1

Emilie Vest
ELED 300
Sharon Guynes
October 13, 2015
Module Two Writing Response
In chapters four, five, and six we learn more about what it takes to
become an effective teacher. Chapter four discusses why teachers plan,
what factors influence planning, and how a planning model can help teachers
effectively organize instructional time. Chapter five explains how the
classroom climate can contribute to a positive learning environment, and
how the positive characteristics of a teacher are associated with increased
learning and motivation in the classroom. Finally, chapter six discusses how
student involvement is essential for motivation and learning, and how
teachers can use questioning to increase student involvement. In addition to
all the things we learned in chapters one, two, and three, we continue to
learn what it takes to be an effective teacher.
Planning
Teachers plan because it is an essential element of being an effective
teacher. It can affect the students learning, and give the teacher peace of
mind. As a teacher you will have more confidence in yourself and your
lesson, by planning what and how you are going to teach. Planning will help
teachers clarify their learning objectives, anticipate instructional needs in
advance so that they can gather and organize needed materials, guide

2
teacher interaction with students, and provide security, boost confidence,
and reduce anxiety associated with teaching. Planning is how you
personalize your lessons. A number of things influence the planning process
such as: values and beliefs of teachers, students developmental and
motivational needs, state and district standards, content, teaching context,
materials, resources, and time. To adequately plan teachers must take all of
these criteria into consideration.
Classroom Climate
Classroom climate is the emotional and academic tone in the
classroom. When a teacher creates a positive climate within the classroom it
communicates that the students are valued and they can focus on learning.
If students feel that their teacher cares about them they will be more
engaged. Teachers can communicate they care by: learning students names
quickly, greeting them as they enter room, making eye contact, smiling
using body language to communicate listening, using we and our when
discussing class activities and assignments, spend time with students, and
having positive expectations for all students. In a safe and orderly classroom
where time is maximized, students will be more engaged, and there will be
an increase in achievement. There are several ways teachers can create a
learning focused classroom: model to students the importance of study,
effort, and learning, clearly communicate goals and reasons for these goals,
prevent disruptions, frequently assess students understanding of context,
provide feedback about performance on assessments quickly, and use time

3
wisely. The characteristics of the teacher are important to increase students
learning and motivation. A teachers attitudes and beliefs consist of three
elements: personal teaching efficacy, modeling and enthusiasm, and
expectations. A teachers personal teaching efficacy, which is the belief that
they can have a positive effect on students, these teachers teach differently
which causes a greater impact on students lives. Teachers can strongly
influence students by being a good model. If students see the teacher study
and examine certain ideas, they will model them. When a teacher is
enthusiastic and the students model them there will be an increase in
learning, student confidence, and achievement. All the teacher needs to do
is show enthusiasm about topics that are interesting and meaningful to
them. Effective teachers should have high expectations for all students and
hold them accountable for their own learning. An effective teacher needs to
take all of these points into consideration.
Student Involvement and Questions
For students to learn effectively they need to be actively involved,
because it is very essential for learning. There are three factors teachers
depend on to involve students: clear and precise learning objectives, highquality representations of content, and skilled questioning by teachers. A
teachers most effective tool for involving students is questioning. Asking
questions effectively can help teachers assess students understanding,
increase motivation to learn, and guiding new learning. There are five
essential questioning strategies teachers should use. First, frequency, which

4
is the number of questions asked over a period of time. This actively
involves students and helps them connect ideas. Next is equitable
distribution. This is expecting all students to participate and calling on them
to answer questions no matter their ability. The third is prompting. These
are cues a teacher can give student to help them provide the right answer to
a question they be unable to answer. The fourth strategy is repetition
because repeating questions can help emphasize important ideas and
encourage students to make key connections. The last strategy teachers can
use when questioning is wait time, which is the time the teachers pause to
let students answer questions. When the student is given a longer wait time
the quality of the response increases. Actively involving students in learning
will cause them to be more motivated and help them learn and retain
information, more so then just listening passively to a lecture.
In these three chapters we learn more ways to become an effective
teacher. Teachers must effectively plan their lesson to keep themselves
organized while teaching, and to maintain and project more confidence and a
sense of security. There are a variety of factors that influence planning, but
if teachers use a planning model it will be easier for them to plan more
effectively. Classroom climate is also important for effective teaching. It
helps students feel more comfortable, and increases receptive learning and
motivation. Learning is also increased when the student knows their teacher
cares about them as people, not just their grades. Student involvement is
essential for increasing motivation and learning. The most effective way to

5
involve students is by asking questions and making sure every student has
the opportunity to answer. Being an effective teacher takes a great deal of
work and involves many factors, but it is worth it, so that the teacher is able
to insure that students are academically successful throughout their
educational career.