Responsive Teaching

Abstract

By focusing on one student, this case study illustrated ways that successful teachers invitedsuccess and may help other teachers create connections with students. This study chronicled onestudent’s responses to her teachers’ efforts to engage her during a teaching activity. Data frominterviews, observations, and work samples showed how the connections she made with teachers,classmates, and information shaped her understanding on content. During this activity, Mariahdeveloped personal connections with concepts which helped her understand ideas at a deeperlevel. Teachers encouraged these connections by differentiating instruction in a personal way asthey identified Mariah’s learning strengths, tapped her interests, and extended her thoughts.