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BetterLesson Instructional Strategies
BetterLesson Instructional Strategies provide ready-to-use resources and step-by-step guidance to help education professionals grow in their practice.
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Social-Emotional Learning
Prepare students with the self-awareness, relational, and decision-making skills needed to succeed in school and in life
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Social-Emotional Learning
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Self-Regulation Strategies
Students use self-regulation strategies like mental breaks, body and movement breaks, fidgets, and self-talk to maximize their learning
Self Awareness Moments
Self Awareness Moments help students navigate strong emotions and difficult situations to make better decisions
Collaborative Conversations for Behaviorally Challenging Students
Have a conversation with a student to collaboratively identify solutions to prevent challenging behavior
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Project Based Learning
Engage students with real-world, inquiry-based tasks
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Project Based Learning
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Building Driving Questions
Driving questions initiate and focus the inquiry and learning throughout a project while creating an interest and challenge for students
Comprehensive PBL Rubric
Want to assess both content mastery and design thinking/process skills during project based learning? Try the comprehensive PBL rubric!
Planning a PBL: Design Thinking Backwards Planning for Teachers
Starting a unit or project with the end goal in mind helps teachers to authentically integrate all content and plan the steps to achieve the
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Formative Assessment and Differentiation
Provide students with multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding, track their progress, and guide their future learning
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Formative Assessment and Differentiation
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Microgrouping to Provide Feedback
Microgrouping to Provide Feedback supports students to receive targeted feedback specific to their learning needs
Fill in the Gaps
Fill in the gaps supports students to review assessment data and set goals for improvement over two days in which they work to fill the gaps
Analyzing Student Data to Inform Instruction
Transform student data into educator action
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Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning
Create learning communities in which all students can be seen, heard, and valued
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Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning
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Classroom Management Reconsidered
Effective classroom management creates a welcoming learning environment that supports all learners, even when they experience challenges
Creating and Implementing a Family Partnership Plan
Forming authentic, trusting relationships with your students' families is a foundational part of building an inviting learning community
Teaching Social Justice in the Primary Classroom
When students learn about social justice at an early age, they are more likely to apply a lens of social justice to their interactions with
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Competency-Based Learning
Create personalized learning paths that allow students to progress toward goals and demonstrate competency in flexible formats
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Competency-Based Learning
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Mastery Map and Standard-Based Peer Tutors
In a self-paced or mastery based learning environment, building a mastery map and a network of student experts can help
Pre-Assessing With Purpose
A pre-assessment is the foundation of a Competency-Based Progression as it allows students and teacher to focus on what is most needed
Involving Students in the Creation of Mastery Levels and Rubrics
When students are involved in defining what mastery look like for a process or a product, chances of buy-in and success increase
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Collaborative Professional Learning
Develop a collaborative professional culture to support student-centered teaching and learning
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Collaborative Professional Learning
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Try-Measure-Learn (TML): The Heart of Continuous Improvement
Change teaching and learning one step at a time using the BetterLesson coaching model
Create a Define-Explore-Build Workshop
These three steps support Instructional Leaders to create more personalized and purposeful workshops for their teachers
Building a Professional Learning Community
In a Professional Learning Community, many hands make light work
