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Stop, Think, Breathe.........EDUCATE

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Strategies for Effective Lesson Planning | CRLT

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A lesson plan is the instructor’s road map of what students need to learn and how it will be done effectively during the class time. Before you plan your lesson, you will first need to identify the learning objectives for the class meeting. Then, you can design appropriate learning activities and develop strategies to obtain feedback on student learning. A successful lesson plan addresses and integrates these three key components:

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Looking for some new ways to teach and learn in your classroom? This roundup of instructional strategies examples includes methods that will appeal to all learners and work for any teacher.

What are instructional strategies?

In the simplest of terms, instructional strategies are the methods teachers use to achieve learning objectives. In other words, pretty much every learning activity you can think of is an example of an instructional strategy. They're also known as teaching strategies and learning strategies.

These strategies are sometimes broken into five types: direct, indirect, experiential, interactive, and independent. ( Learn more about the types of instructional strategies here.) But many learning strategies examples fit into multiple categories. The more options teachers have in their tool kit, the easier it will be to help all learners achieve their goals.

Don't be afraid to try new strategies from time to time-you just might find a new favorite! Here are some of the most common instructional strategies examples.

1. Problem-Solving

Source: STEM Activities for Kids

In this indirect learning method, students work their way through a problem to find a solution. Along the way, they must develop the knowledge to understand the problem and use creative thinking to solve it. STEM challenges are terrific examples of problem-solving instructional strategies.

Learn more: Teaching Problem Solving

2. Lecture

This method gets a lot of flack these days for being "boring" or "old-fashioned." It's true that you don't want it to be your only instructional strategy, but short lectures are still very effective learning tools. This type of direct instruction is perfect for imparting specific detailed information or teaching a step-by-step process. And lectures don't have to be boring-just look at TED Talks.

Learn more: Advantages and Disadvantages of Lecturing

3. Didactic Questioning

These are often paired with other direct instruction methods like lecturing. The teacher asks questions to determine student understanding of the material. They're often questions that start with "who," "what," "where," and "when."

Learn more: Asking Questions

4. Demonstration

In this direct instruction method, students watch as a teacher demonstrates an action or skill. This might be seeing a teacher solving a math problem step-by-step, or watching them demonstrate proper handwriting on the whiteboard. Usually, this is followed by having students do hands-on practice or activities in a similar manner.

Learn more: Preparing Effective Demonstrations for the Classroom and Laboratory (PDF)

5. Storytelling

Ever since Aesop's fables, we've been using storytelling as a way to teach. Stories grab students' attention right from the start and keep them engaged throughout the learning process. Real-life stories and fiction both work equally well, depending on the situation.

Learn more: Storytelling in the Classroom

6. Drill & Practice

If you've ever used flash cards to help kids practice math facts, or had your whole class chant the spelling of a word out loud, you've used drill & practice. It's another one of those traditional instructional strategies examples. When kids need to memorize specific information or master a step-by-step skill, drill & practice really works.

Learn more: Drill and Practice

7. Spaced Repetition

Often paired with direct or independent instruction, spaced repetition is a method where students are asked to recall certain information or skills at increasingly longer intervals. For instance, the day after discussing the causes of the American Civil War in class, the teacher might return to the topic and ask students to list the causes. The following week, the teacher asks them once again, and then a few weeks after that. Spaced repetition helps make knowledge stick, and it is especially useful when it's not something students practice each day but will need to know in the long term (such as for a final exam).

Learn more: Spaced Repetition: A Guide to the Technique

8. Project-Based Learning

When kids participate in true project-based learning, they're learning through indirect and experiential strategies. As they work to find solutions to a real-world problem, they develop critical thinking skills and learn by research, trial and error, collaboration, and other experiences.

Learn more: What Is Project-Based Learning?

9. Concept Mapping

Source: Cornell University

Students use concept maps to break a subject down into its main points, and draw connections between these points.

