1. One Size Fits All Teaching is Not the Answer
By: Carly Matteson

2. What is it? One-Size-Fits-All Teaching Approach:
This approach can be defined as an instructional approach that has standardized material and is not tailored to any individual(s) needs.

3. Why Doesn’t It Work? Not adapted to children’s needs
We can’t assume every child learns the same
We have diverse classrooms
More now than ever many students from all different backgrounds
Creates struggling students
If students are not understanding they stay quiet and never learn the required material to move on to the next grade
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

4. Causes Low Quality Teachers
This has been caused because of the loss of so many teachers
This basic lack of qualified teachers has been identified by UNESCO as the major barrier to providing access to quality education for all the world's children.
Teachers are not getting paid enough to stay where they are

5. Causes Continued… Overcrowded Classrooms
Most classrooms have an average of students
Each one of these students has their own way of learning
Lack of funds for this many students

6. Causes Continued…
Arkansas (school) standards are being pushed more than ever
Teachers must accommodate to the changing laws for education
They are required to give certain materials
Forced to aim instruction on what will be assessed, not student interest

7. Tips to Avoid This Approach
Student Interest Survey
Use their interests to aim the lessons in a different direction
Student Learning Survey
Beginning of the year see where they are at with learning
Don’t use just textbooks
PowerPoints
Interactive Whiteboards
Internet Games
Online texts/articles
Customized Lesson Plans
Create your own for originality
Makes lesson less repetitive/boring
Assess learning at end of lessons
Exit Slips
Find new ways to incorporate technology
This generation is tech savvy and they find interest in computers/online activities
Wrap their attention with something they are good at

8. Be the Change! Outdated Material Think of personal experience
We’ve all had that teacher that lectures in front of us and teaches directly from the book
Too difficult material
Students lose interest and become bored when they do not understand
LOOK FOR SIGNS!
Outdated Material
Don’t expect students to keep interest in material that is way outdated
Use these tips and find your own way to spice up your classroom! Your students will appreciate your hard work!

9. Teaching in Diverse Classrooms
Assess student levels at the very beginning
Make each student feel like an individual
Group work
Allows students of different learning levels to learn from one another
Exit Slips
Allows teacher to assess students learning at the end of each lesson and see where they need to adjust their lesson plans

10. Final Thoughts
Don’t teach with the one-size-fits all model 01
Be the teacher that is original and engages students in their learning 02
Don’t get discouraged when students aren’t learning the material, modify to their needs 03
Pay attention to cues given by all students and students individually 04
Be open to feedback and criticism for your classroom 05

11. Demonstrating Mastery is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Process
Here is a short video clip showing how in Ashley Howard’s classroom teaching does not need to be one-size-fits-all! In fact, students show mastery and learning when it’s not this way!

12. References
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quality-doesnt-work