Mrs. Roark does a good gradual release with her students. When she gives the students instruction on what she is expecting them to do she follows the model of:
Teacher do, Students watch
Teacher does again, Students help
Student do, Teacher helps
Students do, Teacher watches
There was one incident where I got to see a new student enter the classroom the very same day that I started my observation and all the instructions that Mrs. Roark was giving that student she would show them how she wanted everything done. When it came to reading with the child, Mrs. Roark would give instruction and would do it. Over time the child began to catch onto what was being expecting from him Mrs. Roark would gradually rely on the student to do their part until finally she could tell that the child could do everything on their own.
Even though that might not be the best example of what gradually release is, I did notice the importance of this method. Not only is it teaching the child to pay attention to what is going on but you are teaching them how to become young responsible citizens. Since in the ‘real’ world you are on your own I think that this is great preparation to teach the students what is to be expected but it also shows them that their teacher will always be there to help out.
As teachers we should not just expect the students to do everything on their own but to realize that teacher are there to guide and to help during difficult times. Independences is a good thing, and I feel like you can never teach that too young!
xoxo
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