Teaching Strategies that engage all students

Start all lessons with an engage portion: being motivated and engaged in
learning has been shown to be a key influencer in student success.
Have engage portion be a discrepant event that provokes cognitive
dissonance: Students are more likely to be intrigued and engaged to learn
when they experience something that doesnt quite make sense to them, but
that they are motivated to figure out.
State outcome or objective: Knowing where the lesson is going is important
for students to known when they have achieved it.
State agenda for the day: This can be an important Tier 1 support so students
know what is coming up for that day, when they can move around, talk, have
quiet time, etc.
Plan a variety of activities: Providing varied lesson instruction that includes
hands-on learning, visual input, auditory input, kinesthetic input,
reading/writing, drawing, computer simulations and games. Variety offers a
rich experience in synthesizing new information, while allowing student to
feel successful in their learning domain.
Allow students to talk!: A large portion of meaning-making in science
happens when students are able to explain and argue their ideas to their
peers.
Get student input on redirections: If a student needs reminders during the
class period to maintain classroom behavior expectations, talk to the student
first so that they are in the loop.
Create a positive and encouraging classroom atmosphere: I drill No fear, no
embarrassment so students are able to express their ideas and take risks in
a comfortable and supportive environment.
Give timely feedback. Students appreciate knowing how they did, including
their strengths and areas for improvement.
Use student input and interests in planning a lesson: Students will feel valued
in the classroom and in the learning environment if their interests and culture
is reflected in the material. Example: plan a force and motion physics lesson
around basketball.
Leverage community assets: Allow students to see classroom material as
beneficial in the community. Recruit family or community members to come
in to talk to the class, or volunteer in the classroom. Seeing student role
models in the classroom will increase student motivation.
Offer incentive systems for target behavior: I have four mindsets that I
want to cultivate in all my learners. When they exhibit those traits, they are
rewarded or receive some sort of token.
Allow students to connect their work ethic to their success: I have students
track their behavior as well as their mastery on daily objectives. Seeing the
connection helps engage students in classroom expectations.

Allow students to monitor success: Students can track their progress on

individual objectives and compare it to a summative assessment. This can
build momentum for students, and allow them to be reflective on their growth
in the classroom.