Book Review: Better Learning Through Structured Teaching
Post date: Jan 21, 2013 9:49:31 PM
14. Book Review: Better Learning Through Structured Teaching
WRITTEN BY: KATE PETTY - ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JUL• 29•12
This book is a must for every educator today- whether you are teaching a traditional classroom or migrating toward blended learning. Fisher and Frey expand on the “I do-we do-you do together- you do alone” strategy in explaining how to do the gradual release method. Gradual release simply means that the teacher shows the students how to do something and then slowly demonstrates the strategies needed so that the student can do it on his/her own. They find that most teachers will show the students how to do something, do one as an example, and then ask the students to tackle it on their own. What most teachers miss is asking students to try something collaboratively before they try it alone. The collaborative time gives teachers the chance to work with groups of students separately in a guided instruction small group.
Fisher and Frey break everything down for teachers by introducing the part (I do, we do, you do together, you do alone); giving a look at a classroom using the strategy at the elementary, middle, and high school levels; providing strategies for lesson plans; and finally, giving the assessment suggestions for them.
Another area Fisher and Frey spend some time with is collaborative groups. They provide specific strategies and steps that allow teachers who are thinking about introducing or modifying the collaborative nature of their classrooms to be successful.
I would strongly suggest this read for teachers in all subject areas, grades, and places of teacher development.