Reflection

Wonders is a planning technique that consists of organized activities in a workbook that facilitates my lesson preparation. I realized that the method is not so engaging and facilitates minimal learner involvement. At the beginning of this module, I sort for effective planning methods that enhance learner inclusivity and increase participation. With this I sourced resources that have helped me learn several planning methods that ensure active learning.

The first resource is The SIOP Model by Exhevarria, which has helped me learn effective strategies to plan and prepare for a classroom. The resource has also helped to establish ways that enhance active learning for all students, by stressing the importance of encouraging diversity.

Secondly, the resource 8 Active Learning Strategies and Examples by Raydys has several strategies that I have implemented in my lesson planning; these include Reciprocal questioning, the pause procedure, and peer teaching techniques. These techniques have enhanced instruction since learner confidence, content understanding and a sense of responsibility in lesson planning and execution have been established.

Further, I have implemented the Readers and Writers Workshop by Mansaray as a planning strategy, which has helped create creative, supportive, and collaborative lesson plans for active learning. The strategy has been efficient, especially for ELT learners since it has allowed individualized instruction. It involved 3 stages; the mini-lesson, guided and independent practice, and reflection. The first stage has allowed for assessment of prior knowledge, the guided instruction has helped to provide one-on-one support to every learner, and finally, reflection has helped to ascertain what learners have learned. Finally, the other resource that has been helpful in improving planning is Lesson Planning by SMU, which has guided me on how to develop a roadmap of what has to include in my classroom to ensure the active participation of all learners. Through this guide, I have managed to align my learning objectives, learning activities, and assessment strategies to assess understanding.