# data[].attributes.body
Proper Noun Unit

Students choose topic packet.
Ex. Science, sports, art, music, etc.

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Age Level - Any

Content Area - Any

Use - Students engage in real-life examples to learn information

Focus - Students learn how to problem-solve; students apply classroom learning to real-life; engages students by helping them make connections with real problems

Description - "Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects" (What is PBL, 2020).

What is PBL? (n.d.). Retrieved December 08, 2020, from https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl

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Age Level - Any

Content Area - Any

Use - Helps students navigate through information

Focus - Student assessment; gives students goals to set within the lesson; helps to discover more information on specified topics

Description - "K-W-L (Ogle, 1986) is an instructional reading strategy that is used to guide students through a text. Students begin by brainstorming everything they Know about a topic. This information is recorded in the K column of a K-W-L chart. Students then generate a list of questions about what they Want to Know about the topic. These questions are listed in the W column of the chart. During or after reading, students answer the questions that are in the W column. This new information that they have Learned is recorded in the L column of the K-W-L chart" (Olson, J., 2020)

Olson, J. (n.d.). Know, What to Know, and Learned Strategy (KWL Strategy). Retrieved December 08, 2020, from http://readingstrategiesjonathanolson.weebly.com/know-what-to-know-and-learned-strategy-kwl-strategy.html

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Age Level - Any

Content Area - Any

Use - Students form groups and master groups to teach themselves and each other information

Focus - Reinforces information by using focus groups

Description - "Jigsaw is a cooperative learning strategy that enables each student of a "home" group to specialize in one aspect of a topic...Students meet with members from other groups who are assigned the same aspect, and after mastering the material, return to the "home" group and teach the material to their group members" (Raphael, S., 2020).

Raphael, S., Englis, A., G., M., O., & Holmes, C. (2020, March 13). Jigsaw: Classroom Strategy. Retrieved December 08, 2020, from https://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/jigsaw

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Age Level - Any

Content Area - Any

Use - Targets areas of learning that individual students find difficult

Focus - Students are assessed by skill level and learning style and depending on where help they need, are assigned into specific target groups

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Age Level - Any

Content Area - Any

Use - Students engage with media to learn and process new information

Focus - Students evaluate and make meaning of information; students learn to analyze opposing information

Description - "Media Literacy is a 21st century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety of forms — from print to video to the Internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy" (Media Literacy, 2020).

Media Literacy: A Definition and More. (n.d.). Retrieved December 08, 2020, from https://www.medialit.org/media-literacy-definition-and-more

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Age Level - Any

Content Area - Any

Use - Uses games to introduce and reaffirm information being taught

Focus - Helps students to engage in the material in a fun and competitive way

Description - "Gamification is about taking something that is not a game and applying game mechanics to increase user engagement (and) happiness" (Definition of Gamification, 2020).

What is the Definition of Gamification and What Does it Mean? (2020, September 25). Retrieved December 08, 2020, from https://www.growthengineering.co.uk/definition-of-gamification/

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Age Level - Any

Content Area - Any

Use - Reinforces information being taught; encourages teamwork and student-led learning

Focus - Students think about information, then join with another student to help problem-solve, then the group presents the information to the class.

Description - "Think-pair-share (TPS) is a collaborative learning strategy where students work together to solve a problem or answer a question about an assigned reading. This strategy requires students to (1) think individually about a topic or answer to a question; and (2) share ideas with classmates" (Williams, K. 2020).

Williams, K., Submitted by jdkunamwene96@g... (not verified) on October 23, & Submitted by Maha Alsha'ar (not verified) on June 10. (2020, January 16). Think-Pair-Share: Classroom Strategy. Retrieved December 07, 2020, from https://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/think-pair-share

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Age Level - Any

Content Area - Any

Use - Helps students reflect on information, prepare for a lesson, and express their thoughts privately.

Focus - Students can use journals to focus on the information being taught, or teachers can use journaling to establish relationships with students.

Description - "Introduce journal writing through reading aloud an illustrated picture book for younger students, or a chapter book for older students, that uses the journal or diary format. Discuss the book using aesthetic reader response questions and prompts, and model journal writing features: noting the date, using an interesting sentence starter for a journal entry, and mini-lessons on writing conventions.

Journal writing can be done at a set time during a class period or day, or students can write in journals sometime during the day. Monitor the latter through a checklist, noting whether or not students are writing in them. Journals can also be part of writing conferences with individuals or small groups. They can also be used to address writing conventions and questions and needs students may have about spelling, punctuation, word usage, or grammar. Students can choose to share what they have written, or they can share an idea from the journal that they would like to explore further with another type of writing (e.g., poetry, story, or letter). Journals can be used in conferences to discuss these other writing forms" (Journal Writing, 2020).

Journal Writing. (2020, January 03). Retrieved December 07, 2020, from https://www.readingrockets.org/article/journal-writing

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Age Level - Any

Content Area - Any

Use - To engage students in concentrated areas of specified material.

Focus - Repetition and reinforcement of information; application of information; student-led pace

Description - "a designated area within the classroom that provides students with exciting and interesting experiences to practice, enrich, reteach, and enhance their learning. These types of centers are filled with manipulatives, art materials, books, and other instructional tools" (Scholastic, 2020).

A New Approach to Learning Centers. (n.d.). Retrieved December 07, 2020, from https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/new-approach-learning-centers/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Learning Centers, Part 2: How to Manage Them | Scholastic

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There are so many things to think about when it comes to learning centers. How should I set them up? How should I introduce them? How should I structure them? In this sec

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Journaling: Advice & Tips for Teachers (Grades K-12)

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Learn how to incorporate journaling in your classroom. Teachers can use journaling as a kind of window into how students are thinking about what they are learning. This is a great assessment tool as well.

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What is Response to Intervention?

The response to intervention (RTI) process is a type of Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for providing services and interventions to struggling learners at increasing levels of intensity. It includes:

Universal screening

High-quality instruction

Interventions matched to student need

Frequent progress monitoring, and

The use of child response data to make educational decisions

RTI should be used for making decisions about general, compensatory, and special education, creating a well-integrated and seamless system of instruction and intervention guided by child outcome data. An RTI process cannot be used to delay or deny an evaluation for eligibility under IDEA. (See this U.S. Department of Education memo [PDF].)

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can play a number of important roles [PDF] in using RTI to identify children with disabilities and provide needed instruction to struggling students in general and special education settings. These roles include:

Assisting in the selection of screening measures

Assisting in the selection of scientifically based literacy interventions

Aiding general education teachers with universal screening

Conducting expanded speech sound error screenings for K-3 students to track students at risk and intervene with those who are highly stimulable and may respond to short-term interventions

Interpreting screening and progress assessment results to families

Consulting with teachers to meet the needs of students in initial RTI tiers with specific focus on the language underpinnings of learning and literacy

Collaborating with classroom teachers to provide services and supports for students with communication disabilities

Response to Intervention in IDEA '04

Frequently Asked Questions for SLPs

Barbara Ehren and Maureen Staskowski offer expert answers your questions about the role of the SLP in this RTI Talk produced by the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). You will learn tips and effective ways to engage in assessment and intervention activities based on lessons learned working with SLPs in local schools.

Response to Intervention in Preschool

ASHA Products

RTI in Action: Oral Language Activities for K-2 Classrooms
A practical response to intervention (RTI) activity book with a focus on oral language.

RTI in Action: Grades 3-5: Oral and Written Language Activities for the Common Core State Standards
This book and accompanying CD provide background, activities and resources to in corporate the CCSS into your work with students. Watch this interview with ASHA's former Director of School Services, Deborah Dixon, for more information on the product.

Related Resources

Responsiveness to Intervention and Learning Disabilities A toolkit providing best practice related to an RTI-based specific learning disability identification process.

Wrightslaw
What You Need to Know About IDEA 2004: Responsiveness to Intervention

The IRIS Center, in collaboration with the Tennessee State Board of Education and the Tennessee State Improvement Grant, announces four online modules on response to intervention (RTI).

Contact: iris@vanderbilt.edu

LD Online
LD OnLine offers accurate and up-to-date information about learning disabilities and RTI.

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) NCLD provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities. NCLD has recently developed the RTI Action Network to assist professionals and parents understand and navigate the RTI process.
Center on Multi-Tiered System of Supports Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports
International Literacy Association (ILA) [PDF]

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The response to intervention (RTI) process is a multitiered approach to providing services and interventions to struggling learners at increasing levels of intensity.

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For some teachers, project-based learning (PBL) is classroom bliss.

Students work together to investigate an authentic and nuanced real-world problem. They build curriculum-aligned skills in the process. They're rewarded with enhanced communication and problem-solving skills.

But organizing and running suitable PBL activities isn't always easy, as the pedagogy is surrounded by debate and takes form in a range of exercises.

Find and facilitate the most appropriate project-based learning examples for your students.

These sections will help you determine if the pedagogy is worthwhile. If so, you'll come away with a handful of effective ideas to implement easily.

What is project-based learning?

Project-based learning (PBL) or project-based instruction is a student-centered teaching method that encourages learning through engaging, real-world, curriculum-related questions or challenges.
This, of course, goes deeper than doing any old project. The goal is to get students to engage with a question or challenge that requires concentration and nuanced problem-solving skills.

This question or challenge must:

Be open-ended

Encourage students to apply skills and knowledge they've developed in your classes

Allow students to take their own approaches to develop an answer and deliver a product

As you can see, project-based learning doesn't conform to rote approaches or teacher-led instruction.

Driven by critical thinking, it's often interdisciplinary and encourages students to take a rewarding-yet-challenging road to skill-building and knowledge acquisition through a nuanced learning process.

Why is project-based learning important?

Project-based learning boosts classroom engagement and has a direct impact on how well students are prepared to enter the workforce once they graduate.

