A willingness to bring new teaching strategies into your lesson plan is one of the.docx
1. A willingness to bring new teaching strategies into the lesson plan is one of
the best qualities a teacher can have.
According to the educational researchers of Naga Subramani in Effective
Teaching and Learning an effective teacher “Constantly renews himself [or herself]
as a professional on his [or her] quest to provide students with the highest quality
of education possible. This teacher has no fear of learning new teaching
strategies or incorporating new technologies into lessons.”
There are some classroom teaching strategies and techniques that can be use
to have a better lesson.
Classroom management strategies
According to research from 2006, teachers overwhelmingly reported a lack of
professional development support when it came to improving their
own classroom management strategies. This can lead to confusion for students
and frustration for teachers.
When students clearly understand what’s expected of them, they’re more likely to
be focused and engaged with their lessons. Some tips for building a positive
environment include:
Model ideal behaviour: Clearly explain proper behaviour, and then
follow it yourself.
Encourage initiative: Allow students to actively participate in the
learning process with class discussions and exercises that support the
initiative.
Avoid collective punishment: While it can be difficult, make a point of
calling out disruptive behaviours on an individual, not collective, basis.
2. For more actionable classroom management teaching strategies, read 20
Classroom Management Strategies and Techniques [+Downloadable List].
2. Flexible seating
Kristine Fourman, a teacher in the Bucyrus Elementary Preschool Program,
connects student seating and academics: “When students aren’t trying to hold
themselves still in their chairs, they can integrate auditory, visual and tactile
systems of the body.”
There are so many different ways to incorporate flexible seating into your
classroom in a way that fits with your students’ learning goals. For examples and
best practices, read Flexible Seating: 21 Awesome Ideas for Your Classroom.
3. Webb's Depth of Knowledge
Norman Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DoK)is familiar to many teachers from a
theoretical perspective, but it can be incredibly difficult to apply practically and
consistently in your teaching strategies.
3. There are four DoK levels:
Level one: Recollection and reproduction
Level two: Knowledge application
Level three: Strategic thinking
Level four: Extended critical thinking
There are a number of engaging activities that can promote different DoK levels:
read more about them in Specific Ways to Use Webb’s Depth of Knowledge in Class.
4. Summative assessment
Summative assessments are end-of-unit tests, final projects or standardized tests
used to assess student understanding on a broad and absolute level.
4. Critics of summative assessments say they’re inauthentic and don’t accurately
reflect the learning process. But there are important benefits to using summative
assessments as a teaching strategy: they motivate students to pay attention and
challenges them to apply their learning. They’re also a valuable source of insight for
teachers, especially for those with larger classes -- allowing them to easily identify
and correct any wide gaps in understanding across the classroom.
Don’t be afraid to get creative when making summative assessments!
Read Summative Assessment: A Comprehensive Guide for ideas on how to get
students engaged with the testing process.
5. Formative assessment
Formative assessments are the opposite of summative assessments because
they take place during the teaching process.
Formative Assessment
Occurs through chapter or unit
Improves how students learn
Covers small content areas
Monitors how students are learning
Focuses on process of student learning
Summative Assessment
Occurs at end of chapter or unit
Evaluates what students learn
Covers complete content areas
Assigns a grade to students’ understanding
Emphasizes the product of student learning
5. Formative assessments can reduce student stress around testing. They give you the
chance to course correct mid-unit if there are serious comprehension issues and to
see which students might need a bit more one-on-one time.
Some examples of formative assessment techniques include:
Think-pair-share
Entry and exit tickets
Self-evaluation techniques
For more examples and ideas, read 20 Formative Assessment Examples to Try
[+Downloadable List].
6. Active learning
6. Put students at the center of the classroom with active learning strategies — a
teaching technique that increases student engagement in daily lessons. According
to active learning advocate James Ballencia, the technique can also help teachers as
much as it helps students:
“With the goal of teaching mindful learners who actively pursue knowledge,
teachers become more actively engaged in how they teach the curriculum and how
they develop each student’s learning potential. They mix and match a variety of …
tactics to ensure that students not only learn more, better, and faster -- they also
learn smarter.”
Some active learning strategies include:
Reciprocal questioning: Have students come up with questions for the
class on a recent lesson or concept.
