Fires 1: Knowing Students Well

Fires 1: Knowing Students Well

            This chapter was about the importance of teachers getting to know students better.  The students suggested that a good way for teachers to do this is to have students fill out a questionnaire about themselves on the first day of class.  They also suggested the teacher do this as well, and give it to the class.

            I feel this is a great idea.  I agree that having a teacher getting to know their students’ interests and personalities would benefit their efforts to teach the class.  If the teacher knows many of the students are into sports or outdoor / environmental interests, they could use examples or frame discussions that bring in aspects of those interests.  This would draw the students in and hold their attention.  More importantly, this shows students that the teacher sees them as people and wants to get to know them better, presumably because they care.  This also helps them to identify factors that might affect the students’ ability to participate and benefit from the class instruction.  For example, they might be learning English, or be from a different culture, or have a particular situation at home that is important to know or be sensitive about.  Also, there may be something of interest the teacher could use to their advantage, such as if a student mentions they have relatives in Peru and the teacher is doing a unit on South America.  I would definitely do this in my classes, because I believe knowing students’ interests and backgrounds is important to help a teacher shape their lessons and how they handle a class.