Let's talk practice!

Outstanding educational practice will always be shaped by prolonged exposure to the classroom environment. It is no secret that professionals learn and strengthen their ontological security when directly involved in professional development, which sets and opens the grounds for sharing crucial classroom practices that can be transferred into individual methodologies.

In this section, we will be looking into the practices of other professionals with different years of educational experience, giving you the opportunity to learn some additional strategies which you can adopt and adapt into your teaching.

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Common strategies used in the classroom

Behaviour

Positive Reinforcement:

Explanation:

Positive reinforcement involves rewarding desired behavior to increase the likelihood of its recurrence. It can be in the form of verbal praise, stickers, tokens, or other incentives. By acknowledging and rewarding good behavior, students are motivated to continue behaving appropriately.

Implementation:

Clearly define the desired behaviors and expectations in the classroom.

Use specific praise and rewards immediately after observing the desired behavior.

Maintain consistency in providing positive reinforcement for all students.

Individualize rewards to suit students' preferences and needs.

Gradually decrease the frequency of rewards as the behavior becomes more established.

Classroom Rules and Expectations:

Explanation:

Establishing clear and concise classroom rules and expectations creates a structured environment that helps students understand what is expected of them. When students know the rules, they are more likely to follow them.

Implementation:

Develop a set of 3-5 simple and positively phrased rules.

Communicate these rules to students on the first day of school and reinforce them regularly.

Involve students in the rule-making process to promote ownership and understanding.

Display the rules prominently in the classroom.

Consistently apply consequences when rules are broken and offer reminders of expected behavior

Behavior Contracts:

Explanation:

Behavior contracts are written agreements between the teacher and a student outlining specific behavioral goals, expectations, and consequences. They can be a useful tool for addressing ongoing behavior issues.

Implementation:

Identify the target behavior that needs improvement and set clear, measurable goals.

Collaboratively create a contract with the student, outlining the expectations, rewards, and consequences.

Monitor and track progress regularly, providing feedback and adjusting the contract as necessary.

Ensure both the teacher and student sign the contract to commit to its terms.

Celebrate successes and provide additional support if needed.

Calm Down and De-escalation Strategies:

Explanation:

Teaching students how to manage their emotions and de-escalate in challenging situations is essential for maintaining a positive classroom environment.

Implementation:

Teach students deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or simple relaxation strategies.

Create a designated calm-down area in the classroom where students can go when they need a break.

Encourage students to use "I" statements to express their feelings and needs during conflicts.

Model calm and empathetic behavior as a teacher.

Provide opportunities for conflict resolution and problem-solving.

Consistency and Fairness:

Explanation:

Consistency in applying rules and consequences, along with fairness in treating all students equally, is crucial to building trust and respect in the classroom.

Implementation:

Ensure that rules and consequences are consistently applied to all students, regardless of their background or abilities.

Avoid showing favoritism or bias.

Be transparent and explain the rationale behind rules and consequences.

Listen to students' perspectives and consider their input when making decisions.

Regularly review and adjust classroom management strategies based on their effectiveness.

Differentiation

Flexible Grouping:

Explanation:

Flexible grouping involves organizing students into various groups based on their readiness levels, interests, or learning profiles. It allows teachers to tailor instruction to each group's specific needs.

Implementation:

Assess students' abilities and learning styles to determine appropriate groupings.

Create mixed-ability groups for collaborative learning activities.

Provide differentiated tasks and materials for each group.

Rotate students through different groups periodically to ensure exposure to varied perspectives.

Monitor and adjust groupings as students' needs change over time.

Tiered Assignments:

Explanation:

Tiered assignments involve designing tasks or projects at different levels of complexity, allowing students to choose the level that best suits their abilities and challenges them appropriately.

Implementation:

Identify the learning objectives for the assignment.

Create different tiers or levels of the assignment with varying levels of difficulty.

Communicate the expectations and criteria for each tier.

Allow students to select the tier they feel comfortable with, or that challenges them appropriately.

Provide support and guidance for students as they work on their chosen tier.

Choice Boards:

Explanation:

Choice boards offer students a menu of learning activities or tasks related to a particular topic or concept. Students select activities that align with their interests and learning styles.

Implementation:

Design a choice board with various activities that address the learning objectives.