The pause procedure: Take a break every 10 to 15 minutes so that
students have time to discuss, ask questions or solve problems.
Muddiest point: Ask students to write down which point in the lesson is
the least clear to them.
For more active learning strategies, read 8 Active Learning Strategies and
Examples [+ Downloadable List].
7. Differentiated instruction
Differentiated instruction is a popular and effective teaching strategy that
involves reacting to the diverse learning styles in every classroom with adjusted
content and processes.
Carol Ann Tomlinson, a reputable thought leader on differentiated instruction,
recommends analyzing teaching strategies on a constant basis to respond to needs:
7. “Frequently reflect on the match between your classroom and the philosophy of
teaching and learning you want to practice. Look for matches and mismatches, and
use both to guide you.”
Strategies like learning stations and the think-pair-share method are small ways
that you can bring unique learning experiences to your students.
For more differentiated instruction ideas, read 20 Differentiated Instruction
Strategies and Examples [+ Downloadable List].
8. Personalized learning
No two students are exactly alike. That’s why personalized learning builds a
learning experience that addresses the unique abilities of each student.
8. According to a study by the Gates Foundation, personalized learning can improve
test scores when used to supplement math class:
“Students attending [schools using personalized learning] made gains in math and
reading over the last two years that are significantly greater than a virtual control
group made up of similar students selected from comparable schools.”
Personalized learning allows students to learn without stigma and gets students
involved in what they’re learning.
Explore different options for bringing personalized learning to your classroom,
including Edtech teaching strategies and increased student involvement. For a full
list of tips, read 7 Personalized Learning Strategies and Examples.
9. Universal design for learning
Universal design for learning (UDL) is an educational framework that ensures all
students have equal access to education. Use it in your classroom to give unique
students flexible ways to learn and become more goal-oriented.
Some best practices for UDL:
Know the strengths and weaknesses of your students
Provide flexible classrooms
Adapt information for multilingual students
UDL gives all students an impactful learning experience and helps teachers focus
their efforts on students who need it most. For more information on how to make
sure all your students succeed, read Universal Design for Learning: Principles and
Examples.
9. 10. Response to intervention
Response to intervention (RTI) focuses on early and continuous identification,
assessment and assistance for students who have learning or behaviour needs. It’s
best used as part of a more general classroom management plan, and involves
small-group or individual intervention that quickly addresses trouble spots.
The most effective RTI strategies are proactive. Start with everyday teaching and
move to targeted intervention as soon as you spot a problem. When you’re
prepared to move quickly, you’re more likely to be able to develop a tailored and
effective learning plan.
For more information on RTI strategies and tips for bringing them to your
classroom, read The Teacher’s Response to Intervention (RTI) Guide: Tiers,
Strategies and More.
11. Classroom technology
Technology is a great way to improve student engagement and get students
excited for class, but it can be difficult to incorporate seamlessly into the classroom.
There are an endless number of ways to make use technology to enhance lessons,
including:
A virtual field trip: Use virtual reality apps to explore famous landmarks
and natural phenomena. Take a trip to the Great Barrier Reef to study
ecosystems, or tour Barcelona as part of a Spanish class.
Video mini-lessons: TeacherTube offers an education-only version of
YouTube, with videos on a number of core subjects. This makes the
learning process more engaging, especially for visual learners.
10. Podcasts: Give students relevant podcasts and engage auditory learners,
or have older students create their own -- they’ll develop research and
technology skills at the same time.
For more ideas on how to use technology in the classroom, read 25 Easy Ways to
Use Technology in the Classroom [+ Downloadable List].
Math teaching strategies and
techniques
12. Math games
Similar to classroom gamification, math games can play an active role in getting
students engaged in class and excited to learn. Offline or online, they’re usually
customizable and easy to incorporate into other teaching strategies.
Some examples of popular math games:
Bouncing Sums: Label a beach ball with integers, decimals and fractions.
Each student must read the number on his or her label, adding or
multiplying it by the sum from the previous student.
101 and out: Divide your class in half and give each group a die. Have
groups roll the die and either keep it at face value or multiply it by 10. See
which group can get closest to 101 without going over.
Math goodies: Math goodies is a free resource that provides puzzles and
word problems. Students can either use this resource on their own or you
can use it to create custom worksheets.