A growing focus on 21st century skills and critical thinking means project-based learning is gaining steam in education. In addition, PBL can help educators:

Teach students personal responsibility and critical time management skills

Design assignments that hit higher-order stages in Bloom's taxonomy like analysis, synthesis and evaluation

Provide multiple ways of assessing students at different stages of the project, whether through a portfolio, annotated bibliography, outline, draft product or finished project

When students leave school, they'll need to understand that work isn't as straightforward as lectures and homework. It's more aligned with a project-based approach, where employees are expected to prioritize, manage their time and deliver work on a deadline. Project-based learning helps teach students:

Creative problem-solving skills

The importance of collaboration

How to find the right tools for the job

How to build independent learning and project management skills

How to use relevant technology to find resources, communicate and produce a final product

Project-based learning is important because it helps students approach meaningful learning opportunities with curiosity, while also giving them real-world skills they'll use for the rest of their lives.

Key characteristics of project-based learning

Project-based learning isn't just group work or a randomly assigned project. Let's take a look at some of the key characteristics to help you build your own project-based learning assignment:

1. Project-based learning presents an open-ended, appropriately complex question.

Students should have to do deep research, draw on existing knowledge and come up with a solution in the form of a final project - whether that's a presentation, proposal, essay or other product.

Students should have a choice in what they explore, and the questions they answer should be genuinely challenging with real-world applications.

2. Project-based learning relates to knowledge acquired through classroom lessons.

Not only should project-based learning build on your classroom lessons, but it should give students the opportunity to put them to use in a real-world setting. Project-based learning encourages students to dive deeper into the subject matter and builds on content knowledge.

Ultimately, this content knowledge should have real-world applications that students can focus on during the project.

3. Project-based learning requires students to find their own solutions to a given problem or question.

Just because the inspiration for project-based learning assignments comes from your lectures, doesn't mean it should stay there. Effective PBL comes from requiring students to find their own solutions to a given problem - not just plugging in a formula to find the answer.

In practice, this looks like a real-world project with extended inquiry. It should be a multi-stage process with, if necessary, multiple deliverables at different stages to keep students on track.

4. Project-based learning gives students a choice in how they learn.

Students learn best when they're studying something that captures their imagination and interest. Regardless of the end product, students should have as much autonomy as possible in what they make and how. They should learn how to communicate ideas in a group and on their own, and really bring their passion for the project to the forefront.

5. Project-based learning follows a clear, well-defined set of assessment criteria.

The best way to keep project-based learning on track and effective is to let students know what's expected of them.

At the beginning of the project, give students a rubric and handouts outlining:

How the project will be graded

All the products they'll be required to hand in

How they should work independently or in a group

Some teachers may even choose to collaborate with students in the development of the rubric and project criteria so they may feel a deeper understanding of the project expectations.

When students know what's expected of them, they're more likely to succeed.

A simple example of project-based learning

The PBL process is straightforward.

1. You present the issue, methods of investigation and any supplementary materials. It's up to your students to deliver a defined product.

2. Next, encourage students to reflect on their work and make revisions, ultimately delivering a presentation to their peers.

In social studies, for example, you could task students with conceptualizing and mapping out a smartphone app that addresses a problem within your country. To add a math element, they can budget the necessary resources to develop it.

Despite this clear-cut process, there's a lot of space for diverse tasks and differentiation in general.

As a type of active learning and inquiry-based learning, examples of project-based learning depend on yourself and your students. As John Dewey famously wrote in My Pedagogic Creed:

The teacher is not in the school to impose certain ideas or to form certain habits in the child, but is there as a member of the community to select the influences which shall affect the child and to assist him in properly responding.

Following this philosophy, it's probable - and ideal - that any project-based learning exercise you run looks different from those run by your colleagues.

What matters is prioritizing your students' needs and learning styles above the curriculum.

10 Project-based learning ideas your class will love

As you can see, it's not always easy to come up with a "project" that meets these requirements. Ideating a driving question into meaningful learning experiences that have real-world applications is no small task.

But that's what we're here to help with. Below are 10 of our ideas to inspire your project-based learning exercises.

1. Play area

Give students an opportunity to apply their geometry skills by designing a new playground for the school.

Using a range of free web applications, or simply grid paper and a pencil, task them with mapping out the playground while meeting certain conditions. These conditions should be based on including a certain number of 2D or 3D shapes in the components of the playground, such as slides and monkey bars. For example, at least two isosceles triangles, three equilateral triangles, four squares and so on. Once complete, each student must calculate the area and perimeter of his or her playground, as well as each component.

2. Your very own math story

Fuse math with visual and language arts by asking students to write their own math books.

Taking the form of an original short story, require students to cover a certain number of curriculum skills. They should explain and exemplify each skill within the context of the story, inherently allowing them to improve understanding. In exemplifying how to use a given skill, students should teach themselves its importance for a real-world scenario. You should notice improved retention as a result.
Is it hard to get your students excited about math? Try turning it into an engaging game-based learning adventure!
Make math more fun! 🎉

3. Favorite recipes

Take a mathematical approach to nutrition by having your class analyze their favorite foods and dishes for presentations about select recipes.

Each student should choose a main course, two sides and a dessert. They must then create and deliver presentations about how to make the dishes. But instead of standard cooking advice, the focus is nutritional values - calories, carbohydrates, daily vitamin intake and so on - based on the ingredients. You may need to provide a go-to resource for students to find this information, but the onus for creating a healthy meal is on them. Bon appetit!

4. What happened to the dinosaurs?

Satiate your students' curiosity and probable love of dinosaurs by having them research and argue what caused their extinction, crafting a visual display to illustrate findings.

As the dinosaurs' extinction remains a debate that can draw students into a rabbit hole, consider providing questions to guide their research. How did the planet change from the Triassic to Cretaceous period? How prevalent were carnivores compared with omnivores and herbivores? Such guiding questions should allow students to reach informed opinions, writing reports to defend those opinions and allowing them to craft creative visualizations.

5. Ancient civilization of needs

Combine history, anthropology and psychology through this project, requiring learners to envision newly-discovered ancient civilizations.

The basic premise is to borrow elements from other ancient societies, creating a unique one. But there's a catch - the society must satisfy each tier in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. If students are not familiar with the theory, present it along with guiding questions.

For example, "Which tier of the pyramid is most important for society to function?" These questions should encourage students to develop a collection of products, including: a written explanation of the society and how it meets Maslow's hierarchy of needs; an analysis of the elements borrowed from other ancient civilizations; a visual depiction of the society and more.

6. Where it comes from

Launch this independent or paired study activity to explore how ancient machines are still present in modern-day science and engineering.

The exercise starts with each student or pair choosing a simple machine - a pulley, lever, wedge and so on - or another ancient tool. They must research the history of their tools, determining how and where scientists and engineers still use them today. Students can then envision how the same tools will work as part of inventions 100 years into the future. They can produce videos, presentations or mock interviews with inventors to showcase their research and ideas.

7. The Oscar goes to ...

Have students script a part of a significant historical event to exercise their drama, history, and creative writing skills.

Whether a battle, court proceeding or formation of a powerful organization, have students choose from a list of events. Each learner's goal is to thoroughly research an event, forming a cohesive string of scenes they'd watch in a movie or television show. This will allow them to write scripts, highlighting each figure's motives and background. They must also pay particular attention to historical accuracy in terms of dialogue and settings. After you've approved each student's script, they can form small groups and choose their favorite, acting it out in front of the class.

8. Fashionista

Encourage students to take the roles of fashion designers and marketers with a scenario that combines business with visual and language arts.

This scenario entails a client - played by you - asking fashion agencies - played by small student groups - to manage the creation and launch of a specific clothing item, such as a dress or jacket. Although your idea is crystal clear, you're having a hard time communicating it. So, the agencies must start the project by developing a questionnaire to draw answers from you. As you respond to each agency, they can begin the next steps. These can include designing mock-ups, writing advertisements and calculating an appropriate sale price. After this work is done, each agency will pitch their version of the item to you. You determine who best captured the client's ideas.

9. A career with math

Give students a chance to look towards the future, investigating a career path that heavily relies on math.

You can present a list of relevant careers or have students suggest their own. Either way, choosing a career will launch the investigation process. Each student must research the career, writing a brief report about how professionals use math in daily duties. From there, students should be able to choose a skill used in their selected procession, linking it to a skill in the curriculum. The final task is to write a textbook chapter that explains the skill while offering specific examples of how and when it is used in the given career.

10. The economics of pizza

Analyze, from a mathematical perspective, many students' favorite meal: pizza.

This project-based learning assessment starts by choosing a pizza chain, researching its prices and applying linear algebra concepts to find the base cost of a pizza. These same concepts will allow students to determine how much each additional topping costs.

But the task isn't done there. Students should research - individually or in small groups - how much it costs to source each topping. They can then determine which type of pizza yields the greatest and smallest profit margins. Doing so acts as an introduction to basic economic concepts, encouraging students to critically think about business.

Notable examples of project-based learning

Your inspiration doesn't have to be limited to isolated activities like the ones above! There are many notable examples of project-based learning initiatives.

You'll likely be able to freely borrow ideas from these institutions:

1. THINK Global School

Calling itself the "world's first traveling high school," THINK Global School has its students live in four countries per year while developing curriculum knowledge entirely through project-based learning.

The projects are rooted in the cultures and environments surrounding the students.

2. Muscatine High School

An oft-referenced example of commitment to project-based learning, Muscatine High School in Iowa worked with a third-party organization to implement project-based learning opportunities across classes and subjects.

The projects are diverse, ranging from developing personal financial plans to exploring local history through interviews with community members.

3. EdVisions

A non-profit organization, EdVisions ' mission is "to help create and sustain great schools ... using the most student-centered teaching and learning." This largely involves partnering with schools to implement project-based learning opportunities.

The organization does so by working with a given school to identify students' learning needs and preferences, tailoring projects to them. This serves as an important reminder: project-based learning starts and ends with students in mind.

However, educators are still asking some important questions...

With such complex demands in today's educational system, educators worldwide are asking if elementary students can effectively complete research projects?

