A teacher is walking around the room, reading from her book, and showing students her process for working through difficult words. What teaching technique is she using?

• A. Modeling
• B. Guided practice
• C. Direct instruction
• D. Peer teaching

Answer: (A)

The teacher is demonstrating the technique of modeling. In this scenario, she actively demonstrates her thought process and problem-solving strategies for dealing with difficult words while reading. This approach allows students to observe how a proficient reader handles challenges, providing them with a real-time example of effective reading strategies.

Modeling is particularly valuable in educational settings because it provides a clear example for students, illustrating what they should aim for in their own reading practices. By showing her process, the teacher is not only conveying information but also engaging students in a way that makes abstract concepts more tangible.

In contrast, guided practice involves students performing a task with support, which is not the direct focus here. Direct instruction typically involves explicit teaching of skills without as much demonstration of thought processes, and peer teaching would involve students teaching one another rather than the teacher demonstrating strategies. So, the technique being used in this scenario is specifically modeling.