How will you instruct students with varying abilities?

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Teachers constantly need to be cognizant of scaffolding material to meet learners where they are at and, at the same time, challenge those who need an extra push. A classroom of students is full of varying abilities, and you will be responsible for meeting needs, whether that means supporting struggling learners or challenge more skilled learners. Demonstrate your competence and professional knowledge by mentioning a few theories and then go into a little bit of detail for each technique. If you're an experienced teacher, you may also demonstrate your understanding of handling such situations by simply telling the interviewer what you would do.

"You're always going to have students of varying abilities. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and as a teacher, I know I need to be prepared to help struggling students while also challenging students who catch on quickly to new skills. I often mix ability levels when I put students into groups so they can learn from each other. Sometimes, I form groups of similar abilities to check in with students who require more support, and more advanced students can move on to challenge activities together. Other times, I break the class into two groups and instruct each group separately, depending on their needs. Sometimes that means reteaching yesterday's skills with one group while moving on to more complex skills with the other group. I also utilize independent work time to check in with individual students. A mixture of all of these techniques helps me target specific groups of students and give everyone what they need."

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How to Answer: How will you instruct students with varying abilities?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Elementary Teacher job interview.

19. How will you instruct students with varying abilities?

How to Answer

Teachers constantly need to be cognizant of scaffolding material to meet learners where they are at and, at the same time, challenge those who need an extra push. A classroom of students is full of varying abilities, and you will be responsible for meeting needs, whether that means supporting struggling learners or challenge more skilled learners. Demonstrate your competence and professional knowledge by mentioning a few theories and then go into a little bit of detail for each technique. If you're an experienced teacher, you may also demonstrate your understanding of handling such situations by simply telling the interviewer what you would do.

Written by Audra Kresinske on August 22nd, 2021

Answer Example

"You're always going to have students of varying abilities. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and as a teacher, I know I need to be prepared to help struggling students while also challenging students who catch on quickly to new skills. I often mix ability levels when I put students into groups so they can learn from each other. Sometimes, I form groups of similar abilities to check in with students who require more support, and more advanced students can move on to challenge activities together. Other times, I break the class into two groups and instruct each group separately, depending on their needs. Sometimes that means reteaching yesterday's skills with one group while moving on to more complex skills with the other group. I also utilize independent work time to check in with individual students. A mixture of all of these techniques helps me target specific groups of students and give everyone what they need."

Written by Audra Kresinske on August 22nd, 2021

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