Teaching Strategies for the Classroom

Overhead Projector

Overhead projectors have always been popular teaching tools. They allow the teacher to present and model written material to the whole class at the same time.

Considerations

• Keep the projector in an accessible location so that it is easy to set up.
• Keep the owner’s manual and refer to it when needed.
• Take care with the cord placement. Tripping over the cord could cause an accident, resulting in injury and/or damage to the projector.
• Look for overhead instructional sets, especially for math (for example, money sets, shape sets, fractions). Keep these sets in a storage container near the overhead projector for easy access.
• Keep working “overhead pens” in a variety of colors near the projector.
• Make sure you have a working bulb and an extra bulb for backup.
• Use overhead transparency sheets. These can be held under running water and rinsed clean.
• Make copies on overhead transparency sheets to model work for students. These can be stored in plastic sleeves, which can be written on with overhead markers. Rinse the sleeves clean and store them in a binder for future use.
• Use overhead transparencies with small groups of students so that they can record their work on them and then present it to the class.
• Keep a roll of paper towels and a spray bottle of water handy for cleaning the projector.

ELMO Projector or Document Reader

An ELMO projector or document reader can transmit images directly from a document hard copy, a computer screen, or even what is on a teacher’s desk to a large screen for viewing by the entire class. This type of equipment is a valuable teaching tool, because it allows students to see actual demonstrations of lessons. More and more, it is replacing the overhead projector in the classroom.

Considerations

• Set up the equipment and practice with it before using it with the children.
• Take care with the cord placement. Tripping over the cord could cause an accident, resulting in injury and/or damage to the equipment.
• If a bulb “dies,” turn off the equipment, let it rest for a few minutes, and then try again. A bulb may fail temporarily but not yet be burned out. Bulbs can be expensive, and it’s worth it to try to avoid unnecessary replacement.
• When not in use, the equipment should be turned off to conserve the bulb’s life.
• Always store the equipment in a secure place.

LCD Projector

An LCD projector allows teachers to display many types of media, including pictures, images, student-made videos, PowerPoint presentations, and lecture notes—all of which can be stored on a laptop computer. You can even type in students’ oral contributions during discussions for immediate display. 

Considerations

• Set up the projector and practice with it before using it with the children.
• Establish a connection between the laptop and the projector, typically by pressing the F5 key and the command key simultaneously.
• Use an adapter that comes with a Mac laptop in order to connect the laptop to the LCD projector.
• Use the projector for computer instruction of programs like Microsoft Word. If students are sitting at individual computers, they can follow the lesson and practice each step as it is modeled on the LCD projector.

Teacher Tools Station

Establishing a teacher tools station with everything you need right at your fingertips is important for smooth delivery of instruction. This can be a drawer storage bin on wheels positioned next to either the teacher’s seat or the presentation equipment (such as an overhead projector or ELMO projector). It could also be a designated drawer of your desk if you do most of your presenting at your desk.

Considerations

• Practice your planned daily routine: Think to yourself, “What do I need to present this lesson?” Stock your teacher tools station accordingly.
• Suggested tools for your teacher tools station include the following:
  • Stapler, staples, masking tape, Scotch tape, paper clips, and scissors
  • Tissues, paper towels, lined and plain paper, Post-it Notes, notepaper, pens, pencils, erasers, and markers
  • Word cards, math flash cards, and extra blank word cards
  • Dry-erase markers and cleaning spray if using a whiteboard
  • Stickers, rewards, and incentives that you are using (tickets, coupons, tokens)