Many novice math magician multiplication teachers and teacher-trainees experience fear of the classroom, uncertainty about their communication abilities and doubts about their ability to establish contact with the classroom and position themselves as teachers. If a young teacher fails to mobilize and gather spirit, even a methodologically correct lesson may be at risk of being disrupted. And teachers’ timidity and hesitation may be interpreted by students as lack of professionalism and competence.
Preparing for the first lesson is necessary from the first day of study in a teacher training college. Psychological preparation is very important, it is necessary to participate in a variety of scientific conferences, where students can observe and work out methods of working with the audience. To cope with the fear of public speaking, it is useful to participate in student amateur activities, KVN, competitions, and even just ask questions to the teacher during the lecture.
Perfect appearance, which naturally begins with the bathroom and hygiene procedures. This point should not be underestimated, because students always assess the appearance of the teacher and are quite critical of the shortcomings. Some inaccuracy, absurd detail can cause the teacher’s nickname and cause ridicule. An optimal suit for a man is a classic business suit with a tie; for a woman, a strict suit with a skirt or pants.
Knowledge of your subject (or, at least, good command of the subject of the lesson). According to research, teachers’ erudition, deep knowledge of their subject for students is more important than their personal characteristics. Students respect teachers who are well versed in their subject matter and prefer strict and demanding teachers who adverb of concession have a wide range of views and who supplement the material in the textbook with interesting facts.
The lesson plan is well thought out and learned. While experienced teachers may limit themselves to general lesson outlines, novice teachers are encouraged to consider all stages of the lesson (including students’ expected answers) and the time allocated to each stage. It is useful to have some additional game exercises on a theme of a lesson in a stock in case the tasks provided in the plan – the outline, will be exhausted long before the end of a lesson.
Good diction. All the previous items will be of little use if the teacher does not know his voice and speaks too quietly, indistinctly, slowly, or quickly. Raising or lowering the volume of speech, pause, emotionality helps to draw attention to the important points of the lesson, awaken the interest of students, create the appropriate mood, establish discipline, etc. Don’t be lazy to rehearse all or some of the points in front of a mirror or a classmate.
So, you’ve cleaned up, repeated the theme of the lesson, read more literature, thought through and prepared an excellent lesson plan, rehearsed everything and stand on the doorstep of the classroom, armed with knowledge, enthusiasm and pointer. What to do next, how to behave, what to pay attention to?
Entrance to class, first impression. This moment is very important, excessive fussiness, rush will not add weight in the eyes of students. Enter with self-esteem, fold the magazine and bag on the teacher’s table and chair and attract the attention of students (clearing the throat, lightly knocking on the table, etc.). With a nod or glance, let students know that they should stand up and greet you. Do not neglect this moment, and take this ceremony as a proper and indispensable sign of respect. What’s more, it sets the working order and helps to establish the necessary subordination.
Acquaintance. If this is your first meeting with the class, introduce yourself (surname, first name and patronymic), write your name and patronymic on the blackboard. To ease the tension, begin by describing your requirements, lesson rules, marker criteria, and organizational aspects. For the first time, to remember your students more quickly, ask them to write their names on the cards (it’s better to prepare them in advance, so that students do not have to tear sheets from notebooks, and you did not have to lose time at this point) and put them in front of you on the desk. Pupils like it when the teacher calls them by their names. You can use your creativity and prepare exercises to “break the ice” and get to know each other better.
Style of work. Do not try to become friends with the pupils at once, many teachers not only prevent them from objectively assessing the knowledge of “best friends”, but also in some cases it can lead to a lesson failure. It is not necessary to liberalize, “flirt” with pupils, to promise awards for good behavior and excellent study: these are the duties of pupils, and the award – a mark. Do not allow familiarity and panic in relations with children.