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OUR 6-8 / IM 6-12 Math
Support educators to implement the student-centered, problem-based OUR Math Curriculum in grades 6-8 and IM Math Curriculum in grades 6-12
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OUR 6-8 / IM 6-12 Math
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Strategically Planning to Internalize a Lesson in OUR 6-8/IM 6-12 Math
Identify key elements of the lesson to focus on scope and depth, anticipate student responses, and to plan instructional routines
Stronger and Clearer Each Time [MLR 1]
Several quick structured discussion opportunities help students revise and refine their ideas, making them stronger and clearer each time
Information Gap [MLR 4]
Give each student different pieces of information needed to solve a problem so they must communicate and work together with peers
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EL Education
Strategically implement EL Education K-8 Language Arts curriculum to support student-centered literacy instruction
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EL Education
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Skills Block Overview Guides
These Overview Guides synthesize key information from Skills Block Modules
EL Education Module Overview Guides
Module Overview Guides synthesize key information from each module
ALL Block Overview Guides
ALL Block Overview Guides synthesize key information from the module
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Newsela
Supercharge reading engagement and infuse literacy skills across content areas using Newsela
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Newsela
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Newsela Gallery Walk with Secondary Students
A Gallery Walk heightens engagement by allowing students to move around the room, engage in discussion, and have choice in their learning
Jigsaw Reading Using Newsela with Secondary Students
Each student becomes an expert on an article then teaches the group so that the group can draw connections based on what they have learned
Identifying a Central Idea and Supporting Details Using Newsela with Secondary Students
Explicit, individualized feedback allows students to more effectively develop central ideas and support them with text evidence
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Leading Through Change
Lead the improvement of teaching, learning, and overall school climate to enhance student achievement and success
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Leading Through Change
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Creating a Distributed Leadership Model: Meet Demands by Sharing the Load
Do more by collaboratively sharing the guidance and direction of a school
Developing a Shared Vision for Implementing an Instructional Model in the School Community
Setting the course to succeed in a specific learning goal in your school means knowing the direction
Analyzing Student Data to Inform Instruction
Transform student data into educator action
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Instructional Coaching
Provide teachers with personalized coaching cycles that support them to grow and develop their teaching practice
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Instructional Coaching
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Coaching Observation
Coaching observations focus on using objective classroom data to identify the impact of a teacher's actions on student learning
Try-Measure-Learn (TML): The Heart of Continuous Improvement
Change teaching and learning one step at a time using the BetterLesson coaching model
Debriefing and Setting Next Steps
To improve our coaching practice we must reflect and develop next steps
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Student-Centered Literacy
Develop students' literacy skills by supporting student ownership of evidence-based reading, writing, speaking, and listening
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Student-Centered Literacy
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Literature Circles and Book Clubs
Literature Circles are a great way to increase student reading and engagement
Practicing and Self-Evaluating Reading Fluency
Support students to practice reading fluently, assess their own fluency, and then reflect on it with their teacher
Socratic Seminar Discussion
Socratic Seminars support students to discuss complex texts or topics, and are forums for them to build both speaking and listening skills
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Student-Centered Math
Create engaging mathematics classrooms where students discuss their mathematical ideas, problem-solve, and think critically
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Student-Centered Math
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Notice and Wonder
Support students to enter the content by engaging in the I Notice/I Wonder protocol
Number Talks
Number talks support students to increase fluency by discussing and critiquing structure, patterns, and mathematical properties
Which One Doesn't Belong?
