IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION

BASED ON CHAPTER 5, HOW CAN TEACHERS IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION IN THEIR CLASSROOMS AND MAKE THEM CONDUCIVE TO MEANINGFUL LEARNING?

According to the book, the teacher must interact academically with students and with the curriculum.  Here we can link many elements to get effectiveness when teaching: the explanation of the material, the type of question to ask them, or they ask. Also, we as teacher must do activities according to the students needs. Flexibility and adeptness with a variety of strategies also contributes to be effective. It is believed that teachers who use employ a range of strategies reach more students because they tap into more learning styles and students interests. Some strategies are: using of concept mapping, lecturing, hands on learning, conceptualization.  

WHY IS COMMUNICATION OF CONTENT AND SKILLS KNOWLEDGE A CHARACTERISTIC OF GOOD TEACHERS?

 It is a characteristic of effective teachers because it helps students to participate actively in class. The teacher affective characteristics are often of primary concern; teachers must constantly communicate a climate of support, according to the book, to ensure that students participate actively. Effective communication also requires teachers to clearly understand the subject matter and how to share that subject matter with students so Ss understand deeply.

 HOW ARE YOU DEALING WITH STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN YOUR OWN TEACHING PRACTICUM, AS THE AGE OF YOUR STUDENTS IS A CRITICAL ONE?

Well, I always try to encourage them to participate even though some of them do not feel like doing anything. I always give them an example first and then they do the rest. For me it is hard to attract their attention because they are always thinking about many things while I am teaching. What I do the most is to acknowledge what is in their mind and it really works a lot whenever they refuse to participate. Then they do it happily. I know it is difficult because of their age but I am learning everyday to manage the class, a large class. 

MY CLASS(video)

Here, students are working in pairs. A semicontrolled practice. I give them a piece of paper which has some drawings that they have to match with the name of the object.(forniture)

ORGANIZING FOR INSTRUCTION

ORGANIZING FOR INSTRUCTION

How do you focus on instruction?

In my case, I try to promote the enthusiasm on my students. I think is a good way to motivate them to learn something new every day and for me is easy to teach if their affective filter is low. I also try to include in my lesson plan activities that can be achieved by them. I don’t mean that I just include too obvious or too easy exercises; I like to make them think.

How do you maximize instructional time?

By the moment I am still working on it. Timing is the most difficult that I have faced during my practices. Even though I prepare my lesson plan timed carefully, sometimes I cannot complete it. Well, I try to prepare the materials some days before to see also if there is something I can change before the class.

How do you expect students to succeed in your class?

I always expect that my students learn something from my class: if a point of my lesson plan is not  is not clear I try to explain to them again till they grasp the information. I also give them examples before they start working in their practice.

How do you plan and prepare for instruction?

I always focus on their prior knowledge. I prepare my classes with examples of things they already know; so, based on that see also if there is a gap in my students. As a teacher, I try to link everything to real life so that Ss can learn better.

Do you make last minutes changes when things are not working?

Of course! I always do it. There was a class in which I had to teach something related to grammar; they did not get it! I turn into some practice of the simple present tense negative form. After that I realize that my Ss were not prepared handle some grammar aspects.

Did they work?

I think it really worked because the present tense was already familiar to them. I just to give them some examples and they completed the rest. Uuuuuuf!

What needs to be done to better your instructions?

I need so much! I think that I need to dominate many topics because by the moment  I realized that I know nothing.  Sometimes my Ss ask things that I do not know, sincerely , I think it is a great challenge for me. But this is the process. I did not go to school to teach; I went to school to learn.