Teresa Thompson

 

 

I believe that:

 

• lessons and units need to be connected to students' experiences

• the teacher must know the content being taught

• differentiated instruction should be active in the classroom

• lessons should be interactive, engaging, kinesthetic, auditory, visual and hands-on

• teachers are learners too

• multiple grouping configurations need to be incorporated into teachings (whole group, small group, partner, and
  individual)

• lessons should reflect learning styles

• lessons should be standard based

• everything taught must have a focused objective

• students should always know the value of what they are learning

• teachers should use multiple forms of informal and formal assessment

• assessment should inform planning

• teachers should build motivation into lessons and units

• teachers must also self assess their teaching

• instruction should be thematic based

• integration across content should be used

• classrooms should be arranged to facilitate instructions

• classroom libraries are important

• classrooms should be technology infused

• key concepts must be revisited multiple times

• higher order thinking skills (analysis, synthesis, evaluation, inquiry, application) need to be incorporated

• teachers should plan for simplifications and extensions in every lesson

• teachers must be record keepers

• students should have choice

• teachers should recognize when re-teaching is necessary

• students should participate in writing to learn concepts

•  scaffolding (model, guide, independent practice, students do it, evaluate) should be used in the classroom