ABSTRACT
Vital to pupils' developing confidence are that teachers care for and about the pupils; convey consistent, constructive messages; monitor how well the guidance is received; look for positive outcomes, while being prepared to intervene when things go wrong; offer pupils strategies for dealing with uncertainty and error; match the styles of teachers' questioning to specific purposes; balance instruction with facilitating pupils' self-directed activities in all areas of their learning; and capitalise on what pupils know, for example, about computing. This chapter explores how teachers can develop the knowledge, skills and qualities that stand them in good stead as a teacher. Teachers strategies and behaviours reflect how well they care about and for their pupils. It helps not to take for granted how significant it is that you care specifically about their learning. Their aim can be to keep to a minimum the times when pupils are passive. Giving lessons a good rhythm helps teachers do this.
