Private: Teaching Reading: 3-5 Workshop

Professional Development > Private: Teaching Reading: 3-5 Workshop > 7. Teaching Diverse Learners > 7.2 Analyze the Video | Teaching Diverse Learners

English Language Arts

3-5

Analyze the Video | Teaching Diverse Learners

Watch the video, "Teaching Diverse Learners," taking notes as you watch. After you watch, jot down your answers to the questions below. If you prefer to watch the video in segments, pause the video when you see the next chapter heading.

Video Summary

In “Teaching Diverse Learners,” Dorothy Strickland addresses the range of diversity in classrooms, including differences in language, culture, ability, interests, background knowledge, and approach to learning. Professor Strickland also discusses the importance of teachers understanding the backgrounds of their students in order to plan effective instruction. As you watch the video, consider the following questions:

Why should teachers know about the diverse backgrounds of their students?
What kinds of instruction help teachers address the range of student needs?
How can teachers put it all together?

Why should teachers know about the diverse backgrounds of their students?

In the first video segment, Professor Strickland addresses the importance of teachers understanding the backgrounds of their students in order to plan effective instruction. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image at the beginning of the video.)

How can teachers build on the background knowledge and experiences of their students when planning literacy instruction?
What are the pitfalls of assigning characteristics to a certain group of people?
How can you foster respect for the cultures and diversity of your students?

What kinds of instruction help teachers address the range of student needs?

In this segment, Professor Strickland discusses multilevel instruction and scaffolding instruction. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image approximately 11 minutes into the video.)

What does it mean to “scaffold” instruction?
How can teachers effectively use scaffolding strategies to create multilevel instruction?
In what areas can you provide multilevel instruction in your classroom?
What choices can you allow your students to make during reading and writing?

How can teachers put it all together?

In the final video segment, Professor Strickland suggests that teachers provide a wide range of ways students can pursue learning in their classrooms. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image approximately 22 minutes into the video.)

Based on Professor Strickland’s explanations and examples, evaluate your own practices. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the differentiated instruction you currently provide?
What changes might you make? How might you incorporate Professor Strickland’s examples into your own practices?

Series Directory

Private: Teaching Reading: 3-5 Workshop

Credits

Produced by WGBH Educational Foundation. 2006.

Closed Captioning
ISBN: 1-57680-815-7

Sections

7.1 Before You Watch | Teaching Diverse Learners

7.2 Analyze the Video | Teaching Diverse Learners

Watch the video, "Teaching Diverse Learners," taking notes as you watch. After you watch, jot down your answers to the questions below. If you prefer to watch the video in segments, pause the video when you see the next chapter heading.

7.3 Extend Your Knowledge | Teaching Diverse Learners

7.4 Put It Into Practice | Teaching Diverse Learners

7.5 Reflect on Your Learning | Teaching Diverse Learners

Supplementary: Examine the Literature Response Chart

Handout

Supplementary: Help for Struggling Upper-Grade Elementary Readers

Handout

Supplementary: Questions Teachers Ask About Struggling Readers and Writers

Handout

Supplementary: Lesson Plan Chart

Handout

Workshops

Workshop 1 Creating Contexts for Learning

This session examines how classroom organization, routines, and grouping practices can enhance literacy skills in the middle grades. Literacy expert Jeanne Paratore discusses teaching strategies that foster reading and writing skills. Classroom examples illustrate the research.

Workshop 2 Fluency and Word Study

This session focuses on how students in the middle grades develop vocabulary and reading fluency. Literacy expert Richard Allington discusses specific teaching strategies that help build fluency and vocabulary, illustrated by classroom examples.

Workshop 3 Building Comprehension

Comprehending text is one of the main goals of reading. In this session, literacy expert Nell Duke discusses what good readers do and strategies teachers can use to help students build comprehension skills. Classroom footage provides examples of comprehension strategies.

Workshop 4 Writing

This workshop examines the relationship between reading and writing in the middle grades. Literacy expert Nadeen Ruiz discusses the connections, conventions, and inventions that provide a framework for teaching writing, illustrated by classroom examples.

Workshop 5 New Literacies of the Internet

This workshop focuses on the evolving use of networked technology in education. Literacy expert Donald Leu discusses strategies that help students effectively read, write, and communicate on the Internet. Classroom examples illustrate strategies for using Internet resources in the classroom.

Workshop 6 Teaching English Language Learners

Changing classroom demographics call for a range or teaching strategies. In this session, literacy expert Robert Jim�nez discusses strategies teachers can use to create a successful learning environment for all students, while supporting English language learners. Classroom examples illustrate the research.

Workshop 7 Teaching Diverse Learners

In this session, literacy expert Dorothy Strickland discusses how teachers can meet the diverse needs of readers and writers in their classrooms. Classroom examples and teaching strategies address different aspects of diversity, including culture, language, background, ability, and learning approaches.

Workshop 8 Assessment and Accountability

This session explores assessment, standards, and outcomes. Literacy expert Kathy Au discusses the strategies teachers can use to assess students' understanding in reading and writing. Classroom examples illustrate how students can participate in their own assessment.