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The Challenge:

A former student once came to visit me at school many years after his graduation. He told me that the thing he remembered most about the advanced biology course that I taught was how fun I was and that he still remembered the day I wore two different pairs of shoes (long story about that). What! Of all the things related to the biology curriculum he only remembered the infamous shoe incident. It made me realize that students forget most of the information from a class; what they remember most is what they learned from you as a person; things like humor, kindness, fairness, understanding, effort, compassion and commitment (intangibles). If you teach the right way students will remember, from you class, some academic information, some skills but mostly the intangibles.

Teaching revolves around three things, facts, skills and the INTANGIBLES. The facts, the information related to the topic, for example the parts of a cell or the setup of a particular math equation. Skills, for example, writing a letter, using a spreadsheet or public speaking these are tasks that can be applied to all school subjects and life. The INTANGIBLES are not easily defined, it’s different for different teachers and students. For students the INTANGIBLES that a teacher projects far outweigh the facts and skills that that they teach. The facts are fleeting, the skills are useful, but many facts and skills get usurped by time (do you remember what a slide rule is). The INTANGIBLES are not forgotten, they teach students about goodness, caring and determination. How can you make the intangibles your most powerful teaching skill?

A Solution:

In KBLOG 7 and KBLOG 11 I address some ways that I use to make the atmosphere in my classroom top notch, that bring out the intangibles.

1.      Young Guy Pictures – There is nothing that makes a teacher more relatable to students than showing them pictures of yourself at a younger age.  My students saw me as a baby, a disco star and serious university student.

2.    Quote of the Week – I like to present my students with a quote every week or two to generate discussion about topics we are covering in science class. For example: Biology is the most powerful technology ever created. DNA is software, protein are hardware, cells are factories.

3.    Celebrate Birthdays – Find out the birthdates of each of your students, recognize those days and in some way honor the student on their birthday.

4.    You are Human too – I am more relatable to my students when I brought up something related to my homelife.  For example, talking about my pets or complaining about taking out the garbage.

5.    Music Brings Smiles – I love to see the reaction of my students when I play music, especially older music; my specialty is disco and boy bands.  I find that playing music as the students enter the classroom really lifts the mood for the lesson at hand. I play corny, off beat, in other words what my students call “lame” music. The lamer the better!

6.    Ice Cream Prom – Once each year students come to an after- school ice cream prom in my classroom, they love to dress up, eat ice cream and listen to music.  This has become an anticipated tradition.

7.    Karaoke Contest – Each year students look forward to an annual Karaoke Contest.  Our department chairperson helps to judge; the students really get creative, of course silly prizes are rewarded.

8.    Gadget of the Week – I use a few minutes out of one class each week to have a student bring an interesting and cryptic gadget to school; they show the gadget and students have to guess its function.

9.    Drawing for a Prize on Friday – I give out carnival tickets to my students all week long, for many reasons, for example when a student answers a question, helps another student, hands in homework when they usually do not, improves on test results, when a student seems down and needs a boost.  On Friday I have a drawing and present three prizes. Every student is in the drawing with their accumulated tickets for the week.  The prizes are purchased from a dollar store.  I make sure the prizes will generate fun.  Students love getting action figures, soap bubble kits and plastic jewelry etc.

10.  My Special Lab Coat – Each year one student with strong artistic skills draws something on my lab coat.  After many years I have a beautiful and interesting lab coat that attracts attention (see below)

 Resources:

 Some Videos about what makes a great teacher.

The Teachers we Remember 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmwy6r26vQY

Why I meet my students at the door | Andrew Campbell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofZ5ens1Zgk

Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFnMTHhKdkw

Dear Teacher: Heartfelt Advice for Teachers from Students

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTMLzXzgB_s

What Makes a Good Teacher? - Student Q&A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHapv0Tv7vM

Tyler DeWitt: Hey science teachers -- make it fun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OaIdwUdSxE