WHAT we say is as critical as HOW we say it. Which of the following six elements of rapport do we think are most critical in regards to establishing a positive impression and rapport with students? And WHY are these elements so critical?
1. Posture
2. Gesture
3. Tonality/ Voice level
4. Language
5. Breathing
6. Eye Contact
Is there anything missing? Why do you see it as critical as well?
We can build rapport with our students by:
ReplyDelete• Learning to call our students by their name.
• Arrive to class early
• Stay late
• Chat with your students.
• Post and keep office hours.
• Offer e-mail to students and parents to increase accessibility.
• Reward student that comment and ask questions (verbal praise)
• Be enthusiastic when teaching and passionate.
• Be humble
• Make eye contact with each student
• Be respectful.
• Smile :)
In the library, I utilize gesture a lot for such a large space because I am often pointing to book sections, giving tours, and handling long lines of patrons. Gesture is important to coincide with verbal directions but can also stand alone at times. I think giving gestures also helps English Language learners to grasp new words and phrases. In addition, gestures build rapport with students because they make us a little more animated, clear, and dynamic when we speak, which students can connect with better.
ReplyDeleteGestures is the #1 factor/thing that we speak in conducting classes! Our gestures give meaning/bring to life little nuances.
DeleteI think tonality and language are equally important when talking with students. I try to keep a standard for speaking with students AND adults in the classroom. I use language that is clear and concise, and keep conversations with adults (that occur during class-time), in language that the students can understand.. so they know that I am still dedicating my time and attention to them.
ReplyDeleteI find that by respecting students and using student friendly language, they will respond more quickly and willingly than yelling or belittling. Students this age think that they are adults, therefore by treating them like young adults, consistently, I find positive results and relationships grow.
Posture is everything. The way we carry ourselves says a lot about who we are. The way we carry ourselves is the first impression we give. We can come off as caring, respectful, thoughtful, etc all at once with good posture!
ReplyDeleteTonality, gesture, and language are critical in the class. Any gesture I take for granted from me has always cause me headaches. Students misinterpret them and think that I am out to get them. The tone of my voice I learned my students interpret it as a form of respect I have for them. Keeping a professional language is essential to model how a safe environment should be.
ReplyDeleteI think all the items are important when building rapport. But self esteem along with preparation make a combination for success. Kids can read you, and they have been mastering this since pre-school. So, to show that you are confident, prepared, and can take a setback with stride can make a world of a difference with our class outcomes.
ReplyDeleteI believe to build rapport with our students we need to form the connections that we are all humans who have personalities and humor. I like to tell stories about perseverance and will power. I like sharing with the students anecdotes to help them connect with each other. Its critical in building rapport because it lowers the students anxieties and encourages their willingness to learn new concepts.
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ReplyDeleteI think tonality/voice levels are crucial in building rapport with students, especially with the challenging students. I understand that when we get frustrated, we might be tempted to raise our voice levels and our tones might reflect that frustration. However, to maintain a positive learning environment, it is crucial for us to remain our composure to show our kids that we care about them, and it is alright for them to struggle. Additionally, some students are looking for attention, and may be used to the negative type of attention. However, I have discovered that raising ones voice does not help the situation, but in fact just creates a divide between you and the student. Just like when children start yelling at each other when they are mad, raising your voice with them will just lead to the same results. It is more helpful to show our students an example of calm, respectful interactions.
ReplyDeleteOn the same thread, it is also important to phrase our messages in a positive note. Focusing on the negative or constant chastising ruins the positive rapport in the classroom.
Judilla
DeleteWell being that I am very tall and overall awkward, I really play that to my advantage and try to be exciting in my gestures when I teach. I make sure to make eye contact with all my students and address them by name when looking at them when I teaching or guiding an activity. I feel that eye contact and gesturing really helps students feel apart of the learning community in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked the expression,"Motion creates emotion." As implied, the more you move around as you speak, allows your energy to be transferred into the message that you're trying to convey.
ReplyDeleteI like this, it is what I was trying to convey with my gestures with students and active listening.
DeleteLanguage is an important one for me, and I've seen how common language used by staff has an impact on our students. When they see familiar language or phrases being used, it works in better unison. The opposite effect is that our sense of community can be fragmented. For example as I was quieting down students and I responded to some saying "Shut up," I indicated how we can shift our lanugage in the slightest ways to be better with each other. When I said that I don't use "shut up" with my students, some responded that other teachers use it, which at the time I felt didn't support my own attemps at building and developing my own community culture.
ReplyDeleteStrong and true statement. Phrases like "shut up" will turn an individual against listening to you. Thanks for sharing that.
DeleteI think I am the most conscience about my tone of voice and gestures. My tone when I direct instructions its almost always firm to create a fair atmosphere where all students are expected to work. My tone and gestures are nurturing when I am checking on teams and especially when helping one student. My gestures overall can be animated so I portray to students when I am processing and when ever they are the ones speaking so I can assured them I am actively listening to them.
ReplyDeleteI believe these are great elements when creating student rapport because it aliviates extreme behavior thruought the year.