11. For more math games, read 20 Engaging, Skill-Building Math Games for Kids [1st to
8th Grade].
13. Math websites
There are thousands of math websites that can be used as part of a game-based
learning approach or differentiation strategy. Online resources get students excited
about learning math and can often be scaled based on knowledge and grade level.
13. TeacherVision: Looking for interdisciplinary activities? Look no further.
TeacherVision gives teachers access to resources that connect math with
subjects like art, history and geography.
SuperKids: SuperKids is a one-stop resource for building worksheets.
Select a skill and number range, and generate a custom assignment.
Prodigy Math: Students go on adventures, collect pets and battle with
friends, all while answering skill-building, targeted math questions.
Sign up now
For more resources, read 15 Helpful Math Websites for Teachers & 5 to Share with
Kids [+ Downloadable List].
14. Mental math
Is mental math really a teaching strategy? Of course!
Mental math is an important part of math fluency. When students have a quick
recall for math facts and can do simple equations quickly, they have the confidence
to attempt more difficult problems.
The Manitoba Association of Mathematics Teachers defines mental math as:
“A combination of cognitive strategies that enhances flexible thinking and number
sense. It is calculating mentally without the use of external memory aids. It
improves computational fluency by developing efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility.”
There are lots of resources available to boost mental math skills, including:
Mnemonic devices
World problems
Fact fluency games
14. For more ways to practice mental math skills, read 12 Practices to Improve
Students’ Mental Math + Downloadable List.
15. Common Core math
Common Core math is a new framework that seeks to improve students’
conceptual understanding of math by encouraging problem-solving, critical
thinking, and discussion skills.
Since it’s so new, instructors have struggled to prepare materials that align with the
standards. If that’s you, here are some techniques to get you started:
Use modular tools: Younger students can model their problems using
number blocks, and older student can use everyday objects to “act out”
the concepts they’re learning.
Encourage peer discussion: Common Core standards place a large focus
on critical thinking and problem solving — two things that students can
learn by talking through problems with their peers.
Math journals: Writing out the steps they took to solve a problem helps
students to understand where they got stuck. Plus, it’s a great tool for
teachers looking to keep track of student comprehension.
For a detailed explanation of the eight standards and ways to teach them, read 8
Common Core Math Standards, Explained [+ Examples].
16. Solve math problems faster
15. Teaching students to solve math problems quickly and without help can
improve confidence and math fluency.
Provided your students have a solid grasp on the concepts behind what they’ve
already mastered, math “tricks” can give them more confidence and get them
excited about trying new problems.There are tricks for just about every basic
function, including:
Two-step addition and subtraction
Multiplying by powers of 2
Squaring a two-digit number that ends with 1
For a full list of math tricks, read How to Solve Math Problems Faster: 15
Techniques to Show Students.
17. How to teach multiplication
16. Multiplication is a big and often daunting step for learners, who feel like they’ve
just mastered addition and are suddenly being thrown something new. Teachers
also often struggle to communicate new concepts to student effectively.
What if we told you that multiplication could be one of the most rewarding lessons
you ever taught?
Our six-step guide to teaching multiplication is designed to engage students in
the learning processes with a clear and logical progression of ideas. There are lot of
fun ways to teach multiplication and reduce student anxiety, including:
Classroom math games
Fun math books
Math websites
Multiplication doesn’t have to be stressful -- start with basic concepts and work
your way up, and your students will be multiplication masters in no time at all!
18. Multiplication games
Multiplication is a difficult concept for many students to grasp. Memorizing and
understanding core multiplication facts is a key element of math fluency, and
provides an essential foundation for further study.
Game-based learning can be a successful way to help students develop this
understanding and can engage students on stressful topic. Some multiplication
games include:
True or false?: Write a multiplication sentence on the board that’s either
true or false. In teams, the class has a minute to discuss and respond with
“true” or “false” cards.
17. Beach ball toss: Write multiplication questions on a beach ball and throw
it. Have students answer the question that is closest to their pinky finger.
Jeopardy!: It’s a classic for a reason -- find an interactive template and fill
it with questions. The team with the most points at the end of the game,
wins!
For more fun multiplication games, read 15 Multiplication Games to Make Math
Lessons Fun.
