Working in my PDS has completely opened my eyes to the world of teaching. Before this, the only time I had spent in a classroom was either shadowing or writing down lecture notes in high school. This experience has allowed me a chance to actually engage with students, see how a teacher prepares a lesson, and acquire valuable skills that will benefit me throughout my career. One very important thing I've learned from this whole experience is the importance of always maintaining a positive atmosphere in the classroom. My PDS teacher always managed to keep things fun and entertaining for the students, and the advantages showed in the students' work. During my first tutor activity, I decided to learn some of the students' names as I taught the lesson. Every time I called on a student, I would have them tell me their name. This was a simple thing, yet the students showed enthusiasm when called to the board because they got a chance to express themselves a little bit (or maybe I'm just being vain.....). Anywho, I found that this principle is one to always keep in mind when instructing a classroom. I understand that the classroom should first come as a place of education and learning, but I don't believe that there is anything wrong with having a little fun along the way.
Brittany, what experiences have you had that showed the effectiveness of a positive classroom atmosphere? Have you ever had a teacher that seemed to have trouble with this?
--Mike
