Infographic: 20 Classroom Management Strategies and Techniques. Click to expand!

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.
 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.

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.

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

Formative assessments are a 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
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:

“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.

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.
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 for
2019.

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.

Math teaching strategies and techniques

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.
 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].

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.

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.
Popular resources include:

 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: Students go on adventures, collect pets and battle with friends, all while
answering skill-building, targeted math questions -- for free.

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

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

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

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.
 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

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

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

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).
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).

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 -- 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

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 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 it still remains a
misunderstood teaching strategy. 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
 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
 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.

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.
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.

Start by getting to know your students -- where do they come from? What do their
parents do? What’s their favourite 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
 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].

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 literacyallows 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 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.

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
(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
The applications are endless: useAssignmentsandPlansto 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 skills with this free math game. They’ll on
adventures, collect pets and earn rewards, all while answering curriculum-aligned math
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.

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

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 about new teaching
techniques.

Teacher journal
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 that’s OK --
keep engaging with your students and you’ll build up lifelong learners with a passion for
knowledge.