On the other hand, students, pupils, or learners are not identical. Even two identical twins are not the same. Therefore, as a seasoned teacher, you are expected to have and know enough effective teaching methods to use for teaching different categories of learners to be able to achieve the learning goals and objectives.
Get real-time news updates from Dailylight! Follow us on our WhatsApp channel for breaking news, Job updates, Cryptocurrency updates, exclusive stories and scholarship updates, and educational videos.
Children's modes of learning are quite different from the way an adolescent learns. As a teacher, understanding effective teaching methods, how to use them, and in what conditions to make use of each teaching method will do lots of good.
In this guide, you will discover 11 effective teaching methods for primary school teachers. The teaching methods can also be modified and used by the secondary school teachers.
Let's get started!
What is the teaching method?
A teaching method can be said to be a structured approach or strategy that a teacher utilizes to deliver planned lessons and facilitate learning for the students, pupils, or learners within or outside the classroom.
The teaching method encompasses specific techniques, tools, and activities designed to help students understand and retain knowledge, develop skills, and achieve educational goals. Some factors determine the types of teaching methods to use.
Some of the factors are subject matter, students' needs, and learning environment.
What is the best teaching method for primary school?
As a teacher, if you truly want to impart knowledge to the pupils, make sure that you use any or a combination of the above strategies:
- Spend quality time with your students; this will enable you to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Getting you to know them better.
- Be able to differentiate between summative and formative evaluations. Each should be used when needed and at the appropriate time.
- Provide clear and comprehensive instructions.
- Individualized instruction.
- Make use of targeted practice.
- Encouragement and reinforcement
- Metacognition (Think about thinking) strategies
11 Most Effective Teaching Methods for Primary School Teachers
#1. Interactive Storytelling
Interactive storytelling is about teaching concepts using fun and engaging stories.
How do you use this strategy as a teacher?
As a teacher, you can tell a story that includes lessons about numbers, history, or science. For instance, you can use a story about animals to teach mathematics by counting how many animals are in the story.
This strategy has been said to be the most engaging and effective strategy because it helps pupils to easily recollect or retain learning experiences.
#2. Play-Based Learning
Another effective teaching method that primary school teachers can use to adequately facilitate learning is the use of play-based learning.
The best way to describe this method is learning through games and play activities.
How to use play-based learning?
The simple way to teach using this method is to organize games like puzzles, role-playing, or building blocks to teach problem-solving or social skills.
For instance, a teacher can make use of a treasure hunt to teach directions or vocabulary.
#3. Project-Based Learning (PBL)
The next teaching method here on our list is project-based learning.
This involves allowing students to work on projects to solve a real-world problem.
To use this method as a teacher, ask students to create a poster about how to keep the environment clean. Indirectly, the project helps them learn teamwork, creativity, and environmental responsibility.
#4. Differentiated Instruction
Students have different learning styles. The best way to accommodate the unique needs of all learners is to impart knowledge at the individual student's pace by adjusting lessons to suit different learning styles and abilities.
The best way to utilize this method is to understand the best way each student learns.
Some categories of students learn better through visuals; you have to show them pictures or diagrams. While others prefer hands-on learning, as a teacher, you are to provide activities like crafts or experiments for them.
#5. Visual and Multimedia Tools
Visual and multimedia tools incorporate the use of images, videos, and diagrams to explain ideas and concepts.
How do I use this strategy?
Teachers are to show a video about plant growth while teaching science, or not only that, that makes use of a colorful chart to explain addition and subtraction.
#6. Experiential Learning
This is learning by doing or experiencing things directly.
Using this method is effective to the end that it does not only enable the delivery of the lesson but also create a memorable and exciting moment for the pupils.
To use this method as a teacher, take students on a nature walk to learn about plants and animals. You can also allow them to role-play as shopkeepers to understand money and transactions.
#7. Scaffolding Techniques
Scaffolding techniques involve breaking lessons into small and manageable steps to guide students.
A teacher utilizes this method in teaching a difficult concept like reading.
You will start by teaching letters, then words, and finally sentences. This is a gradual process that helps students learn.
#8. Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning is aimed at building togetherness and team spirit in students.
By using this method, students work together to complete tasks or solve problems.
The teacher can section group students to work on a puzzle, create a class story, or solve a math problem. This method helps the students share ideas and learn from each other.
#9. Use of Technology
This is all about using digital tools and apps to enhance the teaching and learning process.
Here teachers are to use educational apps to teach spelling or show interactive videos for science experiments.
Not only that, as a teacher, you can also make use of an interactive whiteboard to make learning more exciting.
#10. Inquiry-Based Learning
This method is quite rare but can seem to be productive if used appropriately and in perfect scenarios.
The teacher encourages the students to ask questions and look for the answers.
This method can be used for any subject. For example, the teacher can start a science lesson by asking, “Why do plants need sunlight?”
Allow the students to research or experiment to find the answer.
The learning should be active and exciting.
Related stories
#11. Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement deals with rewarding students for their efforts and achievements.
How to use it?
Encourage (give praise), stickers, or small rewards when students perform well or show improvement.
For instance, say, “Great job!” when a student answers correctly or completes a task.
Final Thoughts
In this guide, we have been able to explore the 11 most effective teaching methods for primary school teachers. As a teacher, understand your students to know which of the teaching methods are appropriate for learners.
If you find this guide useful and helpful, kindly share it with others on your social media handles.
Also, we implore you to subscribe to our Dailylight YouTube channel for valuable educational videos and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp channel, and Google News for personal development tips, updates on scholarships, jobs, relevant news updates, crypto news, and business trends.