touchstones 5-8

"Dozens of scholarly articles have (described) this widely affirmed quality of effective teachers--the ability to set high expectations while simultaneously nurturing student growth."

"Warm demanders: (teachers with) high personal warmth and high active demandingness"

"One of the highest correlates of teacher effectiveness is teacher-student relationships."

​​-Goodwin & Hubbell (2013)
Touchstone Summaries and Evidence-Based Explanations Taken Directly from the Appendix in The 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching: What They Look Like and Why They're Important, Goodwin & Hubbell (2013)

5
I engage student interest with every lesson.

"Teachers hook student interest at the start of lessons and use a variety of techniques to motivate learning throughout lessons and units, including providing choices in learning activities, framing lessons around mysteries or puzzles, and using novelty and variety in the classroom."
​Links to Essential Questions and Learning Activities:
​Description of Bloom's Taxonomy
Essential Question Stems
Active Engagement Strategies
Brain-Based Learning

6 
I interact meaningfully with every student.

"Teachers interact with students, getting to know them and demonstrating interest in them as individuals and as learners.  They also bring a positive personality (or persona) to the classroom, displaying enthusiasm for learning and modeling for students how their particular subject areas can be worthy of lifelong pursuit."
​Links to Resources to Allow for More Interaction:
Khan Academy for "flipping the classroom"
Education Technology Toolkit
Tips for Teacher/Student Interaction

7
i use feedback to encourage effort.

"Teachers provide students with frequent and timely feedback that links to learning objectives.  Teachers also keep feedback non-controlling and growth oriented, helping students see how their efforts are the key to success and giving students opportunities to self- and peer-assess.  Teachers also ensure their feedback is actionable and tailored to individual student needs."
​Links to Resources for Giving Feedback:
​Resources for Developing a Growth-Oriented Mindset
Tips for Providing Meaningful Feedback
Summative vs. Formative Feedback

8
i create an oasis of safety and respect in my classroom.

"Teachers establish clear rules for behavior and consequences for misconduct, ensuring that all students feel safe to learn and contribute to classroom discussions.  Teachers also display "with-it-ness," quickly responding to infractions or concerns as they arise.  Teachers enlist students in creating positive environments, calling out positive behaviors."
​Links to Classroom Management Techniques:
Harry and Rosemary Wong advice
Bullying Prevention
ClassDojo-Connecting Teachers, Students and Parents

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

5.   "Student motivation accounts for more variance in student success than ability.  Studies have found, however, that student interest in core subjects declines as they progress through school.  Providing students with learning choices can boost intrinsic motivation.  In addition, our brains are hardwired to pay attention to novelty, puzzles, and problem solving."
6.   "Research shows that students with weak relationships with teachers are more likely to disengage from school.  Conversely, strong positive links have been found between student performance and teacher-student relationship variables, such as empathy, warmth, non-directivity, and sensitivity to students' social and emotional needs."
7.   "Effective feedback has among the strongest influences on student success of any instructional practice.  Feedback is most effective when it is linked to learning objectives and is non-controlling.  It should also help students develop a growth mindset, seeing intelligence as a malleable trait."
8.   "Many students find their schools to be unwelcoming places.  Until more basic needs of safety and respect are met, students will find it difficult to learn.  The most effective behavior management techniques balance punishments for misconduct with rewards for good behavior and also enlist the entire school community in enforcing clear expectations for behavior throughout the school."
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