Good morning principals and other leaders, firstly I just wanted to thank you all for inviting me back for a second round interview, for the position of teaching grade three at your all boys, multicultural school. Based on my phone conversation I understand in this interview you would like to learn more about myself as a teacher and the strategies I use in the classroom.
I find a constructivist approach and making the classroom environment student-centred as much as possible it what works best. I think it is important as teachers to help students construct knowledge rather than simply providing them with a list of facts to memorise (Concept to Classroom, 2004). Two strategies that help me achieve this is through inquiry based learning and group discussion.
Inquiry based learning is a strategy I believe all teachers should promote in their classrooms, as it encourages
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The first one is ask, which relates to asking questions based on students’ knowledge to encourage creative thinking and group discussion. The second is investigate, where students gather information, observe, experiment, study and interview. The third is create which involves hands on learning. Students collaborate with other students and try to make sense of the information found (Maab & Artigue, 2013). The fourth is discuss which involves listening to others, constructing knowledge and sharing ideas as well as comparing notes and learning experiences. The fifth is reflect which refers to students commenting on others experiences and reflecting on what they learnt.
Inquiry based learning is most effective in subjects such a science, history and maths (Westwood, 2008, p. 16-17). It can be used anytime justification regarding their finding and thoughts on various topics is essential (Bevevino et al, 1999). This strategy will work well with the multicultural grade three boys class as this group of students need encouragement to share