Will they still meet required learning objectives with the teacher serving as a guide instead of teaching the curriculum in a direct, traditional manner?

The project-based learning ideas above can be incredibly useful in the right setting and with the right students. However, there are some perceived benefits and disadvantages worth outlining.

Benefits and disadvantages of project-based learning

Debate permeates discussions about project-based learning.

It's up to you to understand the pros and cons, applying them to your classroom situation to make a decision about a given activity.

Key benefits of project-based learning:

Increased engagement - Project-based learning empowers students to play an active role in learning, as the complex tasks they take on demand novel approaches and are relevant to real-world contexts. This creates a classroom environment in which students overwhelmingly report feeling engaged, according to a meta analysis of 82 studies.

Better knowledge retention - Compared with traditional instruction, extensive research indicates that students who complete project-based learning exercises and assessments often show superior knowledge retention in a range of subjects from math to second-language learning. This can translate to higher performance on tests, according to a 2011 study.

Improved critical thinking abilities - The process of completing and delivering a project-generated product inherently builds problem-solving abilities, according to research from as recent as 2010. This is because students must heavily exercise those abilities, applying them in tangible contexts. For these reasons, the research indicates that students in project-based learning environments can better use problem-solving skills out of school than those in traditional learning settings.

More opportunities to explore EdTech - Project-based learning, by nature, enables students to use EdTech and explore Internet resources and technology tools. For example, independent research is likely rooted in online searches. EdTech, on the other hand, can lend itself to creating and delivering artifacts.

Disadvantages of project-based learning

Subjectivity in assessments - When grading a project-based learning product, many critics will say you're closing the door on objectivity. This is because, as opposed to using standardized forms of measurement, you'll rely on subjectively assessing a range of products. For these reasons, there's an argument that you shouldn't use project-based learning for a large part of students' marks.

Hyper-focus on product creation - It's possible for the day-to-day focus of project-based learning to transition from developing and applying essential skills to merely working on a product. When this happens, you can debate that students won't reap benefits such as improved problem solving and knowledge retention.

Questionable application in mathematics - Largely skill-based for elementary learners, dedicating time to project-based learning may not be the best use of time. Consider this: Would students better understand multiplication by applying it in a project-based learning context, or by running through drills and word problems?

Armed with this knowledge, it's ultimately your decision to bring project-based learning into your classroom.

A quality project will both engage students' interests and align with what's being taught, so keep that in mind for the most successful outcome.

Final thoughts on building PBL exercises

After going through this, you should have a better understanding of project-based learning as a pedagogy, as well as how to create a project design and launch it.

Just remember that the teaching method must be student-centered. What works for some teachers may not work for you, and what works for you may not work for others.

But you'll never know until you try.

👉 Create or log in to your teacher on Prodigy - a game-based learning platform for math that's curriculum-aligned and used by over 100 million teachers, students and parents worldwide.

Make math more fun! 🎉

For some teachers, project-based learning (PBL) is classroom bliss.

Students work together to investigate an authentic and nuanced real-world problem. They build curriculum-aligned skills in the process. They're rewarded with enhanced communication and problem-solving skills.

But organizing and running suitable PBL activities isn't always easy, as the pedagogy is surrounded by debate and takes form in a range of exercises.

Find and facilitate the most appropriate project-based learning examples for your students.

These sections will help you determine if the pedagogy is worthwhile. If so, you'll come away with a handful of effective ideas to implement easily.

What is project-based learning?

Project-based learning (PBL) or project-based instruction is a student-centered teaching method that encourages learning through engaging, real-world, curriculum-related questions or challenges.
This, of course, goes deeper than doing any old project. The goal is to get students to engage with a question or challenge that requires concentration and nuanced problem-solving skills.

This question or challenge must:

Be open-ended

Encourage students to apply skills and knowledge they've developed in your classes

Allow students to take their own approaches to develop an answer and deliver a product

As you can see, project-based learning doesn't conform to rote approaches or teacher-led instruction.

Driven by critical thinking, it's often interdisciplinary and encourages students to take a rewarding-yet-challenging road to skill-building and knowledge acquisition through a nuanced learning process.

Why is project-based learning important?

Project-based learning boosts classroom engagement and has a direct impact on how well students are prepared to enter the workforce once they graduate.

A growing focus on 21st century skills and critical thinking means project-based learning is gaining steam in education. In addition, PBL can help educators:

Teach students personal responsibility and critical time management skills

Design assignments that hit higher-order stages in Bloom's taxonomy like analysis, synthesis and evaluation

Provide multiple ways of assessing students at different stages of the project, whether through a portfolio, annotated bibliography, outline, draft product or finished project

When students leave school, they'll need to understand that work isn't as straightforward as lectures and homework. It's more aligned with a project-based approach, where employees are expected to prioritize, manage their time and deliver work on a deadline. Project-based learning helps teach students:

Creative problem-solving skills

The importance of collaboration

How to find the right tools for the job

How to build independent learning and project management skills

How to use relevant technology to find resources, communicate and produce a final product

Project-based learning is important because it helps students approach meaningful learning opportunities with curiosity, while also giving them real-world skills they'll use for the rest of their lives.

Key characteristics of project-based learning

Project-based learning isn't just group work or a randomly assigned project. Let's take a look at some of the key characteristics to help you build your own project-based learning assignment:

1. Project-based learning presents an open-ended, appropriately complex question.

Students should have to do deep research, draw on existing knowledge and come up with a solution in the form of a final project - whether that's a presentation, proposal, essay or other product.

Students should have a choice in what they explore, and the questions they answer should be genuinely challenging with real-world applications.

2. Project-based learning relates to knowledge acquired through classroom lessons.

Not only should project-based learning build on your classroom lessons, but it should give students the opportunity to put them to use in a real-world setting. Project-based learning encourages students to dive deeper into the subject matter and builds on content knowledge.

Ultimately, this content knowledge should have real-world applications that students can focus on during the project.

3. Project-based learning requires students to find their own solutions to a given problem or question.

Just because the inspiration for project-based learning assignments comes from your lectures, doesn't mean it should stay there. Effective PBL comes from requiring students to find their own solutions to a given problem - not just plugging in a formula to find the answer.

In practice, this looks like a real-world project with extended inquiry. It should be a multi-stage process with, if necessary, multiple deliverables at different stages to keep students on track.

4. Project-based learning gives students a choice in how they learn.

Students learn best when they're studying something that captures their imagination and interest. Regardless of the end product, students should have as much autonomy as possible in what they make and how. They should learn how to communicate ideas in a group and on their own, and really bring their passion for the project to the forefront.

5. Project-based learning follows a clear, well-defined set of assessment criteria.

The best way to keep project-based learning on track and effective is to let students know what's expected of them.

At the beginning of the project, give students a rubric and handouts outlining:

How the project will be graded

All the products they'll be required to hand in

How they should work independently or in a group

Some teachers may even choose to collaborate with students in the development of the rubric and project criteria so they may feel a deeper understanding of the project expectations.

When students know what's expected of them, they're more likely to succeed.

A simple example of project-based learning

The PBL process is straightforward.

1. You present the issue, methods of investigation and any supplementary materials. It's up to your students to deliver a defined product.

2. Next, encourage students to reflect on their work and make revisions, ultimately delivering a presentation to their peers.

In social studies, for example, you could task students with conceptualizing and mapping out a smartphone app that addresses a problem within your country. To add a math element, they can budget the necessary resources to develop it.

Despite this clear-cut process, there's a lot of space for diverse tasks and differentiation in general.

As a type of active learning and inquiry-based learning, examples of project-based learning depend on yourself and your students. As John Dewey famously wrote in My Pedagogic Creed:

The teacher is not in the school to impose certain ideas or to form certain habits in the child, but is there as a member of the community to select the influences which shall affect the child and to assist him in properly responding.

Following this philosophy, it's probable - and ideal - that any project-based learning exercise you run looks different from those run by your colleagues.

What matters is prioritizing your students' needs and learning styles above the curriculum.

10 Project-based learning ideas your class will love

As you can see, it's not always easy to come up with a "project" that meets these requirements. Ideating a driving question into meaningful learning experiences that have real-world applications is no small task.

But that's what we're here to help with. Below are 10 of our ideas to inspire your project-based learning exercises.

1. Play area

Give students an opportunity to apply their geometry skills by designing a new playground for the school.

Using a range of free web applications, or simply grid paper and a pencil, task them with mapping out the playground while meeting certain conditions. These conditions should be based on including a certain number of 2D or 3D shapes in the components of the playground, such as slides and monkey bars. For example, at least two isosceles triangles, three equilateral triangles, four squares and so on. Once complete, each student must calculate the area and perimeter of his or her playground, as well as each component.

2. Your very own math story

Fuse math with visual and language arts by asking students to write their own math books.

Taking the form of an original short story, require students to cover a certain number of curriculum skills. They should explain and exemplify each skill within the context of the story, inherently allowing them to improve understanding. In exemplifying how to use a given skill, students should teach themselves its importance for a real-world scenario. You should notice improved retention as a result.
Is it hard to get your students excited about math? Try turning it into an engaging game-based learning adventure!
Make math more fun! 🎉

3. Favorite recipes

Take a mathematical approach to nutrition by having your class analyze their favorite foods and dishes for presentations about select recipes.

Each student should choose a main course, two sides and a dessert. They must then create and deliver presentations about how to make the dishes. But instead of standard cooking advice, the focus is nutritional values - calories, carbohydrates, daily vitamin intake and so on - based on the ingredients. You may need to provide a go-to resource for students to find this information, but the onus for creating a healthy meal is on them. Bon appetit!

4. What happened to the dinosaurs?

Satiate your students' curiosity and probable love of dinosaurs by having them research and argue what caused their extinction, crafting a visual display to illustrate findings.

