First Discussion In This Unit: Brainstormed Some P

In The First Discussion In This Unit You Brainstormed Some Potential

In the first discussion in this unit, you brainstormed some potential learning events, and you received some additional suggestions from your colleagues. Select two learning events you will use in your mini-unit and list them here. Explain how you might go about monitoring student progress while they learn. Consider informal strategies you can use in a formative way. Suppose you have some students who struggle with the two learning events you discussed here.

What are some strategies you would use to help those students? The learning events are: Explicit Instruction / Modeling and Scaffolding Differentiation and Assessments.

Paper For Above instruction

Effective teaching strategies are essential for fostering student engagement, understanding, and progress. In designing a mini-unit, selecting appropriate learning events and implementing formative assessment strategies are crucial components of instructional success. In this paper, I will discuss two learning events—Explicit Instruction/Modeling and Scaffolding—and outline methods for monitoring student progress, as well as strategies to support students who encounter difficulties with these methods.

First, Explicit Instruction and Modeling serve as foundational approaches for introducing new concepts. Explicit instruction involves clearly explaining learning objectives, providing direct explanations, and demonstrating procedures or skills step-by-step. Modeling complements this by demonstrating the thought processes, problem-solving methods, or skills in action, allowing students to observe and imitate effective strategies (Rosenshine, 2012). To monitor student progress during these sessions, I plan to utilize informal formative assessment strategies such as observations, questioning, and think-aloud protocols. For example, asking guiding questions during the modeling phase can gauge students’ understanding and identify misconceptions early. Additionally, using exit tickets or quick write-ins at the end of the lesson can provide immediate feedback on their grasp of the concepts.

Secondly, Scaffolding involves providing temporary support to students as they learn new content or skills, gradually removing the assistance as their independence grows (Vygotsky, 1978). This can be achieved through the use of graphic organizers, guided practice, or prompts that scaffold the students’ learning process. To monitor progress, I would employ formative assessment techniques such as observing student work during guided practice sessions, conducting one-on-one check-ins, and using think-pair-share activities to assess individual understanding. These strategies encourage ongoing feedback and allow for timely adjustments in instructional support.

When addressing the needs of students who struggle with these learning events, tailored support strategies are vital. For students facing difficulties with explicit instruction and modeling, one effective approach is to provide additional guided practice sessions that reinforce the modeled examples, accompanied by visual aids or multisensory resources to enhance comprehension (Hattie, 2009). Offering explicit, step-by-step instructions and modeling multiple times can help reinforce understanding. Furthermore, integrating peer-assisted learning by pairing struggling students with confident peers can facilitate peer modeling and provide social support.

For students who find scaffolding challenging, providing alternative or supplementary scaffolds can be beneficial. For instance, breaking down complex tasks into smaller, más manageable steps, and offering visual cues or checklists can help these students follow the learning process more effectively (Hogan et al., 2018). Additionally, providing explicit feedback and setting clear, incremental goals can motivate and guide struggling learners. Differentiating assessments by allowing varied formats—such as oral presentations, drawings, or manipulatives—can also support different learning preferences and needs.

In conclusion, incorporating explicit instruction and scaffolding as core learning events, combined with thoughtful formative monitoring strategies, can enhance student learning. Differentiated support for students who struggle ensures that all learners receive the necessary assistance to succeed. By continuously assessing student progress informally and adjusting instruction accordingly, teachers can foster an inclusive and effective learning environment that promotes academic growth.

References

Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A Synthesis of over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement. Routledge.

Hogan, C. J., Nastasi, B. K., & Kuhn, M. (2018). The Effectiveness of Visual Supports in Supporting Classroom Behavior and Skills: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Behavioral Education, 27(4), 356-374.

Rosenshine, B. (2012). Principles of Instruction: Research-Based Strategies That All Teachers Should Know. American Educator, 36(1), 12-19.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press.

Tomlinson, C. A. (2014). The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners. ASCD.

Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by Design. ASCD.

Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (1998). Inside the Black Box: Developing Formative Assessment. Phi Delta Kappan, 80(2), 139-148.

Shulman, L. S. (1986). Those Who Understand: Knowledge Growth in Teaching. Educational Researcher, 15(2), 4-14.

Hughes, C., & Dexter, D. (2019). Strategies for Supporting Struggling Learners. Journal of Special Education, 53(3), 150-162.