Learn more: Concept Mapping at Cornell University

10. Case Studies

When you think of case studies, law school is probably the first thing that jumps to mind. But this method works at any age, for a variety of topics. This indirect learning method teaches students to use material to draw conclusions, make connections, and advance their existing knowledge.

Learn more: The Case Method

11. Reading for Meaning

This is different than learning to read. Instead, it's when students use texts (print or digital) to learn about a topic. This traditional strategy works best when students already have strong reading comprehension skills. Try our free reading comprehension bundle to give students the ability to get the most out of reading for meaning.

Learn more: Reading for Meaning

12. Science Experiments

Source: Rhythms of Play

This is experiential learning at its best. Hands-on experiments let kids learn to establish expectations, create sound methodology, draw conclusions, and more.

Learn more: Hundreds of Science Experiment Ideas for Kids and Teens

13. Field Trips

Heading out into the real world gives kids a chance to learn indirectly, through experiences. They may see concepts they already know put into practice, or learn new information or skills from the world around them.

Learn more: The Big List of PreK-12 Field Trip Ideas

14. Games

Teachers have long known that playing games is a fun (and sometimes sneaky) way to get kids to learn. You can use specially-designed educational games for any subject. Plus, regular board games ( like these classroom favorites) often involve a lot of indirect learning about math, reading, critical thinking, and more.

Learn more: 10 Benefits to Playing Games in the Classroom

15. Simulations

This strategy combines experiential, interactive, and indirect learning all in one. The teacher sets up a simulation of a real-world activity or experience. Students take on roles and participate in the exercise, using existing skills and knowledge or developing new ones along the way. At the end, the class reflects separately and together on what happened, and what they learned.

Learn more: A Simple Approach to Using Simulations in Any Classroom

16. Service Learning

This is another instructional strategies example that takes students out into the real world. It often involves problem-solving skills and gives kids the opportunity for meaningful social-emotional learning.

Learn more: What Is Service Learning?

17. Peer Instruction

It's often said the best way to learn something is to teach it to others. Studies into the so-called "Protégé Effect" seem to prove it too. In order to teach, you first must understand the information yourself. Then, you have to find ways to share it with others-sometimes more than one way. This deepens your connection to the material, and it sticks with you much longer. Try having peers instruct one another in your classroom, and see the magic in action.

Learn more: Want Students To Remember What They Learn? Have Them Teach It

18. Debate

Source: The New York Times

Some teachers shy away from debate in the classroom, afraid it will become too adversarial. But learning to discuss and defend various points of view is an important life skill. Debates teach students to research their topic, make informed choices, and argue effectively using facts instead of emotion.

Learn more: 100 High School Debate Topics To Engage Every Student

19. Class or Small-Group Discussion

Class, small-group, and pair discussions are all excellent interactive instructional strategies examples. As students discuss a topic, they clarify their own thinking and learn from others' experiences and opinions. Of course, in addition to learning about the topic itself, they're also developing valuable active listening and collaboration skills.

Learn more: 13 Strategies to Improve Classroom Discussions

20. Fishbowl

Take your classroom discussions one step further with the fishbowl method. A small group of students sits in the middle of the class. They discuss and debate a topic, while their classmates listen silently and make notes. Eventually, the teacher opens the discussion to the whole class, who offer feedback and present their own assertions and challenges.

Learn more: How I Use Fishbowl Discussions to Engage Every Student

21. Brainstorming

Rather than having a teacher provide examples to explain a topic or solve a problem, students do the work themselves. Remember the one rule of brainstorming: Every idea is welcome. Ensure everyone gets a chance to participate, and form diverse groups to generate lots of unique ideas.

Learn more: Brainstorming in the Classroom

22. Role-Playing

Role-playing is sort of like a simulation but less intense. It's perfect for practicing soft skills and focusing on social-emotional learning. Put a twist on this strategy by having students model bad interactions as well as good ones and then discussing the difference.

