Donna McNear presented 45 teaching strategies that can be implemented in 60 minutes to improve effective teaching. The strategies focus on systematic instructional planning, managing instruction delivery, and evaluating results. Some key strategies include being systematic with an overall instructional approach, increasing frequency and variety, using quick tasks, considering student access to materials and proximity, providing models and independent practice, and collecting student data to adjust instruction. The presentation provided strategies for teaching students who are blind, have low vision, or have additional disabilities. The overall approach is to work smart by making instruction meaningful, collaborative, results-focused, and effective.

1. Working
SMART
45 Teaching
Strategies in 60
Minutes
donna.mcnear@gmail.com
Shared by
Donna McNear

2. About Presenter
Donna McNear, MA, COMS Independent Consultant
Technical assistance
• Program improvement
• Instructional coach
• Mentor
• Teacher trainer
• Adjunct faculty UMASS Boston
• Activist

3. Objectives
1. Identify strategies to improve effective teaching
2. Implement strategies to improve student results
3. Increase collaborative strategies with parents and
all team members

4. About
Presentation
Sharing “gold
nuggets”
• Blind/Braille
• Low Vision
• Additional
Disabilities
• All ages
• All content
• All environments

5. Working SMART
Systematically
Meaningful to students & families
Arranged collaboratively
Results focused
Teaching effectively

6. Informing Our Work
Competing
priorities for our
time with children

7. Gold Nuggets
Accomplished teachers
focus on instruction
They are able to describe
what they teach, where
they teach, how the
teach, why they teach

8. Strategy #1
Be
systematic
with an
overall
approach to
instruction
Reflective
Practice
Instructional
Coaching
Collaboration
Effective
Instruction

9. Agenda
Plan Instruction
Manage Instruction
Deliver Instruction
Evaluate Instruction

10. Instructional Planning Tool
More than a
“handout”

11. Overall Instructional Strategies

12. Strategy #2
Increase
frequency

13. Strategy #3
• Variety of
presentation
methods
• Variety of
materials
• Variety of
formats
Increase Variety

14. Strategy #4
Use
“Quick
Tasks”

15. Physical environment: Plan with detail

16. Strategy #5
Begin with
furniture

17. Strategy #6
Create
student
access to
materials

18. Strategy #7
Consider
proximity

19. Instructional Variables

20. Strategy #8
Evolve:
Initial to
mastery
“Supportive” Instruction

21. Strategy #9 Think “Levels of
Instruction”

22. Strategy #10
Provide
independent
practice

23. Strategy #11
Use
procedures
& routines

24. Strategy #12
Provide a
model

25. Strategy #13
Find the
“sweet spot”
Use Task analysis

26. Strategy #14
Use
incentives

27. Strategy #15
Use explicit praise
Limit question
asking
Use "Tell me"
“show me”
Use varied prompts

28. Strategy #16
Create
turn-taking
opportunities

29. About blind/braille

30. Strategy #17
Focus on what
fits under
fingertips
Tactile discrimination

31. Strategy #18
Poster prompts

32. Strategy #19 Teach copying

33. Strategy #20
Anchor
materials

34. About low vision

35. Strategy #21
Begin
accommodations
early

36. Strategy #22
Think
multiple
solutions

37. Strategy #23
Provide
specialized
instruction

38. Additional learning challenges

39. Strategy #24
Highly
preferred

40. Strategy #25
Individualize
content

41. Strategy #26
Provide
intensive
training
supports

42. Working SMART: Review
Systematically
Meaningful to students & families
Arranged collaboratively
Results focused
Teaching effectively

43. Agenda
Plan Instruction
Manage Instruction
Deliver Instruction
Evaluate Instruction

44. Strategy #27 Evaluate accuracy/detail

45. Strategy #28
Think
formative
and
summative

46. Strategy #29
Reading &
writing in…
• ELA
• Math
• Non-
academics
• Home
Variety of Contexts

47. Strategy #30
Collect
data
systematically
Data Wednesday

48. Strategy #31
Adjust
instruction

49. Agenda
Plan Instruction
Manage Instruction
Deliver Instruction
Evaluate Instruction

50. Strategy #32
Apply
integrated
instruction

51. Strategy #33
Use
rubrics

52. Strategy #34
Use
curriculum
as a
foundation

53. Strategy #35
Plan
access/
accommodations

54. Strategy #36
Plan
participation

55. Strategy #37
Plan for
collaboration

56. Strategy #38
“Make
Two”
Materials

57. Strategy #39
Be prepared
for
“real-time”
instruction

58. Agenda
Plan Instruction
Manage Instruction
Deliver Instruction
Evaluate Instruction

59. Strategy #40
Consider
all
environments
all
subjects

60. Strategy #41
Vary
schedule

61. Strategy #42
“Chunk”
for
change

62. Strategy #43
Peer
supports
Multi-age

63. Strategy #44
Community-
based
“touch
tours”

64. Strategy #45
Make it
yours
Instructional Planning
Tool

65. Working SMART: Review
Systematically
Meaningful to students & families
Arranged collaboratively
Results focused
Teaching effectively

66. Thank You
Donna McNear
donna.mcnear@gmail.com