While I was watching the video I noticed that the teacher used a number of
teaching techniques and was extremely interactive with his students. Techniques and the way
you teach can vary depending on what grade level you teach, but since this class was first grade
I believe that his techniques were great for kid that age.
The first teaching I noticed was modeling. The teacher would show his students what he
expected of them prior to giving them their assignment. Everything he want the students to do
he modeled first. For example, at the beginning of the video he had the students put their
hands on their head, but before they did he put his hands on his head to show them exactly
what they wanted. Another example was then he wanted the students to whisper their answer
in their hands he (the teacher) whispered the answer into his hands. He modeled everything he
wanted the students to do and then did it with the students when it was their turn. Whenever
a teacher demonstrates a concept for a student, that teacher is modeling (Haston, 2007, p.1).
The second teaching strategy I noticed the call and response strategy. This strategy is
very effective when trying to regain a group of student’s attention. I have used this strategy
multiple times with my students. The best classroom management and behavior techniques are
those that prevent problem behavior from occurring in the first place (Menzies et al., 2018).
Call and response techniques are a fun and effective way of gaining your students attention
without having to yell. Using specific phrases that require a call back from students that signal it
is time to focus on the teacher (“Call and response,” 2023). The call and response the teacher
used was “Hocus Pocus” and the students returned with “Everybody Focus”. This is a great and
fun way to grab their attention without feeling overwhelmed.
The third approach I noticed was the teacher used the feedback strategy. The teacher
made sure that when asking questions, they were open-ended. When students would answer
his question the teacher made sure he gave feedback and repeat what was said to make sure
the students were understanding and catching all the key points. Also, if a student was
struggling he was helping to move the student in the right direction and asking these open-
ended questions to try and get the student to think. He also would have the students’ peers
jump in to help and give feedback to the student that were struggling to find the answer. Once
the struggling student had the answer he had them repeat the answer in hopes that it would
stick. A key ingredient of successful student learning is timely, specific, and relevant feedback
(“Feedback strategies that promote learning,” 2022).
If I was the one teaching the class there wouldn’t not be much I would do differently.
One thing I would have done is made it more diverse for the students. This can include models
or handouts that were grade appropriate. Every student is different, and they all learn different
ways. Some students learn hands on, some learn by reading, and some learn by listening. I
would also include some type of technology. I only say this because technology is the future,
and the children are our future. Technology also seems to keep the new generation engaged.
This would include some sort of short clip and maybe an educational game they could play that
relates back to the material that I was teaching for the day.
One bible verse that stuck out to me that aligned with the teacher’s strategies was,
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6). This one stuck out because the teacher used modeling as one of his strategies.
He was showing the children what he needs them to do, and the children followed him. Another
one that stuck out was, “The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise”
(Proverbs 15:31). I feel like this one sticks out because of the teacher using feedback strategies.
This bible verse to me says if you listen and accept feedback you will be among the wise.
References
Call and response. (2023, June 1). InsideEWU – Eastern Washington
University. https://inside.ewu.edu/managementtoolbox/call-and-response
Feedback strategies that promote learning. (2022, November 7). Moreland
University. https://moreland.edu/resources/blog-insights/feedback-strategies-
that-promote-learning
Haston, W. (2007). Teacher modeling as an effective teaching strategy. Music Educators Journal, 93(4),
26. https://doi.org/10.2307/4127130
Menzies, H. M., Lane, K. L., Oakes, W. P., Ruth, K., Cantwell, E. D., & Smith-Menzies, L. (2018). Active
supervision: An effective, efficient, low-intensity strategy to support student success. Beyond
Behavior, 27(3), 153-159. https://doi.org/10.1177/1074295618799343
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