Classroom Climate

I've come to understand that children learn when three key factors are involved: they are interested in the topic, they aren't distracted by outside influences, and when they are emotionally ready to learn. Making a topic interesting requires that the teacher understand his/her audience (i.e. don't teach particle physics to grade school students unless you have a fun, easy, and watered down way of conveying the information). A good instructor must also be able to use humor without falling into the trap of being corny or offensive. Also, there is an indefinable magic in making the topic come alive so that it is impossible for the students to ignore the point of the lesson. Distractions can come in many forms, including tech gadgets, hormonal drives, and threats of bodily harm, just to name a few, and I believe that a teacher can limit these (never fully) in part by making the lesson interactive among the students and keeping them engaged. For our purposes, the third factor regarding emotional concerns is most important, especially when bullying comes into play. Anyone who's experienced bullying will tell you that after being taunted or punched in the hallway between classes, it is almost impossible to focus (or even care) about the next biology lesson because you're too worried about your physical safety and social acceptance. As Robert Marzano rightly points out (The Art and Science of Teaching, 2007)the students must feel as though the teacher is working with the students, as if s/he is the captain of a team, for the well-being of everyone involved. I believe this requires a keen talent for identifying bullying and addressing it quickly through mediation and counseling.