19. Multiplying fractions
So your unit on fractions is finished, and it’s time to move on -- to multiplying
fractions.
For some students, this leap is even more daunting than the switch from addition
to multiplication. But not to worry! There are teaching strategies that will have
your students multiplying fractions in no time at all.Some best practices for
teaching your class about multiplying fractions:
Make sure your students understand the foundation and relationship
between improper fractions and mixed numbers, as well as how to
convert them
Use modular tools and visual aids
Have students bring in a favorite recipe and multiply it so that it can feed
the whole class
For a comprehensive overview on how to teach multiplying fractions, read How to
Multiply Fractions (+ 7 Engaging Activities).
20. How to divide fractions
18. The only thing scarier for students than multiplying fractions? Dividing
them.Lucky for them, we did the research. There are three simple steps to dividing
a fraction:
Flip the divisor into a reciprocal
Change the division sign into a multiplication sign and multiply
Simplify if possible
The best way to make sure that students understand how to solve a problem is to
make sure that they understand what, exactly, is happening. Instead of just
teaching the answer, teach students what the answer means. For more details on
dividing fractions, read How to Divide Fractions in 3 Easy Steps.
21. Math puzzles
Math puzzles have been around almost as long as math has — for a reason. One
study found that math puzzles “develop logical thinking, combinatorial abilities,
strengthen the capacity of abstract thinking and operating with spatial images,
instill critical thinking and develop mathematical memory.”Math puzzles build
foundational skills and increase math fluency, while also connecting to existing
curricula and promoting problem-solving skills. Some popular math puzzles
include:
Sudoku
Magic Square
Tower of Hanoi
KenKen
19. Make sure the puzzles are the right level for your students and that they’re being
used appropriately. For more ideas on how to use math puzzles in the classroom,
read 20 Math Puzzles to Engage Your Students.
Student-focused teaching strategies
22. Gamification
Classroom gamification is an effective way to take a child’s love for play and turn
it into a love of learning. The benefits are huge: gamification can help students
focus and build essential skills. A 2011 study from South Korea also found that
gamification kept students motivated and engaged in the classroom.
In order to effectively use gamification techniques in your classroom, start with
your students: What do they like? Where are their learning needs? Are there any
notable behaviour issues? Other tips include:
Structure problems effectively: Gamification works best when
surrounded by clear rules and expectations.
Make sure progress is visible: If students can’t see how far they’ve
come, they might get frustrated.
Create a manual: Make a resource for students that explains the games,
rules, and scoring system.
If you want more examples and techniques for gamifying your classroom,
read How to Gamify your Classroom in 5 Easy Steps.
23. Convergent and divergent thinking
20. Convergent and divergent thinking are two terms coined by American
psychologist JP Guilford in the 1950s.
Convergent thinking means understanding how separate pieces of information
can be used to reach one solution. It’s usually reserved for first or second depth of
knowledge (DOK) levels, and can be used to answer questions that require a
limited range of skills and knowledge (like multiple choice questions).
21. Convergent and divergent thinking are two terms coined by American
psychologist JP Guilford in the 1950s.
Convergent thinking means understanding how separate pieces of information
can be used to reach one solution. It’s usually reserved for first or second DOK
levels, and can be used to answer questions that require a limited range of skills
and knowledge (like multiple choice questions).
Divergent thinking requires students to start with one prompt, then think
critically about it to diverge towards to distinct answers (think essay-writing,
brainstorming and creative analyzing). This takes place at the third or fourth DOK
level.
While convergent thinking is an important part of building math fluency, divergent
thinking allows students to understand the base concepts underlying their
work. Convergent and divergent thinking are essential skills in any
subject. When you understand the difference, you’re better equipped to
incorporate both into your classroom.
For more examples of each and how to teach them, read How to Teach Convergent
and Divergent Thinking: Definitions, Examples, Templates and More.
24. Project-based learning
Students have to take an active role in their own learning, but are often disengaged
from the learning process. Project-based learning allows students to be fully
immersed in an authentic and nuanced problem that has real-life implications.
Project-based learning is open-ended, and allows students engaged in group work
to find their own way to the solution. It doesn’t look the same in every classroom --
22. class size, student ability and learning styles play a large role in shaping the
process.
