concept map

 Both articles give components to being an effective teacher. The first article talks about four main components that make up QAIT. These four items are having quality lessons and presentations of those lessons, lessons being at the appropriate level  so that students are engaged, not overwhelmed or bored, incentive to learn, whether it be intrinsic or extrinsic, and having the time to correctly implement all of these things. The time part is the biggest challenge for me. For example, we only have 45 minutes a day allotted for a math program that calls for 90 minutes a day. I fit in parts of it where I can, but I do feel we move too quickly in math. One way I help diffuse this problem is that we are allowed to have an intervention day on Fridays. I use this day to work with students in small groups on those skills that they were struggling with during the week. While I work with them, other students are working on enrichment activities. I really like using this time on Fridays and I feel that students are not left behind because I can give them more individualized attention.

The second article talked about principles of an effective teacher that were very similar. However, this article focused a little more on the atmosphere in the classroom and the emotional well-being of the students. The first article mentioned it because it is needed to get students to learn, but I think the second article really centered on that concept. There are students in my classroom right now with some pretty big stuff going on at home and I am working hard to show them I care while keeping my authority and not let them get away with things. It is a very careful balance. Some days is seems to be working really well! Others, well, can't get it right all the time but I try to focus on the positive and then something else good usually happens.