Gradual Release Model

          I loved learning about the Gradual Release Model. I was never sure how to actually teach things to students before I learned about this. When I did Junior Achievement, I had to teach the students lessons, they never really went well. I would always try to explain the activity to the students and they were always confused. I felt like they weren’t really learning anything. I was actually getting really discouraged and thought maybe I won’t be a good teacher! But this model would have really helped me with the Junior Achievement lessons, and will help me in the future. This model gives me a structure to follow when I’m teaching, to ensure that I’m teaching explicitly.  The gradual release model is: I do it, we do it, ya’ll do it, and you do it. This allows students to be properly scaffolded when learning something new. Another thing I think is really important is that you might have to stay in one section of the gradual release model for longer than others. When I’m a future teacher, I will use formative assessment to evaluate whether or not my students need extra time in a certain part of the Gradual Release Model. I will also realize I need to be flexible with my planning and schedule, because if students need more time, I will need to adjust my lesson and the rest of the day accordingly. (REC 2.E, 5.3)