Include activities that cater to different intelligences and modalities.

Allow students to choose a certain number of activities within a given timeframe.

Provide clear guidelines and expectations for completing the chosen activities.

Encourage students to reflect on their choices and the learning process.

Scaffolding and Differentiated Instruction:

Explanation:

Scaffolding involves providing varying levels of support to students as they tackle a challenging task. Differentiated instruction adapts teaching methods and materials to meet individual student needs.

Implementation:

Start with a clear understanding of each student's strengths and weaknesses.

Offer targeted support, such as additional resources or simplified instructions, to students who require it.

Gradually reduce support as students gain confidence and competence.

Provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning in multiple ways (e.g., written, verbal, visual).

Regularly assess student progress and adjust the level of scaffolding or instruction accordingly.

Formative Assessment and Feedback:

Explanation:

Formative assessment involves gathering ongoing data about student learning to inform instructional decisions. Providing timely, specific feedback tailored to each student's needs is a crucial component.

Implementation:

Use various formative assessment tools, such as quizzes, observations, or exit tickets, to gauge student understanding.

Analyze assessment data to identify areas where individual students need additional support or challenge.

Provide constructive feedback that highlights strengths and suggests areas for improvement.

Offer opportunities for students to reflect on their learning and set goals.

Use feedback to adjust instruction and differentiate subsequent lessons.

Lesson Planning

Writing effective lesson plans is crucial for successful teaching. Here are 20 tips to help you create well-structured and engaging lesson plans:

Set Clear Objectives: Start with clear, measurable learning objectives that define what students should know or be able to do by the end of the lesson.

Consider the Audience: Tailor your lesson plan to the age, grade level, and abilities of your students.

Use a Consistent Format: Develop a standardized format for your lesson plans to make them easy to follow and review.

Begin with a Hook:

Capture students' attention at the beginning of the lesson with an engaging hook or introduction.

Prioritize Essential Content: Focus on the most important content and skills that align with curriculum standards and learning goals.

Incorporate Active Learning: Include activities that encourage student participation, such as discussions, group work, or hands-on activities.

Differentiate Instruction:

Adapt your lesson to accommodate diverse learning styles, abilities, and needs of your students.

Use Visuals: Include visuals like diagrams, charts, or slides to enhance understanding and engagement.

Provide Clear Instructions:

Be explicit in your instructions for activities, assignments, and assessments.

Assessment Strategies: Plan formative and summative assessments to gauge student understanding throughout the lesson and at the end.

Include Closure: Conclude the lesson with a summary and reflection on key points to reinforce learning.

Time Management: Allocate appropriate time for each lesson component to ensure you can cover all planned material.

Anticipate Challenges: Identify potential difficulties students might encounter and plan how to address them.

Incorporate Technology: Integrate technology where relevant to enhance learning and engagement.

Scaffold Learning: Build on prior knowledge and gradually increase the complexity of tasks to scaffold student learning.

Connect to Real-Life Applications: Show how the lesson content relates to the real world to make it more relevant and meaningful.

Collaboration: Encourage collaboration among students, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Provide Resources: List the materials, resources, and references needed for the lesson.

Reflect and Revise: After teaching the lesson, reflect on what worked and what didn't, and make revisions for future use.

Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust your lesson plan in response to unexpected events or student needs.

Inclusion

Inclusive teaching practices are essential to support students with diverse needs and abilities. Here are five tips for writing effective lesson plans for inclusion students:

Differentiated Instruction: Plan activities and assignments that can be adapted to meet the specific needs of diverse learners. This may include providing alternative materials or varying the level of difficulty.

Clear Communication: Use clear and simple language, instructions, and visuals to ensure that all students can understand and follow along.

Universal Design: Design your lesson with accessibility in mind, considering the needs of students with disabilities. Ensure that your materials and activities are accessible to everyone.

Collaboration and Peer Support: Encourage peer support and collaboration among students. Pairing inclusion students with their peers can provide valuable assistance and foster a sense of community.

Individualized Support: If necessary, work closely with support staff, special education teachers, or specialists to develop and implement individualized plans for inclusion students. Tailor your lesson plans to accommodate their specific needs and goals.

Inclusion requires adapting your teaching methods and materials to create an equitable learning environment for all students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.