As the dinosaurs' extinction remains a debate that can draw students into a rabbit hole, consider providing questions to guide their research. How did the planet change from the Triassic to Cretaceous period? How prevalent were carnivores compared with omnivores and herbivores? Such guiding questions should allow students to reach informed opinions, writing reports to defend those opinions and allowing them to craft creative visualizations.

5. Ancient civilization of needs

Combine history, anthropology and psychology through this project, requiring learners to envision newly-discovered ancient civilizations.

The basic premise is to borrow elements from other ancient societies, creating a unique one. But there's a catch - the society must satisfy each tier in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. If students are not familiar with the theory, present it along with guiding questions.

For example, "Which tier of the pyramid is most important for society to function?" These questions should encourage students to develop a collection of products, including: a written explanation of the society and how it meets Maslow's hierarchy of needs; an analysis of the elements borrowed from other ancient civilizations; a visual depiction of the society and more.

6. Where it comes from

Launch this independent or paired study activity to explore how ancient machines are still present in modern-day science and engineering.

The exercise starts with each student or pair choosing a simple machine - a pulley, lever, wedge and so on - or another ancient tool. They must research the history of their tools, determining how and where scientists and engineers still use them today. Students can then envision how the same tools will work as part of inventions 100 years into the future. They can produce videos, presentations or mock interviews with inventors to showcase their research and ideas.

7. The Oscar goes to ...

Have students script a part of a significant historical event to exercise their drama, history, and creative writing skills.

Whether a battle, court proceeding or formation of a powerful organization, have students choose from a list of events. Each learner's goal is to thoroughly research an event, forming a cohesive string of scenes they'd watch in a movie or television show. This will allow them to write scripts, highlighting each figure's motives and background. They must also pay particular attention to historical accuracy in terms of dialogue and settings. After you've approved each student's script, they can form small groups and choose their favorite, acting it out in front of the class.

8. Fashionista

Encourage students to take the roles of fashion designers and marketers with a scenario that combines business with visual and language arts.

This scenario entails a client - played by you - asking fashion agencies - played by small student groups - to manage the creation and launch of a specific clothing item, such as a dress or jacket. Although your idea is crystal clear, you're having a hard time communicating it. So, the agencies must start the project by developing a questionnaire to draw answers from you. As you respond to each agency, they can begin the next steps. These can include designing mock-ups, writing advertisements and calculating an appropriate sale price. After this work is done, each agency will pitch their version of the item to you. You determine who best captured the client's ideas.

9. A career with math

Give students a chance to look towards the future, investigating a career path that heavily relies on math.

You can present a list of relevant careers or have students suggest their own. Either way, choosing a career will launch the investigation process. Each student must research the career, writing a brief report about how professionals use math in daily duties. From there, students should be able to choose a skill used in their selected procession, linking it to a skill in the curriculum. The final task is to write a textbook chapter that explains the skill while offering specific examples of how and when it is used in the given career.

10. The economics of pizza

Analyze, from a mathematical perspective, many students' favorite meal: pizza.

This project-based learning assessment starts by choosing a pizza chain, researching its prices and applying linear algebra concepts to find the base cost of a pizza. These same concepts will allow students to determine how much each additional topping costs.

But the task isn't done there. Students should research - individually or in small groups - how much it costs to source each topping. They can then determine which type of pizza yields the greatest and smallest profit margins. Doing so acts as an introduction to basic economic concepts, encouraging students to critically think about business.

Notable examples of project-based learning

Your inspiration doesn't have to be limited to isolated activities like the ones above! There are many notable examples of project-based learning initiatives.

You'll likely be able to freely borrow ideas from these institutions:

1. THINK Global School

Calling itself the "world's first traveling high school," THINK Global School has its students live in four countries per year while developing curriculum knowledge entirely through project-based learning.

The projects are rooted in the cultures and environments surrounding the students.

2. Muscatine High School

An oft-referenced example of commitment to project-based learning, Muscatine High School in Iowa worked with a third-party organization to implement project-based learning opportunities across classes and subjects.

The projects are diverse, ranging from developing personal financial plans to exploring local history through interviews with community members.

3. EdVisions

A non-profit organization, EdVisions ' mission is "to help create and sustain great schools ... using the most student-centered teaching and learning." This largely involves partnering with schools to implement project-based learning opportunities.

The organization does so by working with a given school to identify students' learning needs and preferences, tailoring projects to them. This serves as an important reminder: project-based learning starts and ends with students in mind.

However, educators are still asking some important questions...

With such complex demands in today's educational system, educators worldwide are asking if elementary students can effectively complete research projects?

Will they still meet required learning objectives with the teacher serving as a guide instead of teaching the curriculum in a direct, traditional manner?

The project-based learning ideas above can be incredibly useful in the right setting and with the right students. However, there are some perceived benefits and disadvantages worth outlining.

Benefits and disadvantages of project-based learning

Debate permeates discussions about project-based learning.

It's up to you to understand the pros and cons, applying them to your classroom situation to make a decision about a given activity.

Key benefits of project-based learning:

Increased engagement - Project-based learning empowers students to play an active role in learning, as the complex tasks they take on demand novel approaches and are relevant to real-world contexts. This creates a classroom environment in which students overwhelmingly report feeling engaged, according to a meta analysis of 82 studies.

Better knowledge retention - Compared with traditional instruction, extensive research indicates that students who complete project-based learning exercises and assessments often show superior knowledge retention in a range of subjects from math to second-language learning. This can translate to higher performance on tests, according to a 2011 study.

Improved critical thinking abilities - The process of completing and delivering a project-generated product inherently builds problem-solving abilities, according to research from as recent as 2010. This is because students must heavily exercise those abilities, applying them in tangible contexts. For these reasons, the research indicates that students in project-based learning environments can better use problem-solving skills out of school than those in traditional learning settings.

More opportunities to explore EdTech - Project-based learning, by nature, enables students to use EdTech and explore Internet resources and technology tools. For example, independent research is likely rooted in online searches. EdTech, on the other hand, can lend itself to creating and delivering artifacts.

Disadvantages of project-based learning

Subjectivity in assessments - When grading a project-based learning product, many critics will say you're closing the door on objectivity. This is because, as opposed to using standardized forms of measurement, you'll rely on subjectively assessing a range of products. For these reasons, there's an argument that you shouldn't use project-based learning for a large part of students' marks.

Hyper-focus on product creation - It's possible for the day-to-day focus of project-based learning to transition from developing and applying essential skills to merely working on a product. When this happens, you can debate that students won't reap benefits such as improved problem solving and knowledge retention.

Questionable application in mathematics - Largely skill-based for elementary learners, dedicating time to project-based learning may not be the best use of time. Consider this: Would students better understand multiplication by applying it in a project-based learning context, or by running through drills and word problems?

Armed with this knowledge, it's ultimately your decision to bring project-based learning into your classroom.

A quality project will both engage students' interests and align with what's being taught, so keep that in mind for the most successful outcome.

Final thoughts on building PBL exercises

After going through this, you should have a better understanding of project-based learning as a pedagogy, as well as how to create a project design and launch it.

Just remember that the teaching method must be student-centered. What works for some teachers may not work for you, and what works for you may not work for others.

But you'll never know until you try.

👉 Create or log in to your teacher on Prodigy - a game-based learning platform for math that's curriculum-aligned and used by over 100 million teachers, students and parents worldwide.

Make math more fun! 🎉

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Project-Based Learning (PBL) Benefits, Examples & 10 Ideas for Classroom Implementation

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For some teachers, project-based learning (PBL) is classroom bliss. Students work together to investigate an authentic and nuanced real-world problem. They build curriculum-aligned skills in the process. They're rewarded with enhanced communication and problem-solving skills. But organizing and running suitable PBL activities isn't always easy, as the pedagogy is surrounded by debate and takes form in a range of exercises.

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Prompts

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https://www.slideshare.net/haibinli/think-pairshare-strategy-18819073

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Tips & Strategies for Effective Differentiation & Instruction

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Classroom Management Strategies To Take Control Of Noisy Students

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3 Ways to  Differentiate  Learning Stations

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Uploaded by Mary Peterson on 2011-09-16.

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Response to Intervention Strategies | A Guide for Teachers

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We researched response to intervention strategies for students in tier one, two, and three. Learn about RTI and when a child will require special education.

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Yes, we provide PBL training for educators!

PBLWorks offers a variety of PBL workshops, courses and services for teachers, school and district leaders, and instructional coaches - whether you're just getting started or advancing your practice.
Learn more

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PBLWorks offers a variety of PBL workshops, courses and services for teachers, school and district leaders, and instructional coaches - whether you're just getting started or advancing your practice. Learn more

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It brings a new group of kiddos, fresh school supplies, and a clean slate! I actually enjoy teaching behavior, routines, and procedures...maybe that's weird. 🙂

The one thing I do find a little overwhelming, however, is getting centers up and running.

There's so much to teach and so much to think about. Getting 5, 6, or 7-year-olds to work independently is no small task!

My mind LOVES organization, so I learned to break down all of the madness into small, manageable steps and things to teach. In this post, I'll share my process! 🙂

Photo Credits: Billion Photos, Shutterstock

I do not start centers the first day, week, or even first few weeks of school. Period.

One year, a kindergarten teacher on my team told me that she starts centers on the very first day of school. Granted, there were two teachers in her classroom (not in mine). But still. Wow!

As for me, I am no superhero teacher, so I need a little more time!

I also think that my kids benefit from my "slow but steady" pace. Laying a solid foundation of routines and procedures does save time and frustration in the end!

Planning with the End in Mind

Every single year, I spend time imagining what my "ideal centers scenario" looks like. I picture how I want things to run in a month or two.

And then...I start making lists! (You'll see why these lists are important in the next section.)