Learn more: How To-and How Not To-Teach Role Plays

23. Think-Pair-Share

This structured discussion technique is simple: First, students think about a question posed by the teacher. Pair students up, and let them talk about their answer. Finally open it up to whole-class discussion. This helps kids participate in discussions in a low-key way and gives them a chance to "practice" before they talk in front of the whole class.

Learn more: Think-Pair-Share and 10 Fun Alternatives

24. Learning Centers

Source: Pocket of Preschool

Foster independent learning strategies with centers just for math, writing, reading, and more. Provide a variety of activities, and let kids choose how they spend their time. They often learn better from activities they enjoy.

Learn more: 6 Important Benefits of Learning Centers in the Classroom

25. Computer-Based Instruction

Once a rarity, now a daily fact of life, computer-based instruction lets students work independently. They can go at their own pace, repeating sections without feeling like they're holding up the class. Teach students good computer skills at a young age so you'll feel comfortable knowing they're focusing on the work and doing it safely.

Learn more: Computer-Assisted Instruction and Reading

26. Essays

Writing an essay encourages kids to clarify and organize their thinking. Written communication has become more important in recent years, so being able to write clearly and concisely is a skill every kid needs. This independent instructional strategy has stood the test of time for good reason.

Learn more: The Big List of Essay Topics for High School

27. Research Projects

Here's another oldie-but-goodie! When kids work independently to research and present on a topic, their learning is all up to them. They set the pace, choose a focus, and learn how to plan and meet deadlines. This is often a chance for them to show off their creativity and personality too.

Learn more: Tips and Ideas for Research Projects in the Classroom

28. Journaling

Personal journals give kids a chance to reflect and think critically on topics. Whether responding to teacher prompts or simply recording their daily thoughts and experiences, this independent learning method strengthens writing and intrapersonal skills.

Learn more: The Benefits of Journaling in the Classroom

29. Graphic Organizers

Source: Around the Kampfire

Graphic organizers are a way of organizing information visually to help students understand and remember it. A good organizer simplifies complex information and lays it out in a way that makes it easier for a learner to digest. Graphic organizers may include text and images, and help students make connections in a meaningful way.

Learn more: Graphic Organizers 101: Why and How To Use Them

30. Jigsaw

Jigsaw combines group learning with peer teaching. Students are assigned to "home groups." Within that group, each student is given a specialized topic to learn about. They join up with other students who were given the same topic, then research, discuss, and become experts. Finally, students return to their home group and teach the other members about the topic they specialized in.

Learn more: Why Use Jigsaw?

Which of your favorite instructional strategies examples did we miss? Come share in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook!

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30 Instructional Strategies Examples for Every Kind of Classroom

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Looking for new and exciting instructional strategies examples to help all of your students learn more effectively? Get them here!

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Dramatically increase student learning. Transform your classroom and school into a cooperative and caring learning environment. How? Easy! With Kagan Cooperative Learning. After decades of training and working with hundreds of thousands of teachers, Kagan has refined and perfected the most widely...

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Report: Effective Teacher Professional Development Crucial to Common Core -- THE Journal

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The success of the largest education reform effort of the last decade — Common Core State Standards — is contingent upon effective teacher professional development, according to a new report. But professional development needs to become more than a string of one-day workshops in order to help teachers make the transition.

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For growth and tracking

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SplashLearn: Fun Math & ELA Program for PreK-Grade 5

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SplashLearn is an award-winning learning program loved by over 40 million kids for engaging Math and ELA practice. Aligned with Common Core and various state standards.

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Math Centers that Deliver - Differentiation Done Right | HappyNumbers.com

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While you teach small groups, Happy Numbers serves as an independent math center, providing individualized instruction for the rest of the class.

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Tracking growth in math and reading

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Start measuring progress now. No strings attached. No credit card required. Get Started Now Start using the full version now. Only $49.99 per year! Restricted to 200 students / one teacher per building. (If you exceed these numbers, check out the District version to better meet your needs!) Subscribe Now