The following focuses on how to use novelty in instruction. It is how Kerry and her teaching partner, Darlene, continue to share how they use the Hierarchy.

We try to make lessons varied and interesting so that our students WANT to attend to what we are teaching. We try to make “hands-on” activities whenever possible and intersperse action times into teaching times. We look for goofy ways to interest them. For instance, on the day that we teach them that “ar” makes the sound you hear in “star,” we give them a colourful foam star attached to a sheet of “ar” words. This makes the lesson special, the “ar” sound sticks in their minds and they take the sheet home and teach their parents all about “ar”. On the day that we teach the “or” sound, we eat oranges or make popcorn. Who wants to misbehave when there’s something good to eat coming up? WE USE THE MONEY THAT MANY TEACHERS MIGHT SPEND ON BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION REWARDS AND “GOOD WORK” STICKERS TO PURCHASE THINGS TO MAKE OUR PROGRAM MORE MULTISENSORY AND INTERESTING. (Caps added)

More of Kerry’s posts are available at her blog.

Print This Post Print This Post
Posted In: Promoting Learning On: July 23, 2008: 8:01 am: By Marvin Marshall