emotional characteristics of the students in their classroom. Later in the chapter, teaching experience and teacher effectiveness are discussed where it is stated that, "Experienced teachers differ from rookie teachers in that they have attained expertise through real-life experiences, classroom practices, and time."

The book is research based and is broken into two parts. Part 1, "What it means to be an effective teacher" discusses topics such as prerequisites for effective teaching, teachers as individuals and professionals, and breaks into effective planning, organization, implement instruction, and monitoring instruction in regard to student progress and potential. Part 2, "Teacher Effectiveness: Resources you can use" is broken into three sections respectively, "Teacher Skills Assessment Checklists", "Teacher Responsibilities and Teacher Behaviors", and an "Annotated Bibliography".

What I really liked about this book was how it provided insight into the importance of a teacher's attitude toward teaching, as well as the importance of incorporating reflection into a teaching practice. Thought provoking resources are found in Part 2, Section I "Teacher Skills Assessment Checklists". Included are checklists for "The Teacher as a Person", "Classroom Management and Organization", "Planning and Organizing for Instruction", "Implementing Instruction", and "Monitoring Student Progress and Potential". In Section II, "Teacher Responsibilities and Teacher Behaviors", Stronge lists "Positive Qualities" and "Red Flags of ineffective Teaching" under various categories such as "Classroom Management and Organization" and "Planning and Organizing for Instruction". I found the checklists to be useful in reflecting upon my own practice.

Overall I would highly recommend reading this title. However, I read the 2nd edition, and there is now a 3rd edition available that offers updated resources (link to the book provided).

https://www.amazon.com/Qualities-Effective-Teachers-James-Stronge/dp/1416625860

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

I truly believe that the best way to find out about a book is through sharing our reading. This is a practice I use in my classroom as we all share out what we are currently reading. How lovely it was one afternoon when a former student stopped by after school to visit. It was during our conversation that it struck me how the impact of what we share as educators lives within our students long after they leave us. My student  had been wanting to come to  share a book that she had just read because it reminded her of her fifth grade class and me. 

"Me?" I asked. 

"Well, the teacher in the book is a man, but the way the students feel about him is the way we all feel about you," she replied. "Also, some of the characters in the story I could definitely put the face to from kids in our class."

Okay, not only did this student take the time to come visit me, but she was excited to share a book? This was a book I had to read. 

Because of Mr. Terrupt by Rob Buyea is the story of a fifth grade teacher who made a huge impact on the lives of his students. The story takes a tragic turn that makes the students learn some life lessons and come together. 

The students are a cast of characters that could easily be sitting in any fifth grade classroom. They include: Alexia, a mean girl with a past that later explains why she acts this way; Peter, a trouble maker/prankster who will surprise you when another side of him is revealed; Jessica, the new girl who is trying to fit in and adjust to her family situation; Luke, the student who is considered "the brain" and will teach you about "dollar words"; Anna, the shy, sensitive girl who has trouble standing up for herself; Danielle, the sensitive, chubby, plain girl who struggles with how she looks and prays to God often; and Jeffrey, who hates school and has a secret that is later revealed that explains his outlook. The teacher is Mr. Terupt who is the new fifth grade teacher who seems to be able to make all of his students feel welcomed and creates a classroom full of fun and learning. 

I've since read this book as a read aloud to my fifth grade class. It has provided a stage for many great conversations. I might add that it has also made a few students consider how they treat others. This book is the first of three Mr. Terupt books by Rob Buyea. 

Rob Buyea's website

It's Been A Long Time

Hello fellow book lovers! It's been a few years since I've posted to this blog, but I've been inspired over that last few weeks to return to writing every day. Through reflection, I realized that blogging about books, whether I read them for pleasure or professional reasons, is something I enjoy. I must be totally honest and share that I've been involved in many professional learning communities over that past few years that have truly helped me grow my teaching practice. While I've been a part of the Twitter community since 2009, I've recently connected with other wonderfully inspiring educators and literacy leaders through tweeting. The more tweets I read from trusted professionals I follow, the more connections I have made. Through this networking I've become a part of a Facebook group, "TeachWrite: A Tribe for Teachers of Writers & Teachers Who Write." Each day we are encouraged to write about anything. The post goes out asking, "What will you write today?" and the responses that follow are intriguing and range from writing a few sentences to  working on a dissertation. It is an amazing group that has renewed my desire to write more.

I have many books to share, but I've decided to start with three: a professional text, a book that has become a student favorite, and a book I am looking forward to reading. 

