Standard 1 - Engaging and Supporting All Students in Learning

Teachers know and care about their students to engage them in learning. They connect learning to students’ prior knowledge, backgrounds, life experiences, and interests. They connect subject matter to meaningful, real-life contexts. Teachers use a variety of instructional strategies, resources, and technologie\s to meet the diverse learning needs of students. They promote critical thinking through inquiry, problem solving, and reflection. They monitor student learning and adjust instruction while teaching. 

1.4 - Using a variety of instructional strategies, resources, and technologies to meet students’ diverse learning needs

As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”

1. Select and Utilize a Range of Instructional Approaches to Engage Students in Learning?

• Resource: Edutopia’s Comprehensive List of Teaching Strategies

• Edutopia offers a wide range of articles and videos on different teaching strategies that can engage students effectively.

• Resource: The Teaching Center - Washington University in St. Louis

• This resource provides strategies for active learning, which can help keep students engaged.

2. Use a Variety of Strategies to Introduce, Explain, and Restate Subject Matter Concepts and Processes So All Students Understand?

• Resource: Reading Rockets: Classroom Strategies

• This site provides specific strategies for introducing and explaining concepts in ways that are accessible to all students.

• Resource: Khan Academy

• Khan Academy offers video tutorials and exercises that can help introduce and explain subject matter in a clear and engaging way.

3. Help All Students Learn, Practice, Internalize, and Apply Subject-Specific Learning Strategies and Procedures?

• Resource: The Learning Network - The New York Times

• This resource provides real-life examples and exercises that can help students apply what they have learned.

• Resource: Scholastic: Strategies for Teaching Science

• Scholastic offers strategies for teaching subject-specific content, especially in science.

4. Use Differentiated Instruction to Meet the Assessed Learning Needs of Students and Increase Active Participation in Learning?

• Resource: Differentiation Central

• This site is dedicated to providing resources and strategies for differentiated instruction.

• Resource: Understood.org

• Understood.org offers a variety of resources on how to implement differentiated instruction for diverse learners.

5. Adapt Materials and Resources, Make Accommodations, and Use Appropriate Assistive Equipment and Other Technologies to Support Students’ Diverse Learning Needs?

• Resource: CAST: Center for Applied Special Technology

• CAST provides resources on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to help educators create accessible learning environments.

• Resource: Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA)

• ATIA offers information on various assistive technologies that can support diverse learning needs.

6. Utilize Multiple Types of Technology to Facilitate Learning?

• Resource: Common Sense Education

• This site provides reviews and recommendations for educational technology tools that can facilitate learning.

• Resource: EdTechTeacher

• EdTechTeacher offers resources and training on integrating technology into the classroom.

7. Examine and Use Resources That Minimize Bias?

• Resource: Teaching Tolerance

• Teaching Tolerance provides resources on how to create inclusive and equitable learning environments.

• Resource: Zinn Education Project

• This project offers materials that provide diverse perspectives and help minimize bias in teaching.