There are many different ingredients that I plan to implement into my classroom as a future teacher. I agree with Jacob Kounin that teachers should demonstrate instructional behaviors especially if they expect their students to have good behavior. There are many "theoretical" ingredients that will assist me in creating the classroom environment that I hope to have. One important ingredient would be that of a modeler. A teacher must model for her students and lead by example. Her students will be watching her and following in her footsteps. Teachers have a major influence on their students, and must always be aware of their words and actions because little eyes are always watching.
Another major ingredient that a teacher must include in her teaching strategy is that of teaching for multiple intelligences. A teacher must build relationships with her students and know the best ways of teaching that child as an individual. As a teacher, I must be able to teach in different ways that will meet the needs of all the students in my class as a whole, and also individually. Every child is different and will have a different learning style. Some students learn visually, others are auditory learners, and then others learn by writting. There are many different types of intelligences and teachers must know how to adapt their teaching strategies to engage every student.
There are so many different ingredients that I believe are important to have in my future classroom. I also agree with Lee and Marlene Canter and their idea of using assertive discipline and rewards and punishments. I think teachers should definitely focus on rewarding good behavior when necessary, but at the same time not just ignore bad behavior as well. If a teacher knows her students, she will know what behavior to address and how to address it.
After reading the book, "Educating Esme: Diary of a Teachers' First Year", I learned that there are many different "ingredients" that a teacher should implement. Teachers should demonstrate "ingredients" such as: patience, enthusiasm, flexibility, organization, creativity, encouragement, and communication. Teachers need to know what recipe to use for what class and when to use it. Teachers are like cooks; we have to know what ingredients to add, how much to mix up and when to put them in.
