Instructional Strategies

Selecting and implementing the appropriate instructional strategy may be challenging for a beginning teacher; however, it is an integral part of a meaningful lesson. In order for students to learn, they must be motivated, challenged, and given opportunities to apply their new knowledge. When deciding how to teach a particular lesson, consider the goal and objectives. The overall goal and objectives guide the instructional strategy. There are generally eight formal types of instruction including reciprocal teaching, indirect instruction, didactic questioning, interactive instruction, procedural skills, independent study, visual aids, and study guides. All have been successful in guiding children's learning in various subject areas within a classroom.

Reciprocal teaching is often beneficial in developing students' critical thinking skills. This method encourages children to summarize reading selections, generate relevant questions leading to basic recall of facts as well as making inferences, clarify thought processes, and predict what may logically happen next by incorporating new material with previous knowledge. This strategy may be particularly effective during reading and history classes. For example if reading Number the Stars, expect students to explain the story to peers, ask and discuss questions related to causes of World War II, clarify meanings of new vocabulary words encountered, and support predictions of what life may have been like for Annemarie and Ellen later on in life. Upon completion of this literature unit, students should capably identify other periods of time when society encountered prejudice. Not only can this method be effective, but the children will enjoy the social interaction and role they played.

Indirect instruction is another successful method, especially during history lessons. Students read selections about historical events usually not within an appropriate context for them. Provide the necessary background, and then have children read for meaning and discuss with peers. When learning about the fall of Rome, students can identify the three main causes and effects resulting in Rome's demise. Then, they can expand upon that information and identify conflicts that arise in modern day society. They should be able to incorporate and present their ideas into a compare and contrast organizer. Making these meaningful connections are quite helpful for children's ultimate understanding that common conflict themes are evident throughout history.

Interactive instruction is a valuable tool in developing students' social relationships and communication skills. This method can be implemented across curriculum because it encourages brainstorming, discussing, and conferencing by using Think Pair Share. During a science lesson about the planet Earth, present Pangaea and Continental Drift. Students should think about what evidence may exist to prove these theories. Then, talk about their thinking with a partner; and finally, share their views with the class. Children practice conversation in small and large groups as well as derive common thoughts that the theories are plausible because of similar fossil, animal, and cultural findings.

Procedural skills involve many different actions on the role as the teacher. To ensure student motivation and drive to learn, always explain the purpose of the lesson. Children should know from the beginning what objectives they are to meet. Model everything even your thinking process as you write. Their thinking process is stretched with leveled questions. Students should support every answer given. Follow up with questions likely to bring their thinking to another level. The most important procedural feature to implement is wait time. Sometimes it feels like a long time, but never call on children right away. Give students time to formulate their entire answer.

Other items that children enjoy learning from are visual aids and study skill strategies. Visual aids include art, stories, films, and organizers. Study skill strategies include making note cards, reviewing a little each night, partnering up to quiz each other, using mnemonics, and relating new material to previous knowledge. These strategies are equally effective across disciplines. All these strategies incorporate topics of interest to many children, such as writing, technology, literature, and hands-on activities. Children learn to love the life-long learning process because they recognize how many interesting ways information can be attained. Ultimately, using an array of strategies ensures that all students' needs and desires will be met.