In the classroom I visit my teacher tends to a variety of students who have different linguistic, ethnic, and sociocultural characteristics. She uses different techniques that she incorporates in her teaching to accommodate those students that do not share similar traits. At the beginning of each class the rules or "codes" are stated and continue to be read if they are broken. For memorization of all the students the teacher uses part of the word, if they are able to finish the sentence of that rule they receive a ticket. This ticket is used to receive prizes and cookies if the class continues to do well. I see every time I'm there the students strive for tickets for acknowledgment of the teacher and the other students when they carry one. This class is very social and shows their emotions of frustration and excitement on their sleeve helping the teacher notice any students who may need help or just a "Great Job!". This particular teacher makes sure each student realizes the codes of the classroom; if something is being done wrong she stops and looks at the rules located at the front board. Another way this teacher uses techniques is by putting the student on the spot. When learning for example spelling the teach has all the students repeat the word as well as spelling it aloud. She then goes back and randomly picks students to do the same, only they do it by themselves. She makes sure that each student understands before moving along. One example is when the students are ready a story aloud. Each sentence they read with a simple error she stops them and has the student read that sentence over again until they have mastered it. I feel to an extent that these are effective methods in making sure each student is comfortable with what they are learning. Although this does embarrass some students, this teacher embraces their errors letting them know that "This is what learning is all about, you mess up but slowly you will get it". Within time each student seems to acknowledge and understand what they had trouble with. These teaching methods help students with different linguistic, ethnic, and sociocultural characteristics because she is so direct with them. They are informed from day one to the last day the rules of the classroom and how to master situation they go through when learning is hard.
Hi Alysa,
ReplyDeleteMany, many teachers use rewards for motivation/classroom management. For a different perspective on rewards, see Alfie Kohn's work. He wrote a compelling argument against such practices in his book Punished by Rewards. In brief, he argues that such rewards work--they motivate students to earn rewards but not to pursue learning.
It's worth looking into,
Dr. August