Something that can be quite challenging for teachers is:

The POWER Zone

Even though we hear that “teaching from the Power Zone” is best for students, it can be intimidating for some.

I know firsthand, that when we were young there was no such thing as the official “Power Zone.” Teachers just taught from the front of the classroom, and our desks….most of the time….were in rows facing the front of the room.

HOWEVER

The Power Zone today is much different.

Classrooms are packed full of students these days. Students with IEPs, behavior plans, 504s, accommodations, etc. Some of which cause for the student to have “preferential seating” , “frequent reminders to stay on task”, “extra time”, etc. If a teacher is in the POWER ZONE during instruction, these things happen naturally,

The students are more engaged when you are in the POWER zone.

You will rarely find a student sleeping, doing something inappropriate, etc. if you are in the Power Zone and observant of ALL the things in your classroom.

By getting on THEIR level, ON THE GROUND (Yes, you can even do this in a dress…see the picture below) , UP and dancing with them. Creating circle time where YOU are sitting in the circle as well.

All of these things listed make the student feel:

That you are relatable. You can get on their level and don’t have to be up in the front away from them.
More apt to ask questions when they don’t understand. (Sometimes small groups don’t have to be at your reading/small group table. Get ON THE GROUND with them, be relatable.) I promise, it does a world of difference.
Feel as though they are getting one-on-one time, when in fact…it’s 22:1 time!
And MUCH, MUCH, more!

So, with all of this being said.

It’s not just in the books to look pretty.

The POWER ZONE is something that is a positive for ALL involved.

The teacher has more of a handle/understanding what is going on in the classroom, and the students feel that extra attention that some of them REALLY NEED.