Support students to reason mathematically by determining which figure, diagram, graph, or expression does not belong
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Blended Learning
Leverage technology in the classroom to maximize student learning and growth
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Blended Learning
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Strategic Design of Blended Learning
Blended learning teachers deliberately design all elements of their students' experience to meet desired learning outcomes
Launching a New Digital Solution in Your Classroom
Taking intentional steps to launch new digital solutions in your classroom will lead to effective implementation for student success
Developing Digital Literacy Skills and Evaluating Website Credibility
Students conduct research and examine digital resources for credibility to develop digital literacy and digital citizenship
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Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning: Master Teacher Project
Ensure students from all cultures and perspectives have full and equitable access to learning
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Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning: Master Teacher Project
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Exercising Instructional Discretion for Equity
Teachers should reflect on how their decisions and discretion impact students' views of themselves and others
Creating Shared Classroom Values
Shared classroom values are a first step toward understanding what students value and need to feel safe in your classroom
Providing Equitable Course Offerings
Strategically plan to ensure all students have equal access to advanced courses
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Hybrid and Virtual Learning
Deliver equitable, engaging, and student-centered instruction and create supportive learning communities in a remote or hybrid model
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Hybrid and Virtual Learning
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Selecting and Using the Appropriate Digital Assessment Tools for Feedback
Students receive timely, personalized, and actionable feedback as teachers utilize digital assessment tools
Backchannel to Support Student Autonomy and Ownership
Creating a backchannel and empowering students to own it requires careful planning but helps to build a student-centered classroom culture
Using Video for Flipped Learning Environments
Teacher-created learning videos support students to work at their own pace, with personalized embedded supports and checks for understanding
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Adobe
Empower students to think creatively and communicate expressively with Adobe tools
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Adobe
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Explore Semicolons and Colons using Adobe Creative Cloud Express
Students develop a deep understanding of semicolons and colon by creating an Adobe Creative Cloud Express post
Make a How-To Video with Adobe Premiere Rush
Students create a how-to video from scratch that demonstrates knowledge of a given subject area
Design a Destination Poster with Adobe Creative Cloud Express
Students design a destination poster highlighting local attractions without naming the destination
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Meeting the Needs of All Learners: Master Teacher Project
Ensure that teachers can equitably meet the needs of all of the learners in their classrooms and at a distance
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Meeting the Needs of All Learners: Master Teacher Project
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Personalized Newcomer Photo Book
Welcome English Learner student newcomer students into the school with a personalized photo book
DeCypher: Tools to Support Literary Discussion
Discussion tools to support students to develop, revise, and reframe personal and collective connections to a text
Pre-Teaching to Support Content Mastery
Level the playing field by introducing content prior to the lesson
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Empowering Algebra for All
Inclusive and equitable algebra strategies created for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Algebra 1: Balance the Equation Grand Challenge
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Empowering Algebra for All
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Reflecting on the Cultural Responsiveness of a Math Lesson
Use the CRMT-TM Lesson Analysis Tool to reflect on strengths and areas for improvement in how a math lesson promotes thinking and equity
Data Portraits: Visualizing Social Justice in Mathematics
Integrate social justice into mathematics
Upending Power Dynamics with Visibly Random Groupings
Small moves that help challenge societal beliefs about math and ability help create a culture of equity
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Feedback and Observation
A replicable and authentic observation and feedback cycle that promotes aligned student centered goals and non-evaluative conversation
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Feedback and Observation
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GROW: 4 Steps to an Effective Coaching Conversation
Mastering a step by step coaching conversation structure like GROW will help create a foundation for consistent coaching practices
Reflecting on Progress using the PRO Co-Reflective Protocol
This protocol helps to structure a reflective conversation aimed at improving the impact of coaching
Collegial Observation
Both observer and observed learn when colleagues collaboratively observe
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Trauma-Informed Practices
Approach learning with an understanding of the impacts of trauma and adversity on students
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Trauma-Informed Practices
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Thresholding to Greet Students at the Door
Greet students as they enter your classroom to build relationships and provide consistency
Mindfulness Techniques
Embed mindfulness practices into the classroom to help students focus and relax
Positive News Board
Want to build a culture of learning and empathy driven by students? Make a Positive News Board for students to recognize their peers!
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Create inclusive educational ecosystems by examining structures, systems, and beliefs informed by race and identity
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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Building Equity Awareness and Capacity
Being culturally responsive involves learning about your own perceptions of students & then creating equitable learning experiences for them
Analyzing Classroom and School Structures with the Social Discipline Window
Teachers and school leaders can use the social discipline window as a tool to determine how often they are restorative or punitive
Windows and Mirrors
Building empathy and perspective for both you and your students
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English Learners
Support all English Learners to grow and thrive in their learning environments
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English Learners
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Creating and Using Language and Content Objectives for English Learners
Content and language objectives support English Learners in identifying what they will learn and how they will learn it
Supporting English Learners with Sensory, Graphic, and Interactive Scaffolds
Scaffolding is an essential practice to support English Learners and can be grouped into three categories: Sensory, Graphic, and Interactive
Controlled Speaking Activities for English Language Learners
Low-stakes speaking activities for ELs to encourage the accurate use of the target language
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Students with Disabilities
Support students with disabilities to learn, grow, and thrive in their learning environments
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Students with Disabilities
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Unpacking an IEP to Support Students to Meet their Goals
A general educator can unpack a student's IEP to help them meet their goals and a special educator can support them to do so
Pre-Teaching to Support Content Mastery
Level the playing field by introducing content prior to the lesson
Building an Understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
This conceptual strategy will support you to develop an understanding of the Universal Design for Learning.