First, I make a list of simple literacy activities that I want to incorporate into our first few weeks of centers (after we actually start centers, that is). These might include things like:

Partner reading

Independent reading

Simple word work activities (making words with play dough, for example)

Listening center activities (i.e. listening to stories online)

Writing activities (i.e. drawing pictures and making a story in a stapled booklet)

Second, I make a list of the centers routines and procedures I'll need to teach in order to get centers functioning smoothly. This includes:

Where different centers are located in the classroom

General procedures for using each center

How students will know which centers to go to

Expectations for behavior

Expectations for work

Expectations for noise level

Expectations for how students should or should not work together

What to do if you don't know what to do at a center

What to do if you need to use the restroom or get a drink of water

What to do if a peer is not using the center correctly

What to do if something breaks / technology doesn't work

How to clean up

How to know when to clean up

And last but not least, I make a list of simple, independent, non-academic activities that students can do with the materials I have in my classroom. They don't have to be literacy-related! These might include:

Playing with play dough

Working with colored tiles or pattern blocks

Working on puzzles

Drawing with special markers or stencils

If you'd like to download a free template for making and organizing your own lists, please click HERE! The Stages

In the next four parts of this post, I'll share the different "stages" I use to get centers rolling. Now you'll get to see how those 3 lists you made come into play.

I've included suggested timeframes for each stage. But these may vary! Your students will have different needs, so please go more slowly or more quickly as you see fit.

Here are the stages:
1. Learning Simple Literacy Activities (Weeks 1-4) 2. Learning Centers Procedures (Week 5) 3. Opening Centers One By One (Week 6) 4. Normal Centers and Small Group Rotations (Weeks 7 and beyond)
Now let's dive into each stage!

Stage One: Learning Simple Literacy Activities (Weeks 1-4)

Before the school year starts, I take List #1 (simple literacy activities that I will eventually use in centers, like independent reading). I make a schedule for teaching these activities in a whole-group setting over a period of about 4 weeks.

When I teach one of these activities, I model it for students. I then give them a chance to practice it with my support. And I do all of this during the block of time that will eventually become our centers time.

Here's an example:

Independent reading is something I want the kids to eventually be able to do during literacy centers.

I write some mini-lessons to teach expectations for independent reading. One mini-lesson might be how to stay on-task and in one spot during independent reading. Another might be how to tell a story from the pictures (for K-1).

I then decide when I will teach these mini-lessons (again, this is happening during the first 4-ish weeks of school, during the block of time that will eventually become our centers time).

During a mini-lesson, I model the focus procedure or routine. I have a few student volunteers model it for the class. And then I have the WHOLE class practice it while I support them.

However, if it's an activity that I have limited materials for (i.e. making words with magnetic letters), I have the class do something simple like handwriting practice while I pull small groups to practice the activity. Everyone gets a chance to practice the same day that I presented the mini-lesson.

This whole process takes about 15-20 minutes (a bit longer if I have to have them practice in small groups). If my centers block will eventually be 45 minutes, we usually get through 2 (maybe 3) of these "practice sessions" per day.

Stage Two: Learning Centers Procedures and Opening Centers (Week 5)

By this point, the kids know how to do many of the activities that they will eventually do in centers.

What they don't know is how to "do" centers! This is where List #2 comes into play (i.e. expectations for behavior, how to rotate, clean-up signals, etc.).

So during week 5, I set aside time to teach kids about 3-4 mini-lessons that cover topics from List #2.

During each mini-lesson, I go over the procedures, model them, and have a few student volunteers model them.

Then I have students go into "mock centers." During mock centers, I set out the play-based activities from list #3 (i.e. playing with play dough or pattern blocks). We don't spend too long in each center -maybe just 5-7 minutes.

Students rotate through the centers as they would the literacy centers. However, because the actual centers activities are non-academic, we can focus on learning how to "do" centers.

I include lots of positive praise to recognize students who are following procedures correctly. I am "right there" with the students, correcting any mistakes. I'm not yet teaching small groups.

Stage Three: Opening Centers One by One (Week 6)

After I feel that the students "get" how to do centers, I then begin replacing the play centers with the literacy activities they learned in Stage 1.

Here's an example:

On Monday, I introduce the partner reading center. Students already know how to read with a partner; I'm just going over the procedures specific to the center. That day, they rotate through play centers and the partner reading center. The partner reading center is the only "academic" center that day.

On Tuesday, I introduce the word work center. Students already know several different word work activities from Stage 1; again, I'm just going over the procedures specific to that center. That day, they rotate through play centers, the partner reading center, and the word work center.

You get the picture - I add one "academic" center each day until all the centers are up and running!

Throughout all of this, I'm still not pulling small groups. I'm supervising students and reinforcing positive behavior.

Toward the end, I spend a couple of days just standing at the back of the room and observing. I don't intervene; I want to see that students can work independently. I tell them that they are responsible for solving their own problems, and that they should act like I'm invisible! 🙂

Once students are able to work independently and all of the literacy centers have been introduced, then comes...

Stage Four: Normal Centers and Small Group Rotations (Weeks 7 and beyond)

By this point, students know the procedures and routines of centers. They are familiar with different literacy activities they can do in each center. They know how to work without my direct supervision.

Now I can start pulling small groups and teaching guided reading. Yay!

Of course, the hard work isn't completely done. I absolutely have to return to some of those mini-lessons I taught during weeks 1-6. I have to reteach procedures and expectations throughout the year. I have to continue coming up with centers activities and embedding them into my whole and small group instruction (read more about this process HERE).

Have you already signed up to get the centers planning templates? They will walk you through this whole process! If not, you can do so by clicking HERE. And last but not least, if you're not 100% clear on this whole process (this was a long post, I know!), watch this video where I explain it all again:

I hope this is helpful to you. Happy teaching!

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How to Start Literacy Centers at the Beginning of the School Year in K-2 - Learning at the Primary Pond

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I really like the beginning of the school year. It brings a new group of kiddos, fresh school supplies, and a clean slate! I actually enjoy teaching behavior, routines, and procedures...maybe that's weird. 🙂 The one thing I do find a little overwhelming, however, is getting centers up and running.

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Dialogue Journals

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How to do a Think Pair Share - TeachLikeThis

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October is National Information Literacy Awareness Month. While educators always teach their students how to find, access, and evaluate information, they can take a moment to remind their students what literacy means and inform them that October celebrates literacy.

While children are in school, they may want to discuss what they hear in the news, so it is important for educators to teach students media literacy, so when they hear or read stories from the media at home, they know exactly what to make of it.
What is media literacy?
Media Literacy, according to the Center for Media Literacy, is " is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media in a variety of forms." Media can be in the form of newspapers, online publications, advertisements, commercials, social media platforms, and more.

In order to help students become literate in the world of media, EducationWorld has gathered a list of seven lesson plans, activities, books, and videos for teachers to use.

Media Smarts, an official website dedicated to providing resources for media literacy, created a list of six videos called Media Literacy 101 looking at key concepts. Each video comes with a lesson plan. Here is the introductory video and lesson plan.

1. PBS News Hour Extra - Classrooms can watch videos on latest news stories and teachers can lead meaningful discussions to help understand the significance of current events.

2. The 5W's of a Newspaper Article: In this activity provided by Teachers Pay Teachers, students learn the concept of the 5W's: who, what, where, when and why in order to "gain valuable skills to apply when reading newspaper articles through both a group and individual activity."

3. Media Literacy Web Quest: This lesson plan is geared towards second graders and sends them on a web quest that will "ask students to read and think critically about some of the media sources they are familiar with." Students will be required to "look closely at the purposes of the different kinds of media," and "look at the techniques used to create the different types of media and their messages" by completing three tasks. These tasks consist of exploring websites, watch a video, and looking at examples to gain media literacy.

4. Arthur's TV Trouble by Marc Brown: This book can teach younger students to be careful about what they see on television. Amazon says, "Arthur is duped by slick TV advertising into buying an expensive Treat Timer for his dog Pal. Using his hard-earned money for the purchase, he is disillusioned when the machine shoots treats all over the living room, frightening Pal in the process, and he vows never to be taken in again."

5. The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Commercials by Stan & Jan Berenstain: Similar to Arthur's story, Amazon says, "Brother and Sister Bear are not greedy children, but all the toys and candy on TV look so great! Mama Bear has to find a way to teach her cubs that they can't believe everything they see before that pile of unused toys gets any bigger."

Article by Kassondra Granata, Education World Contributor

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Media Literacy Lessons | Education World

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October is National Information Literacy Awareness Month. While educators always teach their students how to find, access, and evaluate information, they can take a moment to remind their students what literacy means and inform them that October celebrates literacy.

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Age Level - Any

Content Area - Any

Use - Gives students the opportunity to sit or stand or move while learning

Focus - This strategy kinesthetically helps students focus while engaged in learning

Description - "Flexible seating is the practice of allowing and providing many seating options for students. This means having different types of seats like yoga balls, chairs, couches, stools, etc. This also means given students the freedom to choose where they sit" (Garcia, K., 2020).

Garcia, K. (2020, March 05). Home. Retrieved December 08, 2020, from https://inside.ewu.edu/managementtoolbox/flexible-seating/

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Description

K-W-L (Ogle, 1986) is an instructional reading strategy that is used to guide students through a text. Students begin by brainstorming everything they Know about a topic. This information is recorded in the K column of a K-W-L chart. Students then generate a list of questions about what they Want to Know about the topic. These questions are listed in the W column of the chart. During or after reading, students answer the questions that are in the W column. This new information that they have Learned is recorded in the L column of the K-W-L chart.

Purpose

The K-W-L strategy serves several purposes:

Elicits students' prior knowledge of the topic of the text.

Sets a purpose for reading.

Helps students to monitor their comprehension.

How to use the K-W-L strategy

1. Choose a text. This strategy works best with expository texts.

2. Create a K-W-L chart. The teacher should create a chart on the blackboard or on an overhead transparency. In addition, the students should have their own chart on which to record information. (Below is an example of a K-W-L chart.)

3. Ask students to brainstorm words, terms, or phrases they associate with a topic. The teacher and students record these associations in the K column of their charts. This is done until students run out of ideas.

K Column Suggestions

Have questions ready to help students brainstorm their ideas. Sometimes students need more prompting than, "Tell me everything you know about _____," to get them started.

