Here’s One Way!
Read the Teaching with a Feather story to your class.
https://teachingfeather.com/about/teaching-with-a-feather-story/
The story will generate an air of interest and curiosity. Inform the students that you have decided to take on board the Dare to Be Different message and will be using new strategies in the classroom throughout the year.
Explain why you are going to ‘Dare to be Different’ and use new ideas.
I want to develop your independent thinking, your problem solving skills and your ability to make decisions that will contribute to you being the best learners you can be and I can grow my skills as a teacher.
It’s great when you have students on board with you. They will understand why you are introducing new ideas and will support you and each other.
Which strategies should I try first?
The Classroom Environment strategies are a great way to start but any strategy can be used. Some you will use everyday, others as required.
Optimal Learning Spots, Questions for Questions, and ‘I am’, make great starting points, especially after reading the Feather Story.
Having a ‘Dare to be Different; poster to show the students is a great visual prompt. The Cow and Dolphin poster on the website will get everyone thinking!
https://teachingfeather.com/resources/posters/
Google ‘dare to be different’ images, there’s plenty to choose from.
Using a quote is another way to prompt thinking to try new ideas, to do things differently.
Try one of these.
If a window of opportunity opens don’t pull down the blind.
‘The best way to predict your future is to create it’.
Now what?
Changing what you do in your classroom is a challenge that requires energy, time and retraining your thought processes. You need to be prepared to evaluate current practises and decide which ones you are prepared to change, give up and ‘leave behind’ and which new ones you want to embed into your day to day classroom environment.
It’s important to consider why you want to make changes, when you will start and how you will start.
It will take energy, effort and remembering skills. Persist until the strategy becomes a natural part of your day to day teaching. The TWAF strategies and ideas can quickly become established in your classroom and will make a positive difference to you and your students.
Here is a selection of Teaching with a Feather combination packages you may like to use. The TWAF combinations provide opportunities for you and your students to think and respond differently to everyday organisation and management in the classroom.
All of the packages below are suggestions only.
You can compile your own set of TWAF strategies. There are many more available and more to be added to the website in the future. Follow this link to locate the strategies.
https://teachingfeather.com/resources/strategies/
Teaching with a Feather Combination Package 1.
Select a Teaching with a Feather Combination today.
Questions for Questions – Used every day by the teacher
I am … – Used all day every day by students.
Optimal Learning Spots (OLS) – Seating options used every day by students.
Kind Necessary Helpful (KNH) – Use when there is a behavioural issue.
Out the Door Assessment – Use at the end of a session.
‘It could be you!’ – Use during sharing, discussion and question time.
Teaching with a Feather Combination Package 2.
Questions for Questions – Ask rather than tell, use every day (teacher).
Optimal Learning Spots – Seating options used all day every day by students.
Explain your Behaviour – Use for behavioural issues e.g. calling out and interrupting.
Ripple Effect – Use during sharing and discussion time.
Pack Up Sign – Use at the end of a session.
Jump Up and Tell Me – Use at sharing time.
Teaching with a Feather Combination Package 3.
Questions for Questions – Ask rather than tell, use every day (teacher).
Learning and Life Tips – Use every day as an alternative to class rules.
Optimal Work Environments – Create a new environment in your classroom (this takes at least an hour to implement but well worth the time and effort).
Work time – Quiet Time – Use everyday as required.
Tips:
- Select a TWAF combination.
- Read through each strategy.
- Start with one idea.
- Put up a sign in your classroom to remind yourself of the new idea you are using.
- Get your students on board to work with you to introduce and embed the ideas into the classroom. Every classroom has students who thrive on helping and reminding.
- Review at the end of the day with a quick PMI – Plus Minus Ideas
- Continue to use the idea until it becomes natural and embedded in your day- to- day teaching and management practices.
- Select and start to use a second idea.
So ‘Dare to be Different’ and have fun as you start a Teaching with a Feather journey with your students.