While proponents point to increased engagement, knowledge retention and
improved critical thinking, there are also significant criticisms: Project-based
learning can be too focused on product creation instead of learning, and
assessment is often subjective.
To learn how to effectively incorporate project-based learning techniques into your
classroom, read The Definitive Guide to Project-Based Learning: Definition,
Debates, Ideas and Examples.
25. Experiential learning
Every classroom has a wide range of levels and learning styles, which can be
difficult for any teacher to effectively address. Use experiential learning activities
to counter student disengagement and get them involved in the learning process.
Traditional learning activities
Teacher-centered/focused
Fixed rubric or scoring system
Explain knowledge or skills by transferring information
Fixed structure, high degree of facilitation
Experiential learning activities
Student-centered/focused
Flexible and open learning outcomes
Develop knowledge and skills through experience
Flexible structure, minimum facilitation
23. Provide students with new ways of learning to help them stay focused, learn
dynamically and learn faster.
Engage students in the process of inquiry and reflection! Ask them to create three
to five questions (with answers) on a recent lesson. In pairs, have students quiz
their partners on the questions they wrote, and watch to see which concepts
students consider to be the most important from their lesson.
For more experiential learning activities, read 7 Experiential Learning Activities to
Engage Students.
26. Peer teaching
Proponents have been pointing to the advantages of peer teaching since the 18th
century. It's one of many teaching strategies that helps develop reasoning and
24. critical thinking skills, and a pioneering 1988 study found it improved self-esteem
and interpersonal skills.
It can be difficult, however, to bring it to the classroom -- students might have
different proficiency levels or be hesitant about teaching their peers, and it can lead
to confidentiality issues about which students are struggling.
Some best practices for peer teaching include:
Explaining to students how to give feedback
Providing written prompts to guide discussion
Running classwide peer editing sessions
For more ideas on how to successfully bring peer teaching to your classroom,
read 15 Easy Peer Teaching Strategies to Help Students.
27. Inquiry-based learning
Inquiry-based learning has been around since the 1960s, but can still be a
demanding teaching strategy to implement in the classroom.
In the inquiry-based learning classroom, teachers are responsible for guiding
students through their questions — past curiosity and into critical thinking and
understanding.
There are 4 main types of inquiry-based learning:
Confirmation inquiry: Students are given a question along with a way to
answer it
Structured inquiry: Students are given an open question and
investigation method
25. Guided inquiry: Students work from an open question to design
investigation methods
Open inquiry: Students develop original questions that they answer
through their own methods
A study from the Association for Psychological Science found that students who use
inquiry-based learning are more likely to retain information from the activity and
curriculum content in general.
For more benefits and examples of inquiry-based learning, as well as how to
effectively use it in your classroom, read All About Inquiry-Based Learning:
Definition, Benefits and Strategies.
28. Problem-based learning
Problem-based learning is a student-centred pedagogy that puts students in
groups to solve open-ended problems together. This teaching strategy has its
advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
Develop long-term knowledge retention
Use diverse instruction types
Students are continuously engaged
Develop transferable skills
Improve teamwork skills
Disadvantages
Potentially poor test results
Student unpreparedness
26. Teacher unpreparedness
Assessment is time-consuming
Might not be relevant/applicable
Even taking into account the different opinions on problem-based learning, there is
an undeniable value in giving students a degree of control over their own
education.
For more ideas about problem-based learning and tips for designing projects,
read 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Problem-Based Learning [+ Activity
Design Steps].
30. Reciprocal teaching
Reading isn't every student’s favorite subject. With reciprocal
teaching techniques, you can turn even the most reluctant reader into a
bookworm.
Reciprocal teaching involves students in reading and gets them excited to learn.
Learners are asked to predict what a text is about, ask questions about what they
don’t understand, re-read for clarification, and summarize what the text is saying
-- instead of just absorbing material as quickly as possible.
And the technique can even be adapted for math class: one study found that
reciprocal teaching in math can improve understanding of word-based problems,
and can help students understand questions better.
For more ideas about reciprocal teaching, read 4 Reciprocal Teaching Strategies to
Use.
31. Blended learning
27. Blended learning combines online learning with traditional classroom instruction.
It’s a valuable tool to use in differentiation teaching strategies, and can help
students learn tailored content at their own pace.