Encourage students to explain their associations. This is especially important for those associations that are vague or unusual. Ask, "What made you think of that?"

Ask students what they want to learn about the topic. The teacher and students record these questions in the W column of their charts. This is done until students run out of ideas for questions. If students respond with statements, turn them into questions before recording them in the W column.

W Column Suggestions

Ask an alternative question for generating ideas for the W column. If, in response to "What do you want to learn about this topic?" your students are either having trouble coming up with ideas, or are saying, "nothing," try asking one of the following questions instead:

"What do you think you will learn about this topic from the text you will be reading?"

Choose an idea from the K column and ask, "What would you like to learn more about this idea?"

Come prepared with your own questions to add to the W column. You might want students to focus on ideas in the text on which the students' questions are not likely to focus them. Be sure not too add too many of your own questions, however. The majority of the questions in the W column should be student-generated.

4. Have students read the text and fill out the L column of their charts. Students should look for the answers to the questions in their W column. Students can fill out their L columns either during or after reading.

L Column Suggestions

In addition to answering the W column questions, encourage students to write in the L column anything they found especially interesting. To distinguish between the answers to their questions and the ideas they found interesting, have students code the information in their L columns. For example, they can put a check mark next to the information that answers questions from the K column. And they can put a star next to ideas that they found interesting.

Have students consult other resources to find out the answers to questions that were not answered in the text. (It is unlikely that all of the students' questions in the W column will be answered by the text.)

5. Discuss the information that students recorded in the L column.

Ogle, D.M. 1986. K-W-L: A teaching model that develops active reading of expository text. Reading Teacher 39: 564-570.

Example

Following is an example of a completed K-W-L chart that students might complete if they were reading a text about gravity.

Topic: GRAVITY

* The students' question about Newton was not answered in the text. Students should be encouraged to consult other sources to find out the answer to this question.

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K-W-L (Ogle, 1986) is an instructional reading strategy that is used to guide students through a text. Students begin by brainstorming everything they Know about a topic. This information is recorded in the K column of a K-W-L chart. Students then generate a list of questions about what they Want to Know about the topic.

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Gamification has taken the world of education by storm in recent years. Rapidly evolving technology, as well as the push toward digital, also played a significant role in its rise.

With classrooms filled with tablets, e-books, and digital boards, everything is more interactive, which makes it even harder to keep students' attention. Gamification in the classroom, however, allows teachers to engage students more quickly and get them excited about learning.

Of course, while video games can be helpful in the classroom now and again, they shouldn't be your go-to for gamification. Luckily, it's easy to adjust your classroom gamification to complement your teaching style. Let's take a look at tested techniques to gamify your classroom and keep your students on the edge of their seats.

What Are the Benefits of Gamification?

So gamification helps pique students' interest and keep them engaged during lessons, but are there any other benefits? Students today get bombarded by information and images almost constantly. In order to keep up, teachers need to reassess their techniques to be in line with the times.

Although opponents of gamification say that it removes what makes education educational, students are still learning but in different ways. Traditional education techniques can sometimes be limiting, unstimulating, and extremely average.

Modern techniques, coupled with gamification, offer a nuanced approach that motivates children. Students can take on a persona, earn points, and feel a more profound sense of accomplishment with gamification. However, it's crucial to state that complete gamification may not be a great idea. Blended classrooms where students experience traditional and modern styles together tend to be more successful. Nonetheless, incorporating gamification in your class will give your students some variety and allow you to keep their attention better.

Ways to Introduce Gamification

If you're considering gamifying your class, you may not be sure where to start. Here are a few simple but effective ways to incorporate gamification into your classroom.

1. Set Up a Points System

Much like in video games, earning points motivates people and helps them feel rewarded for their efforts. Depending on your classroom activities, you can offer to give students points for participation, completing tasks on time or anything else you'd like. Your points system should fit your classroom style and help students track their progress. You can even use your points system to supplement your grading. For example, if students earn a certain amount of points, you could drop their lowest grade or boost their final grade. While gamifying grading is an entirely personal choice, know that it can motivate students.

Beyond motivating students to participate, it helps them feel compensated for their efforts. Receiving better grades can sometimes be disheartening. Earning points, on the other hand, allows students to feel like they are becoming masters of their learning. They can see their skills improve, feel motivated, and enjoy class time more than ever before. What's not to love about that?

2. Invent a Storyline With Avatars

Nothing quite gets students in the mood to learn like a great story. Taking the time to think of or invent a storyline for your game will help get students interested. You can choose from the typical stories about pirates, aliens, or zombies to set the stage. No matter what theme you choose, make sure you keep it going throughout the entire game.

Once you've set the stage, allow your students to get in on the fun. Letting them choose their role in the story will spark their creativity and get them to invest more in the game. You can even give them time to design an avatar who represents them. Young and old students alike enjoy taking the time to craft their character in the game world.

While avatars lend themselves well to video games or digital apps, there are low-tech alternatives, as well. From costumes to illustrations, as long as you let your students get creative, their fascination for the story will grow.

3. Hand Out Badges

Points are great for rewarding your student's participation in class, but badges allow you to reward achievements. Incorporating both of these reward systems is vital for maintaining classroom morale. After all, just because some students don't earn points doesn't mean they aren't accomplishing anything. Giving students badges also helps serve as milestones for the class. For instance, badges that indicate the mastery of a specific program can feel like a rite of passage for students. Students will want to collect all of their badges and mark their advancement through the course. You can even offer bonus points or level increases with different badges to add an extra layer of excitement.

Badges also help reward students with unique abilities. Therefore, it's worth it to invest time in creating badges for areas you want students to master. Additionally, you may want to create a few rare badges that will preserve the element of surprise.

4. Encourage Teamwork

Gamification of your classroom need not be divisive. In fact, your classroom morale might be better if you allow students to play in teams. Getting students to play and participate together cultivates a friendly atmosphere and teaches students the value of working together.

In their teams, you may want to allow students to share points, rewards, or even power-ups. Students will want to work harder to help their team and make their team members proud. This is especially true if they can share the riches (or points). Not to mention that the game will become much more energetic with students frantically cheering their teammates on.

5 Gamification Apps for Your Classroom

Gamifying your class and keeping it fresh requires plenty of resources. No worries, because I've scoped out some of the best gamification apps out there.

1. Gimkit

Gimkit is today's revelation and very suited for gamifiying your classroom. This game app lets teachers build quizzes students have to solve. They call themselves a game show for the classroom that requires knowledge, collaboration, and strategy to win. Students answer questions on their device at their own pace. Throughout a Kit, students will get exposure to the questions multiple times to ensure mastery.

Here's the "gamification-factor" about Gimkit: students earn in-game cash by answering questions correctly. But be careful, an incorrect answer will cost them! Students can reinvest their earned digital money by purchasing upgrades and powerups that suit their strengths.

Gimkit is especially a live classroom game, but you can use it for homework assignments which are graded automatically. Gimkit eventually generates a report detailing what your students need help on.

2. Class Dojo

Class Dojo works best with younger students usually in the primary school stage. The setting is a digital dojo where students can keep track of their mastery and skills. This app automatically assigns each student an avatar which is a little monster. Each little monster collects points for anything from participation to helping others in the class. Teachers can use this app from a computer or mobile device making it a flexible platform. One of the greatest things about Class Dojo is that it helps connect teachers, students, and parents. Although the app gives instant feedback about students' performance, it can also send a monthly report to parents. Therefore, it helps close the gap between home and the classroom.

This app even aids teachers in reinforcing good behavior. Its graphics and sound effects react to when students lose points, thereby motivating them to do better. Class Dojo also helps save teachers time. Spending less time on keeping up this gamification aspect of the classroom makes more sustainable.

3. BookWidgets

BookWidgets works well for anyone using Google Classroom or merely a digital whiteboard or any other device. This app offers 40 different templates for teachers to craft interactive lessons. Depending on the subject or aim of the lesson, teachers can use anything from quizzes to arithmetic to bingo cards. The variety of templates allows teachers to make lessons of all kinds more interactive. Furthermore, the different templates can help gamify things like reviews, tests, and more.

All teachers need to do is launch the app and select the "Create Widget" option to begin devising their next interactive lesson. Lesson planning time will decrease as student participation skyrockets with BookWidgets. Just check out this ready-to-use gamified WebQuest about Halloween. Students have to solve a murder and earn their inspector badge at the end. Just click on the image and share the link with your students. That's it!

Incorporating BookWidgets into the classroom is simple. With its Google Chrome plugin, you can get started using this app almost immediately in Google Classroom. You can also use BookWidgets standalone via the BookWidgets website.

4. Classcraft

Classcraft is probably the best game and classroom management solution for high school students. Classcraft engages students to live by your class rules interactively.

Students create their own avatars that have special powers. They play in groups to keep the team spirit alive. If someone ignores a deadline, it may disadvantage the whole group. You could say this game app focuses on teamwork and tries to build better relationships between students.

Students can gain or lose different points by playing by the classroom rules or by breaking them. For example, students who help other students with their homework receive a certain amount of points. When they have enough points, they can use a power like: the "warrior" can eat in class". As I've said before, students can also lose those points when breaking the rules. If they lose all their points they get a "punishment" like: bring a treat for the whole class or hand in an assignment a day early.

As a teacher, you can choose every power and punishment. Classcraft also has a timer and a stopwatch available, as well as a quiz tool where the avatars have to battle a "boss". In order to beat the boss, they have to get the answers right.

5. Kahoot

Kahoot has the power to make students extremely enthusiastic about learning. Similar to a gameshow, Kahoot! uses music, images, and a colorful interface to get students excited about the task at hand. Particularly useful for quizzing vocabulary, multiplication, and simple geography, this app asks students to select the correct answer within a time limit.

Kahoot! even allows teachers to include YouTube videos to add an extra layer of information to each question. Combining this interactive game with multimedia helps make the experience more immersive for students. Moreover, the app has plenty of sound effects that add to the excitement of the gameplay.

