TEACHING:

SCIENCE OF TEACHING

• Trial and error
• Many variables
• Requires diligent attention
• Fine tuning for results
• Small changes may have big impacts

5TH GRADE

COGNITIVE SKILLS

• Good concentration
• Increasing abstract thinking
• Like collecting and organizing
• Skillful at memorizing
• Follow directions

EMOTIONAL STATES

• Largely cooperative
• Interested in fairness
• Tend to work well in groups
• Generally at ease
• Appreciate constructive input

LEARNING STYLES

Students as leaders
Multiple intelligences
Modeling and guiding

Gradual release of responsibility
Project-based learning
Best practices

Hands on experiences
Children take ownership in the classroom
Routines in place for consistency

MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES

Community classroom
Sharing circles
Learning about diverse cultures and lifestyles

Get to know parents and neighborhood
Cultivate atmosphere of integrity
Share real examples relevant to all cultures in teaching content

CLASSROOM LEARNING

Organized classroom
Student art and projects on the walls
Routines clearly established

Students empowered to take charge of their learning
Regular class meetings for community building
Natural consequences for challenging behaviors

AS TEACHER

Clear expectations and routines
Receptive to student input, class works together as a team
Students encouraged to reach for their greatest potential

Sources:
Wood, C. (2007). Yardsticks. Turner Falls, MA: Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc.