Guided Practice

Guided Practice

Guided practice is a teaching strategy that involves providing students with structured and scaffolded support to help them master a skill or concept. Guided practice can take various forms, such as modeling, questioning, feedback, or prompts, depending on the level of difficulty and the learning objectives. Guided practice is often used in conjunction with direct instruction, where the teacher explicitly explains and demonstrates the skill or concept, and independent practice, where the students apply the skill or concept on their own with minimal or no guidance.

The benefits of guided practice are manifold. Guided practice can help students to:

– Build confidence and motivation by experiencing success and overcoming challenges
– Develop metacognitive skills by reflecting on their own learning process and strategies
– Enhance understanding and retention by connecting new information to prior knowledge and experiences
– Transfer learning to different contexts and situations by applying the skill or concept in various ways
– Receive timely and specific feedback from the teacher or peers to improve their performance and correct their errors

To implement guided practice effectively, teachers should consider the following steps:

– Assess the students’ prior knowledge and readiness for learning the new skill or concept
– Establish clear and measurable learning objectives and success criteria
– Model the skill or concept using think-alouds, examples, or demonstrations
– Provide students with multiple opportunities to practice the skill or concept with varying levels of support and challenge
– Monitor and assess the students’ progress and provide feedback, hints, or corrections as needed
– Gradually fade the support and increase the responsibility as the students become more proficient and independent
– Review and reinforce the skill or concept by summarizing the main points, asking questions, or assigning homework

Guided practice is a powerful tool for enhancing student learning and achievement. By providing students with appropriate guidance and support, teachers can help them master the skills and concepts that are essential for their academic success.

References:

Borich, G. D. (2017). Effective teaching methods: Research-based practice (9th ed.). Pearson.

Fisher, D., & Frey, N. (2014). Better learning through structured teaching: A framework for the gradual release of responsibility (2nd ed.). ASCD.

Rosenshine, B. (2012). Principles of instruction: Research-based strategies that all teachers should know. American Educator, 36(1), 12–19.

Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (Eds.). (2007). Motivation and self-regulated learning: Theory, research, and applications. Routledge.

Tomlinson, C. A., & Moon, T. R. (2013). Assessment and student success in a differentiated classroom. ASCD.

Woolfolk, A., Hughes, M., & Walkup, V. (2019). Psychology in education (3rd ed.). Pearson.