ReplyDeleteI find that language, along with tonality and voice level, play a key role in establishing a positive impression and rapport with students in my classroom. Through language we can instill an environment that promotes honesty and respect. Through clear and precise language we can establish boundaries and expectations. For students to truly hear and understand us, the tone and voice level is key. I find that students (generally) completely tune out when being yelled at. A much more effective approach is to lower your volume level, and speak in a clear and controlled way,
ReplyDeleteAll of these are important to build rapport with our students. Of these, I would say tone/voice level are very important when building a rapport with our students. Our tone needs to come from a place of respect. At this age, students are maturing and becoming young adults, so we need to treat them as such, as well as model how to be adults. Therefore, we need to have a level tone that is not condescending nor angry. If somebody asks you to do something, who would you more likely listen to... somebody who asks in a polite or angry tone?
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Stay positive and observe your peers to learn about their best practices and inviting interactions with students. Fill all the tables and have students seated to the front-avoid having students alone so they can build friendships. Do our ELD students have a bilingual partner? Are ELD distributed throughout the tables. Provide jobs for your challenging students and make them into classroom leaders.
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ReplyDeleteEach of those elements are very necessary when communicating with students. The two that are high on my list are eye contact and tonality. Eye contact becomes a large part of communication because this gesture allows me to verify and validate the importance of the student. It reinforces that, at that moment, they are the most important thing on my mind. Tonality also links to the idea that I am thinking of the person while I am with them. Tonality forces you to think of "how" you are coming across. I can say something with the wrong tone and it can come across the wrong way.
ReplyDeleteBody language and eye contact are crucial elements of rapport. Sometimes our body language can speak louder than our words. It's an essential element in how we come across and works alongside with our teaching.
ReplyDeleteEye contact is so important because it acknowledges every student and makes him/her feel accounted for. I not only pay close attention to my body language and eye contact when teaching, I also teach the importance of both elements when students students have to deliver a presentation or speak in public. After a presentation, the classmates give feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their presentation, which allows them to realize the importance of proper body language and eye contact.
Good idea Mr. Liebana to have students reflect on their own presentation skills around body language and eye contact as well as evaluate others.
DeleteI believe eye contact and posture are crucial. The way we carry ourselves and look at them lets the students know that they are important to us. It lets them know who we are. We need to give the impression that we care and we want them to do their best.
ReplyDeleteI believe that tonality, language, and eye contact are some of the most critical elements in establishing a positive impression and rapport with students. I keep the same tone with students as I do with everyone else, that way they understand that i don't undermine them and treat them equally. I try and also use language that students can always understand and is respectful. I also integrate higher vocabulary because i want them to ask, know, and use those words at some point if they can. I think language is important because if they feel respected, then they will respect you back. I also feel that eye contact is important when building relationship with our students. It is important because when you look at them students understand and acknowledge that you are paying attention to them, to what they do, and to what they say.
ReplyDeleteI think my posture and eye contact are important. Students know that we care and respect them by the way carry on the conversation and the way we look at them. By carefully listening to what they have to say, students will want to share more. I remember one of my high school teachers would always look at his grading book while talking to his student. I never felt comfortable asking him any question.
ReplyDeleteAll six elements are important, but I think tonality matters most. "Anyone? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller." Seriously, I know I need to be more aware of this and work on it. Next, I think knowing students names matters a lot. I always start the year with name cards, and I try to pass them out myself. Finally, language: keep it positive and polite.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Ha! Don't think our students get that joke anymore
DeleteNames! That is critical. Name cards is another good idea as the year begins.
DeleteI'm big on tonality. Sometimes I change my speech patterns based on who I'm speaking to. 8th grade boys respond differently than 6th grade girls to your tone of voice. I change my tone and mannerisms based on who I'm talking to
ReplyDeleteI think all of the elements of rapport are important, but in my opinion the critical ones are eye contact, tonality and language. It has been said that the eyes are the windows of the soul, and students can gage pretty quickly the sincerity and willingness of a teacher to help them by proper eye contact. Eye contact facilitates connection and relationship. Also, tone and what you say is so very significant and can impact students greatly.
ReplyDeleteI think that all of these are very important to keep in mind while teaching and interacting with all of our students inside and outside of the classroom. I think tonality, posture and eye contact can be the most critical. It is important that we keep in mind how we are speaking to the students and using tone. Using the proper tone when asking questions, facilitating dialogues and talking with the students can help us in our teaching. This can really shape our interactions with them and how we are able to spark engagement. Secondly, I think posture can play a big role as well. We need to look ready to engage as teachers and model that for our students. Thirdly, is eye contact. We often do not acknowledge each other with eye contact. This can be an importance thing to practice and can make people feel acknowledged and appreciated.
ReplyDelete-Respect
ReplyDelete-Eye contact
-Work the floor
-Professionalism
-Polite
-Be nice yet firm
-All students have a voice
-Equality
-Tone of voice
I think that staying true to our personality and connecting with each student and remembering that we change our language, tone and posturing based on each child. We also need to be mindful of assumptions we have about our classes and getting to know them to better serve them effectively.
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