Interactive Modeling: A Powerful Technique for Teaching Children

by Margaret B. Wilson

You'll spend less time reteaching, and your students will spend more time learning.

Use Interactive Modeling to teach academic and social skills, routines, transitions, use of materials—any behavior, skill, or routine that needs to be done in a specific way. When teachers use this technique, children quickly learn what to do, and they remember better.

Unlike conventional modeling, Interactive Modeling gives children an active role, which helps them stay engaged and better remember what they learned. It uses a seven-step format that entails showing children exactly what to do, helping them notice key elements, and giving them practice while the teacher coaches. This format makes Interactive Modeling an efficient way to help children learn to carry out a procedure or routine correctly and remember it for next time.

Specialist teachers, parents, coaches, and any other adults who work with children can adapt and use this technique.

This book includes sample lessons, scripts, a planning guide, and a summary of research on the principles behind Interactive Modeling.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development

204 pages, Paperback

First published August 8, 2012

Reviews

[Amy Calkins]

Motivated me to use thIs teaching skill much more next year. Great examples.

[Zach]

Interactive modeling is an incredibly effective teaching technique with a wide range of applications, and this books gives the reader a thorough background and the confidence to implement it -- with many sample scripts to boot.

[Andrea]

This offered a simple yet effective method for teaching new skills, both academic and interpersonal. I am excited to try this process in my own classroom. It offers suggestions for every subject, including specials, and for different social situations.

[Julie]

Each chapter included valuable examples of Interactive Modeling in Action for the chapter topic. The appendix also includes sample scripts by grade level. The scripts provide the necessary components to become confident in using the strategy of Interactive Modeling.

[Erlyne]

Very similar to The First Six Weeks of School from Responsive Classroom, but very practical and helpful. This is the kind of book that new and experienced teachers alike can use.