Middle School Instructional Practices

Note: Normally, I do not publish my blog, English Updates, on weekends. However, I publish several other blogs during the week having to do with ideas in English education that are not current, but still useful. On weekends, I will publish samples of these ideas. RayS.

Question: What are some prevailing middle school instructional practices?

Answer:

“More telling, mentioning, or assigning than actual teaching.”

 “The lecture approach as the predominant means of conveying information.”

“Writing vocabulary words on the board and having students look them up in the dictionary.”

“Telling the class to open textbooks and begin reading.”

“Providing no guidance for learning from written/oral material.”

 “Assigning reading with little or no preparation, direction, follow-up or discussion.” P. 85.

“Having students answer end-of-chapter questions.”

“Expecting students to work independently when textbooks are too difficult.”

“Assuming that students have the study skills necessary to complete assignments.”

“Asking mostly literal level questions.” P. 86.

Comment: See my book. Teaching English, How To…. Raymond Stopper, Xlibris, 2004, for information on how to right these ineffective instructional methods. RayS.

Title: “The Case for Improved Instruction in the Middle Grades.” KD Wood and K D Muth. Journal of Reading (October 1991), 84-90.