Professional Text:

The Book Whisperer Awakening the Inner Reader In Every Child by Donalyn Miller is a book that I keep returning to as a resource. The author's style of writing is like having a conversation. The information is presented using relatable scenarios, sharing her thought process along the way, and the idea of providing choice to our student readers to help instill a love of reading. Sharing her experiences of struggling with ways to teach reading, collegial conversations, and the professional texts read and workshops attended made this professional text an enjoyable read. Ms. Miller provides "Key Components of A Reading Workshop", the idea of "dormant readers" and "underground readers." Sharing her work with students, Ms. Miller provides "case study" insight into these readers, goal setting, provides examples of student work and survey responses which offer helpful and practical strategies to use in the classroom. The appendices at the end of the book are valuable resources, "Appendix A: The Care and Feeding of a Classroom Library" and "Appendix B: Ultimate Library List" and revisited often. 

A book that has become a classroom favorite:

Alice Hoffman has been one of my favorite authors as an adult reader for many years. I wrote about her book, Here On Earth a few years ago as a book I would highly recommend. Not realizing she wrote to a younger audience as well, I was so happy to come across her book Nightbird. This is a captivating story about a centuries-old curse, a family secret that must be  kept, and  a unique twelve year old girl named Twig. Because of this secret, Twig has never really had a real friend, but that is all about to change when she meets their neighbor Julia.  This story provides  a mix of mystical, magical, fantasy, family, and friendship  theme that has kept a few of my students begging for more independent reading time. 

A book I am looking forward to reading: 

  

The release date for this book is March, 2018. Here is a link to the author's website. www.loisletchford.com

Popular: A memoir- Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek

by Maya Van Wagenen

I can't believe it is just about the middle of August! This summer has been quite busy for me as I teach in a literacy program during the month of July. I'm always on the look out for "just right books" for my students, and I found some interesting reading for myself as I navigated through the local library's website. I actually stumbled upon the book Popular by Maya Van Wagenen as I read one of the librarian's blogs.

First of all, I think it is helpful to remember the old saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover". The cover has a paper doll theme and leads one to believe it is intended for a younger audience. Well, I guess that is not too far fetched as the author is a girl in her early teens. As I read further into the blog, which was from the library's "Readers Corner", I became intrigued with the concept of how the book came to be written.

In 1951 a book had been published by a young woman by the name of Betty Cornell, entitled Betty Cornell's Teenage Popularity Guide. It was an book that offered advice to teenage girls on ways to become well liked. Maya's father had come across the book at a thrift store and looked through the old torn pages reading the "outdated ideas." Considering it a piece of "vintage pop culture", Maya's father purchased the book. As the author describes, the book sat in her dad's office for years until being found by Maya's mom, who then gave the book to Maya. Discovering this book, and being encouraged by her mom, led to a wonderful adventure/experiment for Maya. Maya followed the advice in Betty's book for one year, her eighth grade year of middle school. She wrote about her journey, including her feelings and other's reactions, and soon discovers the true meaning of being "popular".

What I like best about this book is that it really makes me think about my own teenage years, as well as my students experiences. Being a kid can be hard and, sadly, outward appearance many times makes or breaks how people are viewed. I love the message of this memoir, the relationships Maya has with her family, friends/peers, and the connection she makes with Betty Cornell.

I would highly recommend this book to adults as well as pre-teens/teens. It is thought provoking and forces the reader to consider what truly is important in a person. Below is a link that will bring you to the Today Show's Book page featuring Popular from earlier this year, including an interview with the author.

http://www.today.com/books/popular-1960s-style-approach-becoming-cool-modern-world-2D79513955

If you decide to read Popular by Maya Van Wagenen, I'd love to hear from you!

READING BLOGS ON ALL SUBJECTS CAN BE VERY HELPFUL IN THE CLASSROOM

Now that summer has arrived, I have found some time to read and search for new ways to increase technology in my classroom. Believe it or not my search begins in my personal email account!  As a teacher, I subscribe to many newsletters and websites that send out some great links and ideas for educators. Unfortunately, during the school year, I tend to get bogged down with the daily instructional lesson planning, school email, etc. Some subscriptions go directly to my personal email account. If you're a teacher, you'll understand how easy it is to look at our personal accounts and say, "I'll read that later", and later turns out to be in the summer!

