Step by Step

The gradual release teaching method allows teacher to slowly and carefully introduce new ideas and topics to their students, so that by using planned steps students are eventually able to do the work on their own. 

I used this method with my first grader students this week on a review lesson that focused on sentence creation.  

Are sentences were structured to two prompts:

We used a simple worksheet to help us stay organized and focused:

Here is how our lesson went:

Reflection:

I should have taped the other class!

It is that simple.  The other class is better.  

Better students.  

Better behaved. 

 Just plain better.  

When I did the lesson with them (in the period before the one I filmed) it went effortlessly.  The gradual release method flowed like water.  The students were patient, they listened, they observed.  Then when I asked for input they raised their hands and were considerate of other students and myself.  When we worked in our groups they needed little additional instruction and created sentences within their ability. 

They are just better on the whole.

It was/is frustrating to see myself in this video, because it's one thing to know of the frustrations that exist in your classroom.  But you like to tell yourself that you deal with them and move on.  Instead when you see yourself on tape - you see the frustrations as well!  

I can see myself annoyed.  I can see myself losing patience.  I can see the amount of affection and care I have for my students be pulled at and stripped.  It is frustrating.  It is upsetting. 

But this is a battle I have been losing this entire year with the class in the video. 

As for the gradual release method ~

This method works very well in an ESL classroom.  It fits in perfectly with nearly every lesson/topic/activity that I do/would do.