teacher self-preparation
behind the scene work determines the level of student understanding. quality teaching depends
on what is done by the teacher before stepping into the classroom. preparation is key:
• set the goals in terms of conceptual and process outcomes
• decide what students will do in the classroom to achieve these goals
• decide how to assess whether the goals are achieved, including the roles of both
formative and summative assessments
• maintain a positive outlook and be flexible
• prepare subject material: sequencing and correlating to standards
• prepare lab apparatus and equipment
teacher-student interaction
the primary role of a teacher is to establish a learning environment where all students are able to
learn and are motivated to learn, an environment that is both challenging and supportive:
• establish a learning community consisting of the teacher and the students
• recognize and celebrate diversity in students
• design or select varied instructional strategies to accommodate different learning styles
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• establish and implement a consistent classroom management plan
• listen to student ideas and be prepared to address them
• guide students to view the place of physics in the wider scientific world
• encourage and support students in discovering concepts independently when possible
• maintain appropriate methods of communication with parents to keep them informed of
student progress and attitude and address any issues that may arise
• make sure that student activities are challenging yet doable, and that students can track
their progress
• make sure that students can establish connections between classroom activities and
everyday experiences
• review safety procedures with students
• assess student progress both formatively and summative
community building in the classroom
it is important for students to feel comfortable in the classroom. a good teacher should make
connections with the students:
• be authentic and genuine
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