New Athenian Academy

“The problem is you don’t have the looks down yet,” I said.

“The what?”

“The looks,” I repeated. “Every teacher has a collection of looks.  You have to, or you won’t survive.”

Very true Mr. Done.  We all have the looks and need to master them before really mastering teaching.  The essay lays out five different looks and how he uses them.  Now for my own uses of the “the looks.”  Enjoy and feel free to incorporate them into your own teaching.

The Raised Eyebrow

For when students attempt to text during class.  Really…  I see that hand down there by your side, supposedly doing nothing though I see muscles twitching.  The raised eyebrow usually gets a pause and return to hand on desk.  It helps and does not require interrupting my lecture to perform.

The Chin Up

Used when a student is about to throw a paper ball or bug their neighbor.  A more serious facial expression than the raised eyebrow.

The Chin Down

For when students do not know the answer to a question you jsut asked even though the answer was stated abut 30 seconds before the question was asked.   This is my “how can you seriously not know this” look.  Usually it elicits a frown and embarrassed look from the student.  And then they either attempt to find the answer frantically or try to ask their friends.

The Pursed Lip

For when a student tries to talk back to my directive.  This is the “I want to yell at you for your stupidity, but I’m going to hold my tongue and you know it” look.  If at my desk, the pursed lip is accompanied by the drumming of fingers.  Hopefully said student notices the pursed lip and wisely shuts their mouth.

The Jaw Drop

For when a student does something and I cannot even comprehend why.  Such as throwing some other student’s folder out the door or attempting to put a paper clip in the surge protector or trying to cheat in my classroom.  Usually it takes me a minute to even recover from the jaw drop.  When I do, look out students, something loud will be coming out of my mouth and you’re not going to like it.

Feel free to use the looks in your own classroom.  Use as described or modify to fit your own needs.  Some of us naturally get the looks, others must learn them, but everyone can use them and be effective.

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Uncategorized by Tobe