SIOP

The Second Grade Classroom Science video shows how two teachers carefully implement the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model of teaching.  This strategy is a specific method used to instruct English learners.  I talked about it a bit in an earlier post (Having a Plan:  SDAIE), but I very much enjoyed watching two veteran teachers actually putting it into action.

 What stood out most for me was just how much careful planning must be used when using this teaching protocol.  Eight specific areas must be addressed:  lesson preparation, building background, comprehensible input, strategies, interaction, practice and application, lesson delivery and review and assessment. It is a time-consuming process and teachers are, if anything, always short on time.

Still, I am someone who likes to have a plan, and I will definitely be mindful of all of these steps that should be used when instructing English learners.  Lesson planning takes enormous effort, and since teachers must try to create an effective learning environment for all students, it is certainly worth setting up lessons that benefit English learners.  As I watched the video, I kept thinking that if I started the video midway so that I had missed the preparation the teachers made, I would have just assumed it was a typical classroom full of English as primary language students.  Once again, this proved my theory that good teaching is good teaching no matter the students.  So, when I am a teacher with my own English learners, I will use this protocol for planning my lessons, but I will use the strategies for the entire class. 

             

SIOP:  Second Grade Science video