Toad-ally Exceptional Learners

Many of us have a love/hate relationship with Robert J. Marzano‘s work. His research and others like John Hattie, have impacted the way we teach each and every day.

The topics his research cover include instruction, assessment, writing and implementing standards, cognition, effective leadership and school intervention. These ten design questions by Marzano will improve your teaching and make you a more reflective teacher.

What I like best about him is his advice that teachers need to use their own experiences when implementing his teachings and know that not everything will work for everyone. This certainly is true of all students In The Art and Science of Teaching: A Comprehensive Framework for Effective Instruction, author Robert J. Marzano presents a model for ensuring quality teaching that balances the necessity of research-based data with the equally vital need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual students.

The Science

1. What will I do to establish and communicate learning goals, track student progress, and celebrate success?

2. What will I do to help students effectively interact with new knowledge?

3. What will I do to help students practice and deepen their understanding of new knowledge?

4. What will I do to help students generate and test hypotheses about new knowledge?

5. What will I do to engage students?

6. What will I do to establish or maintain classroom rules and procedures?

7. What will I do to recognize and acknowledge adherence and lack of adherence to classroom rules and procedures?

8. What will I do to establish and maintain effective relationships with students?

9. What will I do to communicate high expectations for all students?

10. What will I do to develop effective lessons organized into a cohesive unit?

Think about this set of questions. How can they help you with your own teaching? How can they help foster individual connections with your students?