Students receive points for every correct answer and also get extra points for answering faster than others. Whether they're playing individually or in teams, students will feel very rewarded when they see their score growing. Racking up more and more points often means that students get invested in the game and want to continue playing. In fact, your students may become addicted to Kahoot!

Ready, Set, Game!

Getting students excited about learning is easier than ever with the help of technology and gamification. By using these techniques and apps, you can make your classroom wonderfully interactive. Of course, always remember to reward students for their efforts to keep them motivated and capture their imagination.

About the author

James Daily is a professional writer, content manager, and blogger with a Master's degree in Leadership and Teacher Education. Specialized in education, psychology and upbringing. Check out his work on this blog. "Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the promise of progress, in every society, in every family" © Kofi Annan

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The best gamification apps and techniques for in your classroom

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Gamification has taken the world of education by storm in recent years. Rapidly evolving technology, as well as the push toward digital, also played a significant role in its rise. With classrooms filled with tablets, e-books, and digital boards, everything is more interactive, which makes it even harder to keep students' attention.

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Flexible Seating: 21 Awesome Ideas for Your Classroom

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21 easy flexible seating ideas to transform your classroom. Try bringing this research-backed approach to your students and see the results!

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KWL Chart

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Maria Kampen

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One of the In According to For more actionable classroom management teaching strategies, read 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 Norman Webb's There are a number of engaging activities that can promote different DoK levels: read more about them in Don't be afraid to get creative when making summative assessments! Read For more examples and ideas, read Put students at the center of the classroom with For more active learning strategies, read For more differentiated instruction ideas, read No two students are exactly alike. That's why According to a study by the 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 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 For more information on RTI strategies and tips for bringing them to your classroom, read For more ideas on how to use technology in the classroom, read Similar to classroom gamification, For more math games, read There are thousands of For more resources, read The Manitoba Association of Mathematics Teachers For more ways to practice mental math skills, read For a detailed explanation of the eight standards and ways to teach them, read For a full list of math tricks, read Our Game-based learning can be a successful way to help students develop this understanding and can engage students on stressful topic. Some For more fun multiplication games, read So your unit on fractions is finished, and it's time to move on -- to For a comprehensive overview on how to teach multiplying fractions, read The only thing scarier for students than multiplying fractions? 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 For more details on dividing fractions, read 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 If you want more examples and techniques for gamifying your classroom, read Convergent and divergent thinking are two terms coined by American psychologist While convergent thinking is an important part of building math fluency, divergent thinking allows students to understand the base concepts underlying their work. For more examples of each and how to teach them, read Students have to take an active role in their own learning, but are often disengaged from the learning process. To learn how to effectively incorporate project-based learning techniques into your classroom, read Every classroom has a wide range of levels and learning styles, which can be difficult for any teacher to effectively address. Use For more experiential learning activities, read 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 For more ideas on how to successfully bring peer teaching to your classroom, read A study from the For more benefits and examples of inquiry-based learning, as well as how to effectively use it in your classroom, read For more ideas about problem-based learning and tips for designing projects, read A popular article from For more information on formal and informal cooperative learning, as well as cooperative base group strategies, read Reading isn't every student's favorite subject. With Reciprocal teaching involves students in reading and gets them excited to learn. Learners are asked to And the technique can even be adapted for math class: For more ideas about reciprocal teaching, read For more information on the six blended learning models and how to use them with your students, read Diverse classrooms are an amazing opportunity for teachers, but it can also be difficult to reach students with dramatically different backgrounds or learning styles. For the full list, read Use For more interdisciplinary teaching activities and tips on how to get started, read According to the Service learning contains five steps: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 There are lots of other ways to teach valuable media literacy lessons to students -- check out our For more ways to encourage a growth mindset in your classroom, read 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 The applications are endless: use In order to be an effective teacher, you need to have access to resources that allow you to continuously grow your skills. According to 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 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 > best qualities a teacher can have is a willingness to try new teaching strategies. Effective Teaching and Learning, educational researcher Naga Subramani argues that 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."
Is that you? There's more than one way to teach a diverse and dynamic classroom. In this post you'll find:
Classroom teaching strategies

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

Model ideal behaviour: Clearly explain proper behaviour, and then follow it yourself.

Encourage initiative: Allow students to actively participate in the learning process.

2. Flexible seating
20 Classroom Management Strategies and Techniques [+Downloadable List]. 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."
3. Webb's Depth of Knowledge
Flexible Seating: 21 Awesome Ideas for Your Classroom. There are four DoK levels: 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.

Level one: Recollection and reproduction

Level two: Knowledge application

Level four: Extended critical thinking

4. Summative assessment
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. Specific Ways to Use Webb's Depth of Knowledge in Class.
5. Formative assessment
Summative assessments are end-of-unit tests, final projects or standardized tests used to assess student understanding on a broad and absolute level.
Formative Assessment Summative Assessment
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. Summative Assessment: A Comprehensive Guide> for ideas on how to get students engaged with the testing process. Some examples of formative assessment techniques include: Formative assessments are the opposite of summative assessments because they take place during the teaching process.
6. Active learning

"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: 20 Formative Assessment Examples to Try [+Downloadable List].

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.

7. Differentiated instruction
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: "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. 8 Active Learning Strategies and Examples [+ Downloadable List].
8. Personalized learning
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:
"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. 20 Differentiated Instruction Strategies and Examples [+ Downloadable List].
9. Universal design for learning (UDL)
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: personalized learning builds a learning experience that addresses the unique abilities of each student. Gates Foundation, personalized learning can improve test scores when used to supplement math class:
10. Response to intervention
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. 7 Personalized Learning Strategies and Examples.
Math teaching strategies

11. Classroom technology
There are an endless number of ways to 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.

Universal Design for Learning: Principles and Examples for 2019.
12. Math games
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. 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.

The Teacher's Response to Intervention (RTI) Guide: Tiers, Strategies and More.
13. Math websites
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. 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
25 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom [+ Downloadable List].
14. Mental math
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. Is mental math really a teaching strategy? Of course! "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." 20 Engaging, Skill-Building Math Games for Kids [1st to 8th Grade]. There's lots of resources available to boost mental math skills, including: 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.
15. Common Core math
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.

16. Solve math problems faster
15 Helpful Math Websites for Teachers & 5 to Share with Kids [+ Downloadable List]. 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: 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. defines mental math as:
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? 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! 12 Practices to Improve Students' Mental Math + Downloadable List.
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. 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.

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!

19. Multiplying fractions
8 Common Core Math Standards, Explained [+ Examples]. 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: Teaching students to solve math problems quickly and without help can improve confidence and math fluency.
20. How to divide fractions
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

How to Solve Math Problems Faster: 15 Techniques to Show Students.
21. Math puzzles
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

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:
Student-focused teaching strategies

22. Gamification
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.

multiplication games include:
23. Convergent and divergent thinking
15 Multiplication Games to Make Math Lessons Fun. multiplying fractions.
24. Project-based learning
How to Multiply Fractions (+ 7 Engaging Activities). Project-based learning is open-ended, and allows students working in groups 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. Dividing them. 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.
25. Experiential learning
means.

Traditional learning activities Experiential learning activities

Explain knowledge or skills by transferring information

Develop knowledge and skills through experience

How to Divide Fractions in 3 Easy Steps. 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. 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."
26. Peer teaching
20 Math Puzzles to Engage Your Students. 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: 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.
27. Inquiry-based learning
How to Gamify your Classroom in 5 Easy Steps. 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

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.
28. Problem-based learning
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. How to Teach Convergent and Divergent Thinking: Definitions, Examples, Templates and More. 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. Project-based learning allows students to be fully immersed in an authentic and nuanced problem that has real-life implications.
29. Cooperative learning

Positive interdependence: Each group member is valuable

Accountability: Students accept responsibility for their roles

Soft skills instruction: Lessons and activities about teamwork

Group processing: Group should use strategies on how to meet their goals

The Definitive Guide to Project-Based Learning: Definition, Debates, Ideas and Examples.
30. Reciprocal teaching
experiential learning activities to counter student disengagement and get them involved in the learning process.
31. Blended learning
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. 7 Experiential Learning Activities to Engage Students.
32. Culturally responsive teaching
pioneering 1988 study found it improved self-esteem and interpersonal skills. 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: 15 Easy Peer Teaching Strategies to Help Students.
33. Interdisciplinary teaching
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. 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.

34. Service learning
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. All About Inquiry-Based Learning: Definition, Benefits and Strategies. 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. 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: 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. 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Problem-Based Learning [+ Activity Design Steps].

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?

Deconstruct advertising language: Explore and critique advertising claims that companies make. Pass out magazines and online ads for students to examine and analyze.

Cooperative learning is one of the most universal teaching strategies. It empowers students to work together and gives teachers a chance to deliver targeted, small-group learning.
36. Growth mindset
Theory into Practice details five essential aspects of cooperative learning: 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: The Guide to Cooperative Learning: Principles and Strategies for Each Type.

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.

reciprocal teaching techniques, you can turn even the most reluctant reader into a bookworm.
Resources for effectively using teaching strategies
predict what a text is about, ask questions about what they don't understand, one study found that reciprocal teaching in math can improve understanding of word-based problems, and can help students understand questions better. re-read for clarification, and 4 Reciprocal Teaching Strategies to Use. summarize what the text is saying -- instead of just absorbing material as quickly as possible.
Google
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. 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. How to Put the Six Blended Learning Models into Action [+ Examples & Download].
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Click here for more tips on how to use Prodigy in your classroom. Culturally responsive teaching aims to link content with students' contemporary and ancestral cultures.
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.

