Kristen Duncan Blog Post #7 Routman Ch. 4-Teaching with a sense of Urgency

Teaching with a sense of urgency is a chapter that stood out to me.  I feel like we as teachers hold all kids to the same standards, and expect them all to achieve the same things; when in reality that is not true.  We as teachers get frustrated with students in our class that we feel are not being “successful”.  The reality of the situation is that just as in Routman’s “list” of a perfect classroom, we as teachers should have a list of things to accomplish.  This does not mean we rush through stacks of information and do work overload, but it means we have a list that we are mindful of that we make sure every time our students are in our classroom we accomplish. Teaching with a sense of urgency is about using every second of instruction wisely, not craming and hoping students understand at least some of it.

 My List would be

1.       Use reading time effectively: conferences, silent reading, not just staring blankly at pages

2.       Keep students engaged by letting them choose books that they enjoy

3.       Have fun

4.       Even if we must move slower, make sure the students understand and comprehend the information-that may mean finding a different way or model to teach some students.

5.       Provide our students with the best education that we can

Like Routman also said, It’s easy to make a list of what we want our students and ourselves to do daily, but if we don’t put it into practice it means nothing.  Whatever your “list” may be make sure you demonstrate it daily and put it into practice.  If students don’t see it demonstrated…they don’t believe it.  Teach with a sense of urgency.  It doesn’t mean drill drill drill, it means teach so your kids comprehend and understand thoroughly.  Teach to be effective, not just teach to "teach"!