This morning I decided to get a cup of coffee and my laptop to begin my online reading/research. I found a great blog from "We Are Teachers" that I thought was very useful. The blog topic is "20 Simple Ideas for Teaching Math to a Classroom of Multi-Level Kids". This caught my eye as this year my grade level will no longer be differentiating our classrooms by switching for math class by level. Instead, each teacher will keep their homeroom and differentiate instruction for multiple math levels within the classroom. From the first of the twenty simple ideas,  integrate math into every part of your day, to the last, check for understanding frequently, I found this blog very useful and worthy of passing along. I am including the link below so that you may visit the blog.


http://www.weareteachers.com/community/blogs/weareteachersblog/blog-wat/2014/04/10/20-simple-ideas-for-teaching-math-to-a-classroom-of-multi-level-kids

Do you read any blogs that you feel offer great tips for the classroom?

Exciting News!

Last year I blogged about Luanne Rice's book, What Matters Most (February, 2013). On May 27th Luanne Rice's The Lemon Orchard is coming out in paperback. Even better, if you are part of a book club, Luanne offers a reading group guide for the book! There is also a Kindle edition available.

http://luannerice.net/lemon-orchard-reading-group-guide/



http://luannerice.net/lemon-orchard-paperback/
http://www.amazon.com/The-Lemon-Orchard-Luanne-Rice-ebook/dp/B00AEBESK8

The Lemon Orchard In Paperback 5/27/14

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A heartrending, timely love story of two people from seemingly different worlds—at once dramatic and romanticLuanne Rice is the beloved author of twenty-two New York Times bestsellers. In The Lemon Orchard, one of her most moving and accomplished works yet, Rice gives us an affirming story about the redemptive power of compassion, set in the sea- and citrus-scented air of the breathtaking Santa Monica Mountains.It’s been five years since Julia’s daughter died. When she arrives to housesit at her uncle’s home in Malibu, she longs only for peace. But to her surprise, Julia becomes drawn to Roberto, the handsome man from Mexico who oversees the lemon orchard. When Roberto reveals his own heartbreak, Julia recognizes his pain, but their stories have one striking difference: Roberto’s daughter was lost—and never found. What ensues is a page-turning search across the U.S. and Mexican border and a captivating novel of love, both enduring and unexpected. “Entrancing.” —People (***)   “Rice’s fans will appreciate the evocative setting and unconventional romance, as well as the harrowing . . . depictions of border crossing and the fascinating parallels drawn between Julia’s research interests (she studies the Irish who arrived in America over a century ago) and modern-day Mexican immigrants.” —Publishers Weekly PREORDER

      

 

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  The Lemon Orchard

  From bestselling author Luanne Rice—a captivating and sexy novel of love, both enduring and unexpected Buy the Book Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-a-Million 

Time sure flies when you have a busy classroom!

Hello fellow readers! It's been a while since I've had time to blog about books. Rest assured reading is abundant in my very busy classroom. I've incorporated a lot of technology into my classroom this year, starting with the 6 Ipads I was awarded after submitting a "proposal" of sorts as to how I'd incorporate using this form of technology in my classroom. Fast forward 8 months since being introduced to this tool and I can't imagine not having this technology as part of our daily routine! 

It seems everything has been bumped up exponentially with technology. Aside from the Ipads, I've introduced a new way to do read aloud in my classroom. Traditionally, after lunch each day, I would read to my class. Now, with my Eike projector and accessing my Kindle library on Google Cloud, my class reads "interactively". What does this mean? Well, I project the book onto my interactive whiteboard, and the students take over. One student uses my wireless mouse (yes, another form of technology I can't live without) and becomes the "host" for the reading during that time. They are in charge of choosing students to read and clicking on unknown words to discover their meaning (I love that feature that is included on  electronic books). 

Anyway, to get to the reason for my post today, I wanted to share two books that I use with my class during our study of Latin America. Author Pam Munoz Ryan has written two books that are traditionally well received by my fifth graders. Becoming Naomi Leon and Esperanza Rising are two stories that offer a nice thematic learning experience encompassing social studies and English Language Arts. On the Engage New York website you will find a complete unit using the novel Esperanza Rising.

http://www.engageny.org/resource/grade-5-ela-module-1-unit-3-lesson-2

Esperanza Rising and Becoming Naomi Leon. Both novels are written by Pam Munoz Ryan.The following links will provide you with information on each of the books.

http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Naomi-Leon-Munoz-Ryan/dp/0439269970

http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/becoming-naomi-leon

http://www.scholastic.com/esperanza/

http://www.amazon.com/Esperanza-Rising-Pam-Munoz-Ryan/dp/043912042X