Strategy

Re-do assignments:

Appropriate for: Gr. 7-12

*I like this strategy for all grades.
However, I would not press upon
students below a junior high
level.

Explanation

Key Considerations/ Reflections

Allowing each student the option

of re-doing assignments.

This strategy allows for power

dynamics to favor this student.
Each student has the option to
redo there assignment in order to
obtain a higher grade.

It is important for students to

realise that in the working world
low quality of work will not be
accepted and they will be asked
to reproduce such products until
standards are met.

One of the major benefits to this

strategy is that it allows students
to reproduce a higher quality of
work and while increasing their
retention rate.
Considerations as to deadlines and
how many times a teacher should
allow re-submissions should be
made.

Personal or anonymous
response:

The teacher may ask for students

to put their heads down and close
their eyes, after this is done they
may ask the students in an
anonymous fashion who is
comfortable enough with the
material to move on.

One of the primary benefits to

using this strategy in a class
setting, is that it allows for the
teacher to judge her own style of
teaching and see how comfortable
her students would be if she were
to move on.
Cons
-If trust is broken by students
peaking, or worse teasing begins
the technique may be
compromised

I think this might work best for

students with behavioural issues.

If few people raise their hands the

teacher may gain the opportunity
to approach those students and
make plans for help. Conversely,
if the whole class if having
issues, the teacher must then reevaluate and try a new approach.
A contract that the student and
teacher create together in order to
outline specific goals which the
student and the teacher both agree
are achievable and desirable.

Grade level: K-6

I would not use a token system
with anyone student over the age
of 12, as I believe it trains them
to always need a pat on the back.

Many of these contracts are

dependent upon a token system,
where the student receives a
reward or tangible representation
of a job well done.

Grade level: 2-Post

Secondary.

Individual or contingence
contracts:

Pros
-may be an effective way to shape
behaviors
-increases motivation
-if used correctly, motivation may
be converted from extrinsic to
intrinsic
Cons
-food such as candy are often used
as reward (Personally I would
never use food to motivate as

Operant Conditioning/ Shaping

Grade level: K-12
Ques/ Prompts
visual lists or check lists
may be more appropriate for
lower grade levels and seem
demeaning to those in higher
grades

Jigsaw activities:
Grade level: Depending on
activity. K-12.

*Clearly state expectations to the

younger grades as they may
require more guidance

Pairing punishment with

reinforcement as punishment
alone is ineffective.
In addition there is shaping: a
technique in which the teacher
reinforces a goal slowly and then
starts to reinforce less and less
until the desired behaviour has
been achieved.
Jigsaw techniques are methods
of organizing a classroom
activity. Students have to
dependent on one another to
succeed.
Generally speaking in Jig-Saw
activities, each student is
responsible for learning to
material proficiently and then
teaching it back to group mates.

trying to reward with food teaches

that when one accomplishes a goal
or feels good they should indulge.)
Pairing a reinforcement with
punishment is a necessity, without
the reinforcement the student only
learns that their behavior was
wrong
Without being given a chance to
see how to correct the undesired
behaviour.

Group work. Pros:

-It allows the student to be in
control of their own learning.
-Great for self and peer
assessment.
-Encourages critical thinking
-Sharing of specific content
-Can help to form social skills
Cons: Its is important to be aware
that some students may try to get
by on the work of others, if the
students are in control of their
own learning sometimes the
students will choose not to learn.
A key consideration might be that
direction should be specific and
instruction should include time
parameters and expectations.

Ice Breakers:

Grade level: All

*with variance in length and
depth of activity depending on
grade level.

Ice breakers encompass many

strategies that may act as an
introduction and encourage
students to build relationships.
The Name Game:
Each student will recite the
names of the last few students
before them, as each new student
attempts they will have to add

Pros: This is a great strategy for

building a positive learning
environment. If students feel more
comfortable around their peers
they may be more willing to ask
questions and not feel judged.
The name game challenges
memory, encourages fun and
laughter which always lightens up

one more name to the list for the

next person to try, their own. By
the end of the game the last
students challenge will be to
recite the names of all his
classmates and then his own.
Birthday Lines:
Teachers may have students try to
line up based on month and day
of birth without speaking.
Daily Outline:

Exit slips:

Reading rainbow
(childrens book talk):

The class is going allowing each

student to have a heads-up as to
where the class is going and
prepare for the days agenda
Our most recent Evaluation
reading expanded upon why it is
important for lesson plans and
end goals to be transparent.
-If the end goal and the
expectations of the teacher are
clear, then (according to our class
text) the goal and expectations
should be easier for the student to
obtain.
Have each student is to fill out an
exist slip before they leave the
classroom. They should pose a
question or write a small
summary about what they
learned.
This strategy allows
students the opportunity
to hear from different
books within the
classroom.
It is important to try and
expose students to as
much literature as
possible, because reading
helps students develop

a room.
Some teachers even try to
incorporate rhymes!
Birthday lines can also be a good
way to build on non-verbal
communication.
Cons:
-Demands time
-If poorly instructed or facilitated
it can be stressful and rhymes may
contribute to bullying.
Giving students a heads-up as to
where the class is going and
prepare for the days agenda

This technique allows students to

take a moment to refresh their
memories and let the material they
just learned sink in.

Some GHI instructors have

suggested that teachers
should introduce up to five
books a day.
In addition, many lessons
can be introduced through
stories or books that fit or
tie into the program of
studies.

essential language skills.

Humour:
APPROPREIATE FOR ALL
AGES!!

An instructional tool that teachers

may use to be more effective.
- Encourage attentive listening
and subsequently, maybe even
possible interest in the subject
matter.

The development of
language skills may
contribute later in life to
social networks.
Some consideration must be given
to the right and wrong ways of
using humor. There are ways of
using humor effectively and ways
of crossing the line.
Educators should be cautious
when incorporating humor as they
do not want to be viewed as
disrespectful or unprofessional.
The incorporation of humor
should be done in a tasteful but
appealing way.