For a novice Elementary school teacher at the start of a new school year, walking in a classroom with learners from different backgrounds with different interests, character, and learning styles can be overwhelming. You might have heard from the previous class adviser of the previous school year who these students are but you know that this school year would be different. You will be the one to now handle the class.
A mix of different learners can be challenging but fulfilling at the same time. The first thing to do is to gain an understanding of your pupils’ specific needs so that you will be able to come up with a productive learning environment for them.
Here are some practical ways you can use to facilitate learning of some of these diverse learners:
- Indigenous and minority group learners
- Shy Learners
- Gifted Learners
- Bully
You may include cultural learning activities in your lessons. This encourages your learners to participate and they feel a sense of belonging when you give importance to their cultural beliefs. Open style questions, film showing, and role playing are helpful.
You can let shy learners sit with friends or classmates whom they are comfortable with. Increased responsiveness is advised so encourage participation in discussions as necessary.
One of their tendencies is to get bored in class because they learn faster than the others You can provide new challenges by extending tasks. You can also offer them expert helper roles for their classmates. Encourage them to join extra-curricular activities as well.
At the start of the school year, make clear guidelines and democratic rules on bullying. Ensure that bullying is promptly reported to school administrators, teachers, and parents. Develop significant friendship-based relationships among your learners. Make sure bullies know that their behaviors are unacceptable and victims should be taught to say “No!” to bullying so that cases of such would decrease and properly eliminated. Bully learners should be given due recognition of tasks done and be given roles that they would feel responsible doing.
As you go along, attending training to continuously develop your teaching skills and strategies can help. Each learner is different so you should be flexible and adaptable. Always make a regular assessment of how you are handling your learners and whether your teaching styles are effective and helpful to them.
References:
Bennis, Warren and Patricia :Ward Biederman. Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration. Perseus Books, 1997. Retrieved on January 10, 2015
Roth, W.-M., & Bowen, G. M. (1995) Knowing and interacting: A study of culture, practices, and resources in a grade 8 open-inquiry science classroom guided by a cognitive apprenticeship metaphor. Cognition and Instruction, 13, 73–128. Retrieved on January 2, 2015
Rytivaara, A., & Kershner, R. (2012). Co-teaching as a context for teachers’ professional learning and joint knowledge construction. Teaching and Teacher Education: An International Journal of Research and Studies, 28(7), 999-1008, p.85. doi:10.1016/j.tate.2012.05.006. Retrieved on January 8, 2015. Retrieved on January 2, 2015
By: Marlon C. Flojo | Teacher II | Morong Central Elementary School | Morong ,Bataan
