Getting to Know You: Ideas to Help Teachers Get to Know Their Students
Toni Enloe
Sep 13, 2010
How can using a variety of strategies help me get to know the students in my classroom?
In his book, Visible Learning, John Hattie cites the research of J. Cornelius-White(2007) on the importance of teacher-student relationships and its impact on student success. Hattie states, "In classes with person-centered teachers, there is more engagement, more respect of self and others, there are fewer resistant behaviors, there is greater non-directivity (student-initiated and student regulated activities), and there are higher achievement outcomes. Hattie goes on to say that the research of Cornelius-White indicates that in the development of student-teacher relationships, teachers must communicate that they care about the learning of each student by creating a safe environment that provides "valuable feedback to self assess."
Before you can effectively differentiate assignments you need to know who is in your classroom. What are their likes and dislikes, their strengths and weaknesses? Recently in a LEARNING-FOCUSED Differentiated Assignments workshop, a group of K-12 administrators and teachers were asked, "How do you get to know your students?" Teachers and administrators offered the following ideas. Many do double duty providing insight into the lives of their students while providing evidence of the individual student's ability to communicate through their writing.
1. Student Learning Surveys - There are a variety of these types of surveys available online. These surveys help teachers identify the learning styles of their students.
2. Data - Use of student performance data can help teachers and administrators identify where students are with regard to learning. There are many sources including, state tests, district benchmark tests and student tests for readiness.
3. Lunch with the kids - Administrators said that they really enjoy spending time with students in the cafeteria. This time allows them to talk with students and begin to build relationships.
4. Journal Responses - Responses can serve two functions. They allow teachers to gather some insight into a student's life when prompts are well crafted. Through student writing, teachers may also gather evidence of vocabulary development and writing skills.
5. Bead Necklace - In this activity, students create a necklace of beads that are symbolic of their interests. Each colored bead represents a different interest.
6. My Favorite Things - This writing activity poses a series of questions to which students respond.
7. All About Me poster - Much like the "Coat of Arms" that were popular in middle school advisory classes, these posters. Ideas for the poster might include: my pets, my favorite foods, things I like to do, my talents, my family. Students may use words, pictures and symbols.
8. Letter to the teacher - While assessing students' letter writing skills, teachers can learn more about their students. Teachers can suggest topics to be covered in the letter.
9. Bio Poems - 11 line descriptive poems, these are creative and fun ways for students to share information about themselves while giving teachers and opportunity to incorporate writing. Bio poems have a specific structure that emphasizes the use of descriptive vocabulary.
It is not until we really know who our students are that we can begin to build relationships and develop learning activities that move students forward. For more ideas on how to differentiate assignments in your classroom, check out the Learning-Focused Differentiated Assignments workshop.
Special thanks to the teachers and administrators of Jackson County, West Virginia for their contributions.
