Effective Teaching Strategies

Effective teaching strategies to allow for multi-curriculum approaches can be very structured towards the curriculum requirements of the class and school (Foreman 2007). When a teacher employees strategies that are suited to their own specific class, students are guided into their Zone of Proximal Development (Vialle, Lysaght & Verenikina 2008).

Teachers need to be able to adapt learning to support teaching pedagogy and curriculum in place (Foreman 2007).  Caitlin, as your students do not have the acquired knowledge to work co-operatively and effectively in groups you will need to explicitly teach group working skills. Your development of their group work skills will also allow for each to become more confident in their own learning. By exploring role plays and scenarios you will be able to develop your 24 student’s knowledge in being a successful team member in their groups.

The following activities and themes can be utilized to help teach students about group work, teams and overall sharing in the education process. 

Comparative Role Plays

Students here develop the ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ way to perform within a group situation, they are able to explore different ways of dealing within the same context. By allowing students to use their creativity they are able to identify and connect with the ideals being discussed. Once the role play is done a deconstruction should take place, and students should be asked the following questions, customized to the specific role play:

• Why did you do that?
• How did you feel when that happened?
• What should have happened to make the group work better?
• Why should the group do this instead of that?

Student Explanation

Here students are asked about being a member in a group and what it entails. By having students explain the importance of group work, and how to be the best member in the team other students are able to develop their understandings of how to work in a group. The teacher also needs to develop a chart to explain what is good and what is bad when you work in a group. This then can be referred to during class group work when students need to be prompted to be on task.

Classroom Group Work Rules

Class rules are always a beneficial classroom management tool. Along with the overall class rules developing ‘group work’ rules can be extremely helpful.

Students would create a list of ‘successful team member attributes’ and a list of ‘unsuccessful team member attributes’. The two lists should be hung around the room and referred to when students are showing any of the attributes.

Teacher Expectation

Before each group work activity takes place, Caitlin and other teachers need to clearly explain what is going to happen during the lesson and WHY it is important. The teacher needs to explicitly list what skills are needed to be successful. By having students know what they need to do to triumphant in their set tasks. This also allows for the students to be aware of the meaning behind the activity and creates a sense of respect and importance in completing the group work.