Purposeful Teaching

Since September Experience, I have been reflecting on the necessity and the possibility for purposeful teaching. It consists of quality instruction that has a specific objective for being used...nothing has been unplanned because the teacher has a Plan B, C, D...even a Plan Z. She/he is flexible within the plan so that no matter what the situation calls for, she/he always has a back-up plan. However, each and everyone of these plans always meets state standards and has a reason for being taught. Sound too perfect? Not in the least. I have seen it done every single day and it is an amazing sight to behold!

The feeling that I get when I am in a classroom in which the teacher is purposefully instructing is one of relief, safety, calmness, and expectation. So, too, do the students seem to be calmer, more relaxed, and expectant of what will come next. To me, this brings a sense of safety to the classroom. There is order, structure, community.  Everything and everyone has a purpose for being there. It's refreshing!

However, I have also observed teachers who do not teach with a purpose, who come unprepared, and who tend to flit about like a hummingbird; whose students have no idea why they are even in the classroom and many times are bored. They see no purpose in being there and the assignments seem like "busy work" or something to "fill-in the gap" between lessons.

I want to teach with purpose. So, that has been one of my personal goals this quarter: to observe purposeful instruction and to learn what it takes to teach with purpose. I feel that both my September and Dyad experiences have afforded me the opportunity to observe both types of instruction and I have been able to differentiate between the two; and, therefore, I feel like I have a good head start on reaching my goal.