Ones facial expressions can be extremely vocal to the point where it can set the tone for an entire lesson. Our students often take the temperature of the mood in the classroom by examining the teachers face. I remember past comments. “He’s on one today” or “He’s switched again” despite not having said a single word to the students. Their comments were in relation to how I looked when they entered the classroom. I am not preaching that all teachers should join the trend of meeting and greeting with special handshakes or a dance. This does happen in the school I teach but it’s the teachers choice:
Courtesy of Miss Carley
What I appreciate about such a strategy is that the child often feels welcome and safe on arrival. What I recognised about my own facial expressions regardless of intent is that the it has the power to project both a welcoming and unwelcoming atmosphere.
While delivering teacher training seminars I have heard back from teachers that they are not the smiling type. Strange that some teachers dismiss smiling because it is apparently unnatural to them. Since when was waiting 10 seconds for an answer to a question or using multiple choice questions to determine the thinking of students natural? They are pedagogical approaches along with the simple act of smiling. The fact a smile has the power to disarm, the power to promote a safe environment, the power to be contagious, and the ability to help set a positive tone for a lesson should make it one of our daily habits.
In the words of REM: Throw your love around, love me, love me Take it into town, happy, happy
The Ted talk below is also worth a look:
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