Classroom Management part of the Education Reform Network

Understanding Your Students

Teachers are like music conductors guiding the performance of each individual student. Teachers need to understand each student's abilities, personality and background in order to successfully scaffold learning. This area provides articles that address the topics of individual learner needs personalizing instruction, special education, culture and ethnic background, diversity, and gender.

• Boredom and Its Opposite
  Teachers can overcome a resistance to learning by tapping into the personal interests of their students.
• How to Respond When Students Give the Wrong Answer
  Incorrect answers can often provide clues to what students don't understand. The suggestions provided here can help teachers better understand where their students are having difficulty.
• Making Students as Important as Standards
  Not only do educators need to have a clear vision of what they want their students to understand and be able to do, but they also need to focus attention on the individuals in their classrooms. The balance between the two generates a "double alignment.".
• Rapport With and Knowledge of Students
  Students who are happy and successful in school are not likely to disrupt learning for other students. Teachers need to get to know their students as individuals.
• Talk in the Classroom
  Originally published in Instructor magazine (1990) by Brenda Power. This article explores the Initiation-Response-Evaluation trap into which teachers may fall, and examines the role of open-ended questions, rich conversations, and wait time to advamce student learning.