During the summer, I am sharing thematic posts bringing together responses on similar topics from the past 11 years. You can see all those collections from the first 10 years here.

Today’s theme is instructional strategies.

You can see the list following this excerpt from one of the posts:

1. ‘Arts & Crafts': Busywork or Enhanced Learning?

With planning, teachers can use creative projects to add value to the curriculum. Read more.

2. Want to Have Fun in the Classroom? Try Learning Games

They’re valuable for a host of reasons, including assessing students’ background knowledge and building a trusting community. Read more.

3. 17 Favorite Classroom-Learning Games

Educators share learning games that can be used in all subject areas. Read more.

4. 8 1/2 Things That Have Been Working This Year & 6 That Haven’t

Increased use of learning games, personalized learning, and peer tutors have helped. TikTok threats and student cellphone, not at all. Read more.

5. How to Keep Art Front and Center in Instruction

Three educators wrap up a series on using art in content classes by discussing their use of picture books, recycling projects, and more. Read more.

6. Strategies for Using Art in Math, English, Science, and History

Employing art to explore geometric patterns and to scaffold essay writing are among the ways educators can use art in their classes. Read more.

7. 13 Ways to Use Art in Content Classes

Bringing art to assessments, to increase vocabulary knowledge, and to practice grammar are ways teachers incorporate it in their classes. Read more.

8. These Small Moves Can Make Outsized Differences in Class

“Scaffolded conversations” is one idea educators share for small and effective changes teachers can make in classrooms. Read more.

9. 6 Small Instructional Changes Teachers Can Make for Big Results

Increasing “wait time,” offering students more choice, and differentiating instruction in simple ways are a few manageable changes. Read more.

10. Four Favorite Physical Education Instructional Strategies—Recommended by Teachers!

Differentiated instruction is among the favorite strategies three educators employ in teaching physical education. Read more.

More Q&A posts about instructional strategies:

• Video: What Is ‘Transfer of Learning’ and How Does It Help Students?
• The What, Why, and How of ‘Interleaving’
• Ten Ways I’ll Be Teaching Differently Next Year
• Students’ Questions Can ‘Drive Their Learning’
• ‘Students Will Ask Great Questions If We Give Them the Chance’
• ‘Cultivating Student Questioning Is Not a Onetime Thing’
• 10 Strategies for Encouraging Students to Ask Questions
• ‘The Essence of Critical Thinking Is Testing Claims With Evidence’
• Integrating Critical Thinking Into the Classroom
• Eight Instructional Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking
• Ten Ways to Use Retrieval Practice in the Classroom
• Improving Instruction With Student Data
• Using Data to Support Students
• ‘Memorization Often Comes Without Understanding’
• The Roles of Memorization in Teaching & Learning
• Movement Helps Make ‘Learning Joyful & Magical’
• Eight Ways to Use Movement in Teaching & Learning
• Five Ways to Use Music in Lessons
• Strategies for Using Music in ALL Subjects
• ‘Teaching That Activates and Leverages Background Knowledge Is an Equity Issue’
• The Whys & Hows of Activating Students’ Background Knowledge
• Effective Ways Students Can Teach Their Classmates
• Students Can Become ‘Co-Teachers’
• The Value of ‘Peer Teaching’
• Students as Teachers in the Classroom
• The Best Lessons ‘Linger in Memories for Years to Come’
• ‘The Best Lesson I Taught’
• Ways to Make Lessons ‘Great’
• ‘Games Absolutely Have a Role in Teaching and Learning!’
• Ways to Use Games Effectively in the Classroom
• ‘Textbooks Are Terrible’
• Use the Lead-Up Time to School Breaks for ‘Hidden’ Learning Opportunities
• Teachers Must Encourage Students to ‘Make Meaning Together’
• ‘Collaborative Learning Does Not Happen Magically’
• ‘A Powerful Purpose Propels Effective Student Collaboration’
• A Warm-Up ‘Mindset’ Helps Students & Teachers
• Important ‘Moves for Teacher Success’
• Underutilized Teaching Ideas
• Instructional Strategies Teachers Might Be Missing
• Underused Teaching and Learning Strategies
• Students Can ‘Own Their Learning Through Creating Questions’
• ‘Questions Are to a Teacher What the Lasso of Truth Is to Wonder Woman’
• ‘Questions Are the Currency of Learning’
• Using Questions That ‘Position Students as Meaning Makers’
• Ways to Use Questions Effectively in the Classroom
• ‘Strong Structures’ Are Needed for Effective Classroom Discussions
• ‘Trust, Challenge, & Wonder’ Are Needed for Classroom Discussions
• Effective Classroom Discussions Don’t Happen ‘Magically’
• Strategies for Creating a Successful IB or AP Program
• Genius Hours Can Be ‘Transformative’
• Ways to Promote Transfer of Learning
• Learning ‘Transfer Is Our Collective Goal’
• Bloom’s & SOLO ‘Are Not Just Colorful Posters We Hang on the Wall’
• Ways to Use Learning ‘Taxonomies’ in the Classroom
• ‘Great Field Trips Expand the Mind’
• Leveraging Field Trips to ‘Deepen Learning’
• ‘Field Trips Are Powerful Learning Experiences’
• How to Use Data—& How Not to Use It—in Schools
• ‘Best Practices’ Are Practices That Work Best for Your Students
• ‘Start by Matching Student Interests, Then Build From There’
• ‘Help Students Be Organized by Being Organized Yourself’
• Practical Ideas to Help Students & Teachers Stay Organized
• The Role of Arts Education in Schools
• Best Homework Practices
• Several Ways We Can Help Students Develop Their Creativity
• Several Ways to Help Students Become Better Listeners
• Several Ways to Teach Critical-Thinking Skills
• Thoughts on the Meaning of ‘Rigor’

Explore other thematic posts:

• It Was Another Busy School Year. What Resonated for You?
• How to Best Address Race and Racism in the Classroom
• Schools Just Let Out, But What Are the Best Ways to Begin the Coming Year?
• Classroom Management Starts With Student Engagement
• Teacher Takeaways From the Pandemic: What’s Worked? What Hasn’t?
• The School Year Has Ended. What Are Some Lessons to Close Out Next Year?
• Student Motivation and Social-Emotional Learning Present Challenges. Here’s How to Help
• How to Challenge Normative Gender Culture to Support All Students
• What Students Like (and Don’t Like) About School
• Technology Is the Tool, Not the Teacher
• How to Make Parent Engagement Meaningful
• Teaching Social Studies Isn’t for the Faint of Heart
• Differentiated Instruction Doesn’t Need to Be a Heavy Lift
• How to Help Students Embrace Reading. Educators Weigh In
• 10 Strategies for Reaching English-Learners
• 10 Ways to Include Teachers in Important Policy Decisions
• 10 Teacher-Proofed Strategies for Improving Math Instruction
• Give Students a Role in Their Education
• Are There Better Ways Than Standardized Tests to Assess Students? Educators Think So
• How to Meet the Challenges of Teaching Science
• If I’d Only Known. Veteran Teachers Offer Advice for Beginners
• Writing Well Means Rewriting, Rewriting, Rewriting
• Christopher Emdin, Gholdy Muhammad, and More Education Authors Offer Insights to the Field
• How to Build Inclusive Classrooms
• What Science Can Teach Us About Learning
• The Best Ways for Administrators to Demonstrate Leadership
• Listen Up: Give Teachers a Voice in What Happens in Their Schools
• 10 Ways to Build a Healthier Classroom
• Educators Weigh In on Implementing the Common Core, Even Now
• What’s the Best Professional-Development Advice? Teachers and Students Have Their Say