The analysis of lessons provides insights for educators and enables them to improve their skills and knowledge on effective teaching strategies and aspects to avoid. The reviewed lesson was delivered to 24 third-grade students (including four native English speakers, English learners, and special education students) (Mayerson Academy, n.d.). The objectives of the lesson were for students to become able to distinguish fact from opinion, as well as defend their position orally (Mayerson Academy, n.d.). The focus of this review is on such areas as strategies, interactions, and application and practice. The lesson can serve as an illustration of the effective utilization of appropriate teaching strategies and the achievement of lesson objectives.
The SIOP checklist is employed to consider the strengths and areas for improvement regarding the lesson in question (see Appendix A). This instrument helps identify the major aspects of a lesson that are necessary for enhancing students’ learning (Echevarria, Vogt, & Short, 2018). The teacher uses various strategies that help students to understand the material and promote higher-order thinking skills. The educator encourages students to use different learning strategies that assist in reaching the set objectives. For instance, the students are actively involved in the discussion of diverse words and units trying to defend their position. Children are free to think aloud and the instructor tends to use these occasions to comment on answers and the way of thinking. Learners read and work in groups, as well as interact with the teacher, which helps them grasp the material and remain engaged. The entire lesson is devoted to the search for meaning, so students respond to diverse types of questions, including numerous interpretive ones.
Interaction during the lesson under consideration is effective and implemented in different forms. Students work in groups and individually; they interact with each other and the educator. Although it is not explicitly featured in the video, it is clear that the teacher has an assistant who can provide help to struggling students. English-speaking students can also help their peers if something is unclear. The educator uses an appropriate pace when giving instructions or explaining central concepts or important points. It is noteworthy that the instructor is emotional and uses humor to make the learners more engaged.
The practice and application component is also one of the strengths of the reviewed lesson. The students complete diverse tasks that facilitate their learning. They read from reading books and hand-outs. The teacher uses several types of hand-outs and also utilizes technology. These different types of tasks and materials are instrumental in motivating and engaging learners. It is not clear from the video whether students write during the lesson, but they read, walk around the class, work in groups (standing in circles and sitting at their desks), discuss words and phrases. The instructor remains active and engages different students during the class. The educator asks questions and praises students for correct answers or active participation.
On balance, it is possible to note that the lesson under analysis is effective as the teacher makes use of various teaching strategies facilitating students’ learning. The objectives are established, and the chosen tasks are consistent with them. The use of materials is also effective, and students are engaged during the entire lesson. The reviewed class can be seen as an illustration of the effective use of appropriate teaching techniques and materials that help learners to grasp quite complex concepts and practice using effective strategies.
References
Mayerson Academy. (n.d.). SIOP model for teaching English learners – Lesson delivery [Video file]. Web.
Echevarria, J., Vogt, M. E., & Short, D. J. (2018). Making content comprehensible for elementary English learners: The SIOP model. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.