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
15 Culturally-Responsive Teaching Strategies and Examples + Downloadable List.
"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."
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.
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.
Parents
10 Interdisciplinary Teaching Activities and Examples [+ Unit Design Steps]. 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 strategies
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." 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? Preparation, Action, Reflection, Demonstration, Celebration 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. The Teacher's Guide to Service Learning [+5 Examples].
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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: Teaching Media Literacy: Its Importance and 10 Engaging Activities [+Downloadable List] blog post for more ideas. 10 Ways Teachers can Instill a Growth Mindset in Students. Your students will benefit for the rest of their lives. Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam -- without ever leaving the classroom. 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. 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: blog post about new teaching techniques. report card comments. Create or log in to your teacher account on Prodigy - a free, game-based learning platform for math that's easy to use for educators and students alike. Aligned with curricula across the English-speaking world, it's loved by more than a million teachers and 50 million students.

One of the In According to For more actionable classroom management teaching strategies, read 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 Norman Webb's There are a number of engaging activities that can promote different DoK levels: read more about them in Don't be afraid to get creative when making summative assessments! Read For more examples and ideas, read Put students at the center of the classroom with For more active learning strategies, read For more differentiated instruction ideas, read No two students are exactly alike. That's why According to a study by the 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 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 For more information on RTI strategies and tips for bringing them to your classroom, read For more ideas on how to use technology in the classroom, read Similar to classroom gamification, For more math games, read There are thousands of For more resources, read The Manitoba Association of Mathematics Teachers For more ways to practice mental math skills, read For a detailed explanation of the eight standards and ways to teach them, read For a full list of math tricks, read Our Game-based learning can be a successful way to help students develop this understanding and can engage students on stressful topic. Some For more fun multiplication games, read So your unit on fractions is finished, and it's time to move on -- to For a comprehensive overview on how to teach multiplying fractions, read The only thing scarier for students than multiplying fractions? 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 For more details on dividing fractions, read 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 If you want more examples and techniques for gamifying your classroom, read Convergent and divergent thinking are two terms coined by American psychologist While convergent thinking is an important part of building math fluency, divergent thinking allows students to understand the base concepts underlying their work. For more examples of each and how to teach them, read Students have to take an active role in their own learning, but are often disengaged from the learning process. To learn how to effectively incorporate project-based learning techniques into your classroom, read Every classroom has a wide range of levels and learning styles, which can be difficult for any teacher to effectively address. Use For more experiential learning activities, read 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 For more ideas on how to successfully bring peer teaching to your classroom, read A study from the For more benefits and examples of inquiry-based learning, as well as how to effectively use it in your classroom, read For more ideas about problem-based learning and tips for designing projects, read A popular article from For more information on formal and informal cooperative learning, as well as cooperative base group strategies, read Reading isn't every student's favorite subject. With Reciprocal teaching involves students in reading and gets them excited to learn. Learners are asked to And the technique can even be adapted for math class: For more ideas about reciprocal teaching, read For more information on the six blended learning models and how to use them with your students, read Diverse classrooms are an amazing opportunity for teachers, but it can also be difficult to reach students with dramatically different backgrounds or learning styles. For the full list, read Use For more interdisciplinary teaching activities and tips on how to get started, read According to the Service learning contains five steps: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 There are lots of other ways to teach valuable media literacy lessons to students -- check out our For more ways to encourage a growth mindset in your classroom, read 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 The applications are endless: use In order to be an effective teacher, you need to have access to resources that allow you to continuously grow your skills. According to 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 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 >best qualities a teacher can have is a willingness to try new teaching strategies. Effective Teaching and Learning, educational researcher Naga Subramani argues that 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."
Is that you? There's more than one way to teach a diverse and dynamic classroom. In this post you'll find:
Classroom teaching strategies

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

Model ideal behaviour: Clearly explain proper behaviour, and then follow it yourself.

Encourage initiative: Allow students to actively participate in the learning process.

2. Flexible seating
20 Classroom Management Strategies and Techniques [+Downloadable List]. 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."
3. Webb's Depth of Knowledge
Flexible Seating: 21 Awesome Ideas for Your Classroom. There are four DoK levels: 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.

Level one: Recollection and reproduction

Level two: Knowledge application

Level four: Extended critical thinking

4. Summative assessment
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. Specific Ways to Use Webb's Depth of Knowledge in Class.
5. Formative assessment
Summative assessments are end-of-unit tests, final projects or standardized tests used to assess student understanding on a broad and absolute level.
Formative Assessment Summative Assessment
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. Summative Assessment: A Comprehensive Guide> for ideas on how to get students engaged with the testing process. Some examples of formative assessment techniques include: Formative assessments are the opposite of summative assessments because they take place during the teaching process.
6. Active learning

"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: 20 Formative Assessment Examples to Try [+Downloadable List].

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.

7. Differentiated instruction
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: "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. 8 Active Learning Strategies and Examples [+ Downloadable List].
8. Personalized learning
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:
"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. 20 Differentiated Instruction Strategies and Examples [+ Downloadable List].
9. Universal design for learning (UDL)
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: personalized learning builds a learning experience that addresses the unique abilities of each student. Gates Foundation, personalized learning can improve test scores when used to supplement math class:
10. Response to intervention
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. 7 Personalized Learning Strategies and Examples.
Math teaching strategies

11. Classroom technology
There are an endless number of ways to 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.

Universal Design for Learning: Principles and Examples for 2019.
12. Math games
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. 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.

The Teacher's Response to Intervention (RTI) Guide: Tiers, Strategies and More.
13. Math websites
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. 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
25 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom [+ Downloadable List].
14. Mental math
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. Is mental math really a teaching strategy? Of course! "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." 20 Engaging, Skill-Building Math Games for Kids [1st to 8th Grade]. There's lots of resources available to boost mental math skills, including: 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.
15. Common Core math
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.

16. Solve math problems faster
15 Helpful Math Websites for Teachers & 5 to Share with Kids [+ Downloadable List]. 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: 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. defines mental math as:
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? 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! 12 Practices to Improve Students' Mental Math + Downloadable List.
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. 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.

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!

19. Multiplying fractions
8 Common Core Math Standards, Explained [+ Examples]. 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: Teaching students to solve math problems quickly and without help can improve confidence and math fluency.
20. How to divide fractions
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

How to Solve Math Problems Faster: 15 Techniques to Show Students.
21. Math puzzles
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

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:
Student-focused teaching strategies

22. Gamification
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.

multiplication games include:
23. Convergent and divergent thinking
15 Multiplication Games to Make Math Lessons Fun. multiplying fractions.
24. Project-based learning
How to Multiply Fractions (+ 7 Engaging Activities). Project-based learning is open-ended, and allows students working in groups 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. Dividing them. 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.
25. Experiential learning
means.

Traditional learning activities Experiential learning activities

Explain knowledge or skills by transferring information

Develop knowledge and skills through experience

How to Divide Fractions in 3 Easy Steps. 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. 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."
26. Peer teaching
20 Math Puzzles to Engage Your Students. 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: 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.
27. Inquiry-based learning
How to Gamify your Classroom in 5 Easy Steps. 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

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.
28. Problem-based learning
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. How to Teach Convergent and Divergent Thinking: Definitions, Examples, Templates and More. 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. Project-based learning allows students to be fully immersed in an authentic and nuanced problem that has real-life implications.
29. Cooperative learning

Positive interdependence: Each group member is valuable

Accountability: Students accept responsibility for their roles

Soft skills instruction: Lessons and activities about teamwork

Group processing: Group should use strategies on how to meet their goals

The Definitive Guide to Project-Based Learning: Definition, Debates, Ideas and Examples.
30. Reciprocal teaching
experiential learning activities to counter student disengagement and get them involved in the learning process.
31. Blended learning
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. 7 Experiential Learning Activities to Engage Students.
32. Culturally responsive teaching
pioneering 1988 study found it improved self-esteem and interpersonal skills. 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: 15 Easy Peer Teaching Strategies to Help Students.
33. Interdisciplinary teaching
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. 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.

34. Service learning
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. All About Inquiry-Based Learning: Definition, Benefits and Strategies. 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. 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: 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. 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Problem-Based Learning [+ Activity Design Steps].

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?

Deconstruct advertising language: Explore and critique advertising claims that companies make. Pass out magazines and online ads for students to examine and analyze.

Cooperative learning is one of the most universal teaching strategies. It empowers students to work together and gives teachers a chance to deliver targeted, small-group learning.
36. Growth mindset
Theory into Practice details five essential aspects of cooperative learning: 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: The Guide to Cooperative Learning: Principles and Strategies for Each Type.

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.

reciprocal teaching techniques, you can turn even the most reluctant reader into a bookworm.
Resources for effectively using teaching strategies
predict what a text is about, ask questions about what they don't understand, one study found that reciprocal teaching in math can improve understanding of word-based problems, and can help students understand questions better. re-read for clarification, and 4 Reciprocal Teaching Strategies to Use. summarize what the text is saying -- instead of just absorbing material as quickly as possible.
Google
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. 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. How to Put the Six Blended Learning Models into Action [+ Examples & Download].
Sign up now
Click here for more tips on how to use Prodigy in your classroom. Culturally responsive teaching aims to link content with students' contemporary and ancestral cultures.
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.

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
15 Culturally-Responsive Teaching Strategies and Examples + Downloadable List.
"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."
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.
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.
Parents
10 Interdisciplinary Teaching Activities and Examples [+ Unit Design Steps]. 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 strategies
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." 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? Preparation, Action, Reflection, Demonstration, Celebration 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. The Teacher's Guide to Service Learning [+5 Examples].
Sign up now
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: Teaching Media Literacy: Its Importance and 10 Engaging Activities [+Downloadable List] blog post for more ideas. 10 Ways Teachers can Instill a Growth Mindset in Students. Your students will benefit for the rest of their lives. Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam -- without ever leaving the classroom. 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. 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: blog post about new teaching techniques. report card comments. Create or log in to your teacher account on Prodigy - a free, game-based learning platform for math that's easy to use for educators and students alike. Aligned with curricula across the English-speaking world, it's loved by more than a million teachers and 50 million students.

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Discover five ways to gamify your classroom to boost engagement, collaboration and learning.