The theorist that I would most associate myself with would be a combination of

Zygotsky and Holdaway. Lev Zygotsky believed most in the Zone of Proximal
Development (ZPD). The Zone of Proximal Development is finding the learning stop
where the students are comfortable on their own. When the teacher is working with the
students, one on one or in a whole group, they are able to push the student slightly
above where the student feels most comfortable. But when a teacher is engaging the
students in a whole new topic, that is where I feel Holdaway fits best. Holdaway’s
philosophy is best described as “I do, you watch” all the way through “you do, I watch”
touching back on gradual release of responsibility as the student learns and implements
what is being taught. This can be seen in my ED 215 lesson plan where I demonstrate
to the students what to do when they come across unfamiliar vocabulary. Once the
lesson was completed, I spoke with several students who were able to, with guidance,
understand challenging words within a text using demonstrated techniques.

The Advanced Alverno Ability of Conceptualization states that a perspective teacher is

able to explore situations while using a variety of frameworks to meet the needs that the
students have now as well as in the future. With Vygotsky’s theory in mind, I am able to
better assist the students to meet their differing needs by looking at each student’s ZPD.
No two students learn or develop at the same rate which is where he crosses paths with
Holdaway. With Holdaway’s theory in mind, a teacher is able to demonstrate a few
different techniques and the students can gravitate toward which one they feel most
comfortable with. As the student progresses that is where the teacher can see the
transformation of understanding, and implementation, of the material take place.