On The Fly

Half-Dome Yosemite National Park Let’s fess up. Being on stage and expounding your pearls of wisdom is one of the many reasons many pursue the profession of teaching. However, please turn this thought over and over in your mind. “Be the guide on the side, not the sage on the stage.” Let it slow cook like a chicken on a rotisserie. This tip from Sharon Bowman, M.A. may be a little hard to swallow. You might be saying, “Wait a minute, that’s the very reason I come to work every day. It’s my ego boost. It’s my calling.” For one moment, let’s challenge that philosophy. Successful educators serve as the manager, trainer, leader, coach, the applause comes from within. You're the vehicle to help students expand their knowledge and skill. This can — and will — have a dramatic impact in their lives, if they remember and apply it. Your job is to direct their journey, maintain focus, make it a positive and successful experience. Instill the desire to want to learn more. ...

Let’s face it. You’re the expert in your field. You know your subject matter inside out. Whether you’ve taught for a number of years or just beginning, how many times will you present the same material? Many of you could present the information in your sleep and sometimes probably feel like you do. How did you become the master of your subject? By teaching it to someone else, over and over again, of course. If you want your students to master what they’ve learned from you, they need to do the same. Let them practice teaching it to someone else. Sharon Bowman, M.A. has a terrific tip you might like to try: Terrific Teachers Have your students pick a partner and ask them to teach the other person one skill they just learned. One person explains the skill and demonstrates it, and has the other partner practice it. Then they reverse roles and repeat the process with another skill. Give it a try. Start a lab session or break up a lengthy lab session after a break with ...

Grade School Smithfield, Illinois You’ve just finished one of your best presentations yet and you triumphantly close with, “Are there any questions?” What’s the usual response? That’s what I thought — nothing. You’re looking at blank faces and vacant stares! Questions are your best teaching tool. Timely questions from your audience can “turn the light on” for a struggling student. So you say, “No questions? OK, let’s move on to the next subject.” You know this question is a sure way to silence a group, is this your intention? If not, try the following: Say to the group, “You have 30 seconds to turn to your neighbor and tell that person one question you still have about what you just learned.” Wait 30 seconds then say, “Would one or two of you share with the whole group the question your partner asked?” Or give it a twist: Instead of having your students come up with questions, write a question for all to see about what you just presented and have them pair up and...