There are a number of different ways to bring blended learning to your classroom,
but some common methods include implementing learning stations and putting
certain lessons online in part or entirely.
With many classrooms supporting hybrid learning environments in the last two
years, blended learning has become a more common teaching strategy across
classrooms.
For more information on the six blended learning models and how to use them
with your students, read How to Put the Six Blended Learning Models into Action
[+ Examples & Download].
32. Culturally responsive teaching
Diverse classrooms are an amazing opportunity for teachers, but it can also be
difficult to reach students with dramatically different backgrounds or learning
styles.
Culturally responsive teaching aims to link content with students’ contemporary
and ancestral cultures.
Research by Geneva Gay, Professor of Education at the University of Washington-
Seattle and author of Culturally Responsive Teaching, shows that when teaching is
tied to lived experiences for students, those experiences are more personally
meaningful, appealing and learned more easily and thoroughly.
Dr. Christy Byrd, psychologist and Associate Professor at NC State University, has
also published research which found that "elements of culturally relevant teaching
28. were significantly associated with academic outcomes and ethnic-racial identity
development."
Start by getting to know your students — where do they come from? What do their
parents or guardians do? What’s their favorite after-school activity?
Then, take that information and connect it to your lessons. Explain how a topic
relates to different cultures, and make sure the classroom is a place where all
students feel empowered. Encourage students to ask questions and share unique
answers.
Other options for culturally responsive teaching include:
Creating relevant word problems
Promoting positive media portrayals
29. Involving parents
For the full list, read 15 Culturally-Responsive Teaching Strategies and Examples +
Downloadable List.
33. Interdisciplinary teaching
Use interdisciplinary teaching strategies to encourage students to develop
creative and critical thinking skills — and draw information from a number of
different academic disciplines — as they solve real-world problems.
In your classroom, interdisciplinary teaching could involve collaboration with
other teachers, or asking your students to make connections between different
subjects. Try these activities to get your class started:
News analysis: Play a news clip or hand out an article that discusses a
local, national or international topic. Ask students to solve a related
question using skills they’ve learned in other classes.
All About Weather: Look at the impact of weather and climate on the
labour, agriculture and customs of other societies. This gives students a
chance to learn about different cultures from a scientific and social
standpoint.
Historical Pen Pals: Combine creative writing and history by having
students take on the role of a historical figure and write to classmates
about challenges her or she faced. Give students a variety of sources to
improve their research skills at the same time.
For more interdisciplinary teaching activities and tips on how to get started,
read 10 Interdisciplinary Teaching Activities and Examples [+ Unit Design Steps].
30. 34. Service learning
According to the National Youth Leadership Council, service learning is “a
philosophy, pedagogy and model for community development that is used as an
instructional strategy to meet learning goals and/or content standards.”
Service learning brings the classroom into the larger community and teaches
students about the value of being an active citizen. Students get hands-on
experience in interdisciplinary study, and often improve their academic outcomes
and reduce behavioural problems.
Service learning contains five steps: Preparation, Action, Reflection,
Demonstration, Celebration
Pick an issue that your class is passionate about and get them brainstorming. For
more service learning project ideas and how to get started, read The Teacher’s
Guide to Service Learning [+5 Examples].
35. Media literacy
Students are saturated with an endless number of different media influences, from
TV to social media to comic books. Students need to be educated on how to
interpret and understand what they’re consuming.
Media literacy allows students to recognize bias and develop critical thinking
skills within the context of their existing interests. Some activities you can try in
your classroom include:
Logo dissection: Have students bring in a few different logos of popular
brands, and ask them to interpret what they think it means. What type of
31. customer is the company looking for? What do they value? Why did they
choose that color or shape?
Build a cereal brand: This activity challenges students to use their math,
art and media literacy skills. Provide a sheet of questions to guide
students and improve learning outcomes
Deconstruct advertising language: Explore and critique advertising
claims that companies make. Pass out magazines and online ads for
students to examine and analyze.
There are lots of other ways to teach valuable media literacy lessons to students --
check out our Teaching Media Literacy: Its Importance and 10 Engaging Activities
[+ Downloadable List] blog post for more ideas.
36. Growth Mindset
Even though it sounds more like a corporate buzzword, the philosophy of growth
mindset has infiltrated the classroom. It focuses on helping students see the value
of effort, persistence and risk in their learning environment, and pushes them to try
new things and learn new concepts.
