Teaching Methods for 7-12 There Are Many

Teaching Methods for 7-12

There are many different competencies that must be acquired in order for a student to achieve mastery of the English language. Thus for a teacher to be successful in the classroom I suggest they implement a variety of methods to ensure students are exposed to all aspects of English including: phonology and phonetics, pronunciation, intonation, speech vs. written English, grammar and vocabulary. The best teaching method to ensure that students achieve their maximal potential for success is one that is diverse and multi-tiered in nature, incorporating many different teaching methods to ensure students are exposed as broadly as possible to the material being presented.

Not all students learn in the same manner. Thus the teaching method I propose will incorporate lectures, visual aids, group skills development and kinesthetic activities to encourage students to engage all of their senses while learning.

Many different methods can be used to develop student's ability to analyze and understand information, to attain the highest possible level of competency and to create a collaborative climate. I would approach a classroom from a direct instruction approach which will allow teacher/pupil interaction in the classroom and establishment of a concrete set of goals. This type of teaching method will allow me to model the behaviors and skills I would like my students to learn with regard to the English language. It is a directed approach that is more and more commonly being adopted in schools across the nation, largely because it is an effective and efficient method of learning.

Before one can begin to teach within the classroom effectively, they must first plan out their curriculum and approach to learning. Before the start of the year I intend to review each student's portfolio and prior learning achievements to gain a better understanding of what the current skill levels and competencies are of the students I am to be teaching. From there I will be able to develop classroom specific instructional objectives that are based on student's prior learning and achievements thus far.

Instructional objectives will be developed based on the goals that have been established for students and based upon individual's student skills, abilities and desires.

Direct instruction is one of the best ways to promote constant teacher/pupil interaction while incorporating a variety of teaching methods (Lindsay, 2004). The approach can be used to teach students decoding skills, reading comprehension skills, spelling, pre-reading, writing and reading abilities in a skilled and directed manner (Lindsay, 2004; Direct, 2004). Every subject that will be taught in a manner that allows the student to view the subject with regard to the larger context it is associated with. It encourages small group interaction and encourages students to explore new opportunities.

The curriculum will be organized in a manner that allows students to be instructed ahead of time regarding what they actually need to know in order to understand the concepts the teacher will be demonstrating later in the lesson.

Using this method I can present the classroom with a model of instruction, and then ask the students to complete a task. Students are involved in learning because they are participating in small group activities and modeling the tasks that as a teacher I will be performing with students.

To ensure that the broadest range of teaching methods are utilized technology will be incorporated into the classroom environment on a daily basis. Each lesson will be structured in a manner that entails a traditional lecture, student activity, discussion of the outcomes and computer assignment or activity that encourages students to learn from many different perspectives.

Instructional objectives will be developed and modified regularly depending on the progress the students are making toward achieving mastery of the English language. The instructional goals established at the start of the year might be modified based on student assessment results mid term to ensure that the classroom remains on track and to ensure that no one student is left behind and all students are being provided adequate opportunities to excel in the classroom.

Time and time again researchers have pointed out that students learn in a variety of ways. Simply lecturing to students is not enough to help all students in the classroom understand. Thus teaching methods must incorporate visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning. Students must have the opportunity to hear, listen, view and communicate lessons and ideas presented in the classroom.

In any teaching environment assessment is a critical element of success. Thus students will be assessed regularly to determine how much progress they are making toward achieving their goals and the overall goals of the administration. Assessment can occur in many different forms. Standardized testing is one method of assessment that can be utilized on an annual basis to determine whether or not students are meeting administrative and educational objectives. However less formal assessment is also necessary within the classroom.

Aside from regular classroom 'tests' I propose assessing students level of competency after each task completed in the classroom. It is vital that a student master one skill before moving on to another, this is an essential element of the direct instruction approach. Thus each student will be given a task to complete that tests their knowledge and understanding of each concept taught in the classroom to ensure that learning is ongoing. More formal testing can occur annually to assess students overall achievements during the year.

I propose a diversified classroom teaching approach that will require assessing student skills, abilities and goals at the start of the year, mid year and at the end of the year to ensure that students remain on track. A direct instruction approach will allow the maximal amount of student/pupil interaction in the classroom. In addition I propose use of a variety of teaching methods including lecturing, visual tasks and kinesthetic ones to ensure that students are engaging all off their senses in the classroom to maximize their potential for achievement.