Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 332 Unit 4 The Teacher PHILOSOPHY of TEACHING Think about… The following questions can help you on your journey to writing your philosophy of education. Reflect on the questions. What specific teaching methods do you find most useful? Why? Cite specific examples. Write and discuss… Take a few minutes to reflect on your thoughts about these questions. Jot down your responses. Then, discuss your responses in teams or with the class. Take note of additional ideas for future reference and reflection throughout the text. You quickly develop an instinct for what will work well and what will not. (Of course, there are always surprises, too!) In the meantime, as you gain experience, you can use a checklist like the following to help you make appropriate choices (Figure 14.23). Meets objective(s) or learning outcomes Is age and developmentally appropriate Meets varying learning style needs Includes all students in learning process Engages students’ interest Respects cultural differences Is appropriate for the subject matter and topic Allows for active involvement in learning Promotes thinking skills Allows appropriate reinforcement of content Allows for completion within available time Works in available space Uses available resources/materials Matches teacher’s experience and skills Checklist for Choosing a Teaching Strategy Figure 14.23 Using a checklist for choosing teaching strategies is especially helpful for teachers as they get to know their students.