
Set Goals To Support Students Developing Agency
Work with students to help them create their own goals to direct their learning in an authentic way. Example: Through... View Article

Use Stories or Puppets in Social Problem Solving
Use stories or puppets to model and role-play children’s challenging social situations in order to look for possible solutions. Example:... View Article

Prime Students for Discussion with Free-Writing
Have students write low-stakes responses to a brief prompt to help get them ready for discussion. Example: At the start... View Article

Invite Students to Develop Assessment Criteria
Students feel more engaged when they have the chance to determine criteria for how their writing will be assessed. Example:... View Article

Use Self Scoring to Increase Reflection
Before submitting an assignment, ask students to complete a self score using the same rubric you will use for grading.... View Article

Use Graded Writing to Set Goals
At the end of each writing unit, have students analyze their scored writing to develop personal goals for the next... View Article

Create Student Portfolios for Reflection
Instead of passing back graded work to take home, have students reflect on their graded work with a portfolio. Example:... View Article

Prove Understanding with Student Self-made Quiz
Give students the opportunity to show what they know by creating their own quizzes at the end of a unit,... View Article

Increase Choice Through Learning Menus
When asking students to meet an objective, give them options for work products with learning menus. Example: When reading a shared... View Article

Hold Grading Conferences to Provide Feedback
Instead of (or in addition to) passing graded papers back to students, hold short grading conferences with each student to... View Article

Invite Students to Self- and Peer-Assess
Students can be taught how to use evaluation criteria to critique, give feedback, and reflect on their own and peer’s... View Article

Install Plugins for Chrome that Customize Display
Google Chrome offers free plugins that allow users to customize the display of text and images, allowing greater access to... View Article

Use Concept Maps to Assess Before Instruction
Teachers can assess student awareness of concepts and key terms before beginning instruction by asking students to map out the... View Article

Create a Menu of Activities
Students benefit from choice during work periods and break periods to increase self-regulation, provide autonomy and encourage cooperation. Example: Provide... View Article

Task Oriented Checklists
Use task checklists with students to demystify lesson objectives and help them track their progress. Example: Provide student with a... View Article

Allow Students to Order Their Tasks
During a period, students can order tasks that need to be completed in order of preference; this promotes interest and... View Article

Use of a Timer
Students may benefit from a timer for a variety of reasons, including motivation, self-regulation, and attention to task. Example: A... View Article

Use Rubrics to Help Assess
Give students a clear picture of how they will be assessed, especially on performance tasks. Example: A teacher gives her... View Article

Avoid Giving Harmful Feedback
Give students feedback that impacts sustenance of effort. Example: Further Reading: CAST Professional Learning – Mastery Oriented Feedback Card Edutopia... View Article

Praise Effort, Not Traits
Provide positive reinforcement for specific actions, instead of stable traits. Example: “I like how you tried _____________ and then thought of other ways to answer the... View Article

Honor Process Improvements
Positively reinforce productive approaches to learning. Example: “I notice that you are thinking deeply about______________. That kind of thinking is going to help you improve... View Article

Boost Confidence During the Learning Process
During the learning process, make efforts to encourage student involvement and create a sense of personal responsibility. Example: “This was... View Article

Emphasize Progress Despite Setbacks
Illuminate ways in which struggle or even failure lead to more successful attempts. Example: “I like how you looked at your results... View Article

Give Growth-Based Feedback
Give specific feedback to students which emphasizes their growth and improvement relative to their own progress, not to that of others.... View Article

Help Students Set Their Own Goals
Assist students in setting goals that are appropriate to their levels and learning needs. Example: “What goals would you like to set... View Article