What makes a lesson effective?

Interesting that s/he advocates a seating plan; it's something that I've always done simply because it's effective. True that a good lesson plan won't produce well behaved students, but a badly prepared lesson plan will often result in poor classroom behaviour. Good discipline being based on good teacher/student relationships is something that most of the Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT's) I've come across believe: they so want to be a 'popular' teacher. It's a bit of a shock to them when they understand the job is not to win friends, but to educate and assist learning. Ironically, although always regarded as the strictest teacher in the school by children outside my class, I always built excellent relationships with my own students, based on the use of high expectations and good manners. One thing I have noted in recent years with dismay is that some NQT's do NOT model politeness themselves and use sarcasm and humiliation as a means of point scoring with students; then they complain when they're unable to manage classroom discipline. It's one of my few pet hates.

Bit like being a parent really - you have to accept that your role is not that of friend, and sometimes your children will hate you when you do the right thing - but that is your job.

How I do agree with you activist - sarcasm, humiliation etc in relation to teaching and child care are just to do with a power trip and make me feel seriously nauseous.

A very interesting article, much of which I agreed with.

I'm sort of torn about the modern emphasis on education being "entertaining". If "entertaining" means presenting something in an interesting and novel way so that it engages students' attention, then I'm all for it. However, if it means doing entertaining things that have no real educational purpose but are basically used to maintain order, then that's obviously pointless.

I wasn't sure about the "de-emphasizing punishment bit. I wasn't sure what was meant by it. My understanding is that using positive rather than negative reinforcement is more likely to elicit good behaviour.

I think that "consistency" is very important - both in the school and at home (though sometimes difficult to maintain!).

mmm shut up and listen to your Teacher, do you think that is a good attitude to have IF you want your class to be interested and engaged in your lesson.

I was going to say that a good way to Teach is to keep the interest and make things alive, real and interesting. I know my History Teacher was brilliant at keeping us all awake in his class.

I have always had a massive problem with Adults thinking that children should automatically be polite/respectful what ever you wan to call it, towards them, you must earn respect and just because you are a child should not mean you are treated with any less respect.