Since growth mindset is a relatively new teaching strategy, some teachers might
struggle to use it effectively. Here are some best practices:
Give positive feedback: Instead of rewarding intellect, praise students
when they try new methods and make plans.
Promote a diverse classroom: When diversity is modelled for students,
they’re more likely to embrace different perspectives in their future
learning goals.
Encourage goal-based journaling: Ask students set goals and reflect on
their progress. Have goals follow the SMART method
32. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Based) for maximum
effect.
For more ways to encourage a growth mindset in your classroom, read 10 Ways
Teachers can Instill a Growth Mindset in Students. Your students will benefit for
the rest of their lives.
Resources for effectively using
teaching strategies
Google
Books, scholarly articles, maps, news coverage — if there’s something you need to
do, there’s probably a Google application for it. Use Google Forms to collect student
feedback on new teaching strategies, Google Drive to store and coordinate student
papers, and Google Arts & Culture to visit the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam —
without ever leaving the classroom.
Prodigy
With two games — Prodigy Math and Prodigy English — the applications are
endless!
Use Assignments and Plans to differentiate learning, track student growth through
comprehensive reporting tools, engage students through game-based learning, or
use it as part of a blended learning approach.
Students will love practising their math and English skills with these free games.
33. In Prodigy Math, they’ll go on adventures, collect pets and earn rewards; in Prodigy
English, they'll gather supplies, gain energy and create their personal village — all
while answering curriculum-aligned questions tailored to their individual
skill levels.
Sign up now
Student feedback
In order to know which teaching strategies will be the most effective, ask your
students to provide you with some feedback: What do they like? How do they think
they learn best? What do they want to learn more about? Students are more likely
to be engaged in the learning process when they have a voice.
34. There are a couple of ways to gather feedback:
Start-stop-continue: Hand out blank sheets of paper, and ask students to
respond with 1) something they would like you to start doing in the
classroom, 2) something they would like to not see in the classroom
anymore, and 3) a suggestion for an activity or process that they think
would make the classroom better.
Google Forms: Send a form to your students via email, and have them fill
it out (you can choose if you want the responses to be anonymous). Give
them specific questions to help guide their feedback and make your
teaching strategies more effective.
Mid-lesson feedback: Cut out circles of red, green and yellow paper, and
hand one of each out to students. During the lesson, ask how well the class
understands -- green means good, yellow means they might need help
soon, and red means they need help right away.
Professional development
35. In order to be an effective teacher, you need to have access to resources that allow
you to continuously grow your skills. According to a study with teachers from eight
different countries, teachers who had access to professional development were
more likely to effectively use different teaching strategies in their classrooms:
“This suggests that the exchanging of ideas and experience about teaching with
other teachers in the school, observing each other’s classrooms and providing
mutual support increases the likelihood of implementing good teaching strategies.”
Professional development doesn’t alway have to be big -- start by chatting with a
colleague or mentor over a cup of coffee, or reading a blog post for educators about
new teaching techniques.
Teacher journal
36. After gathering all this amazing information from student feedback and
professional development efforts, you’re going to need somewhere to keep track of
it all.
Consider keeping a teaching journal to track student progress, new insights, areas
you think your class might need extra help in and successes you’ve had. Build it up
as a reference for that year’s class, and keep it as a reminder of everything you’ve
accomplished. Bonus: you’ll have a ready-made resource for writing stellar report
card comments.
Parents
Parent involvement in student learning is a key indicator of student success and
performance. Keep parents informed with a quick paper or email newsletter every
month, and let them know about new things happening in the classroom.
Communicate individual issues quickly and effectively to avoid any report card
surprises, but don’t just mention the problems -- make time to give praise or share
news of an achievement.
Final thoughts on teaching practices
and techniques
There are so many different types of teaching strategies available for your
classroom that the options can be overwhelming.
But that’s good news! Your teaching style, students and classroom are all unique —
why shouldn’t your teaching strategies be too?
Start small, and work your way up. Don’t be afraid to try new strategies and see
what works best in your classroom. Not everything’s going to be a good fit, and
37. that’s OK -- keep engaging with your students and you’ll build up lifelong learners
with a passion for knowledge.