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Accelerating Growth
Close academic gaps and provide differentiated support for all students
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Accelerating Growth
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Fill in the Gaps
Fill in the gaps supports students to review assessment data and set goals for improvement over two days in which they work to fill the gaps
Pre-Teaching to Support Content Mastery
Level the playing field by introducing content prior to the lesson
Building an Understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
This conceptual strategy will support you to develop an understanding of the Universal Design for Learning.
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Labster
Support students to engage in authentic, investigative science lab simulations using Labster
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Labster
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Colored Cards to Advocate for Help During a Labster Simulation
Support students to ask for support from their teacher during a Labster simulation by using colored cards
Using Backwards Design to Integrate a Labster Simulation into a Unit or Lesson
Addressing a standard with the end goal in mind supports teachers to meaningfully integrate a Labster simulation into a unit or lesson
Verbal Lab Report of a Labster Simulation
Assess student understanding of a Labster simulation with a verbal lab report which provides an alternate mode to demonstrate mastery
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Derivita
Support educators to use the Derivita platform to support student-centered math learning
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Derivita
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OUR K-5 / IM K-5 Math
Strategically implement the OUR K-5/IM K-5 Math curriculum to create engaging, student-centered mathematics classrooms
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OUR K-5 / IM K-5 Math
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Sticky Note Lesson Planning
Use sticky notes to internalize and plan your OUR K-5/IM K-5 Math Lesson
Which One Doesn't Belong?
Support students to reason mathematically by determining which figure, diagram, graph, or expression does not belong
Notice and Wonder
Support students to enter the content by engaging in the I Notice/I Wonder protocol
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OpenSciEd
OpenSciEd is an open resource science curriculum that uses student curiosity and investigation to make sense of scientific phenomena.
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OpenSciEd
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Multiple Ways to Demonstrate Knowledge of a Scientific Concept
Students can write a story, create a video, or draw a cartoon to demonstrate their understanding of a scientific concept
Finding Evidence in a Scientific Article to Support a Claim
Use the tools in this strategy to support students to find evidence in a scientific text
Navigating the OpenSciEd Materials
This navigation strategy provides a detailed description of the OpenSciEd unit materials
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Teachership
Support early career teachers to improve their practice and create student-centered classrooms
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Teachership
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Classroom Management Reconsidered
Effective classroom management creates a welcoming learning environment that supports all learners, even when they experience challenges
Modeling and Repeated Practice of Expectations, Routines, and Procedures
Modeling and repeated practice leads to better results and more success for students
Creating and Improving Class Rules and Procedures with Students
A classroom culture cannot be student-centered if students do not have a voice in designing and improving it
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Meaningful Tech Integration
Incorporating technology in an intentional, meaningful way involves shifting the classroom from being teacher-centered to student-centered
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Meaningful Tech Integration
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Digital Portfolios
Digital portfolios showcase learning and growth through multiple media, including video and audio recordings
Using Video for Flipped Learning Environments
Teacher-created learning videos support students to work at their own pace, with personalized embedded supports and checks for understanding
Genius Hour
Genius Hour supports students to choose learning experiences based on personal interests while targeting skills like critical thinking
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Students with Disabilities
This focus area is meant to support students with disabilities in the the general education classroom.
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Students with Disabilities
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