Monday, April 6, 2009
Chapter 11
Selecting instructional strategies is one of the final steps in planning for instruction. As teachers we derive our instructional strategies from a wide array of sources, such as the subject matter, the pupil, the community, and other teachers. What is your favorite instructional strategy that you have developed in your years of teaching, and what relevant factors led to the development of this strategy?
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One of my favorite teaching methods is the use of "workshop". I like bein able to explain, model and release those to work that can do it and then work intensely with those that need more help. I also like to have kids turn to their neighbor and tell them what they learned from a lesson....if they can say it in their own words, then they were able to gain something from the lesson.
ReplyDeleteUsing technology is an instructional strategy I implement on a daily basis. Our students are so tech-savy today so it is very important that we present the material in other ways besides lecture and note-taking. Streaming videos are awesome, PowerPoint presentations with pictures help make the lesson personal and interactive, then on-line activities are "fun" ways to reinforce the subject matter.
ReplyDeleteBeing a physical education and health teacher, my opportunities to use different strategies in the classroom are less than the normal classroom teacher. I also like to use technology when possible in the classroom. I find that the students stay focused better when the delivery is in a different format than just the normal lecture. At times, there is no alternative than lecture but given the opportunities, I use the computer and a projector to deliver the material needed for class. Most of my teaching methods have come from "me" through trial and error over the past 19 years. I really enjoy using technology in the classroom and believe that the students enjoy that method as well.
ReplyDeleteRandy Sturgill
I implement cooperative learning into my classroom on a daily basis. When I began teaching fourth grade, I requested tables as opposed to desks. This was a great choice for me! The table fad has been adopted by several classrooms throughout the school now. The move to tables has made cooperative learning activities very easy, and the students love the seating arrangements.
ReplyDeleteAs a special education teacher, I use differentiated learning on a constant basis, and I absolutely love it! I get to reach each student at their level, and watch them progress without always seeing competition. It can be very rewarding!!
ReplyDeleteI am a guidance counselor so my favorite and most effective instructional strategy is role playing. I can lecture about subject matter or read scenarios, but students do not fully understand until they are acting the situation out and feel the same feelings and are faced with same decisions surrounding the subject matter being roleplayed.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have tables in my room like Ashley mention above. Instead of tables, I have my students desks arranged in groups of 4. I have had my classroom set up like this since we returned from Christmas and have seen awesome results in my students ability to collaborate and work together. It's also a great way to have less "down" time. I also you technology every day in my classroom. Students are very aware of the technology and love when we try new things with the SmartBoard or Elmo.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my classroom is set up like this now, it was hard to transfer over from a typical classroom with rows of desks. I'm so happy I did, the kids really love it and I do too.
Jennifer Collins
I also use technololgy as an istructional strategy in my classroom. The use of a Smart Board, United Streaming vidoes helps reach all types of learners in my classroom. I have recently taken a Smart Board class in which I learned to take the SOL released test and adapt it into my lesson plans using the Smart Board. With this strategy, my students are able to play games, design time lines, etc. which I hope will make them successful on the upcoming SOL!
ReplyDeleteKimberly Ringstaff
My and my students favorite instructional strategy in our classroom are the workstations. During reading we have twenty minutes for workstations. Students go to the management board to see which station they go to that day. The workstations include dramatic play, listening, big books, Versa Tiles, sight word poetry, computers, phonics, library, and teacher. This gives me time to work with the groups of children on certain skills they are needing extra practice in, and to read to me. This is their favorite part of the day.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Yarber
I try to include technology with cooperative learning. When he have our projects due the students must use some form of technology to present their group projects. The students are excited to use the equipment in front of their classmates and everyone is the class seems more interested.
ReplyDeleteGabe Long
I am partial to student inquiry/discovery as a strategy. In virtually any instructional area, I guide students to examine how different topics carry over from one subject to others, such as geometry to biology, or literature to history or perhaps government. This worked especially well for me, as I taught all subjects to my students. I felt it important for them to explore and understand the connections in what they were learning.
ReplyDeleteI too like using technology as part of my instructional stategies. I use powerpoint quite often so that students have both audio and video as they learn new Spanish words. I also use DVD and videos in Spanish and powerpoint games. I feel the more student interest I can appeal to, the more the students will connect to the learning. I also use portaportal and online games and self-check assessments for extra credit. Parents can also be more involved with the online practice.
ReplyDeleteSarah Taylor
I like sharing ideas with other teachers. This allows a group to give ideas that have been successful and also those that may not have worked so well. I also use technology in the classroom with the use of powerpoints and united streaming vidoes to reinforce the current subject matter. I also used technology in math with the use of computer games to reinforce specific math concepts.
ReplyDeletePaul Love
Two instructional activities I use with students are "Give One/Take One" and Gallery Walk.
ReplyDeleteShare One/Give One: Students have a 2 column chart. In the 1st column they list all the things they have learned at the end of a lesson or unit. Then, they go around to their peers and share one thing they learned and take one thing new from the other student's chart. This enhances students in many areas such as cognitive and social skills. Plus, it gives them a chance to get up and move around.
Gallery Walk: I place posters around the room with certain topics or questions. Each group rotates poster to poster to respond the topic or question. Sometimes we do this at the beginning of the lesson or unit and then return to update at the end (Kind of like KWL.)
Sherry Greer
I try to use cooperative learning groups as often as possible in my classroom. This gives students an opportunity to rely one each other to discover the content being presented. Early in my career I relied mainly on lecture, however soon realized that many students were not engaged and have since tried to incorporate many different strategies into my classroom.
ReplyDeleteI, too, enjoy cooperative learning activities. This allows students to use their talents and skills in an effective manner. Lecture is probably my least favorite instructional strategy. Luckily, that is not used very often in first and second grade. We use the "I do", "we do" "you do" mindset.
ReplyDeleteAngie Blevins
I think in order to be truly effective you have to somehow find a way to master them all. I have found in my experience teaching that I am much more engaging when I derive my instruction from the students and relate the material to thier interests.
ReplyDelete