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This section explores concrete strategies in four key practice areas that educators can consider using to co-create experiences with students, bringing a personalized, mastery-based, and whole-child approach to life in the context of their own classroom, school, and content area.

Framework graphic showing a student at the center of three overlapping circles: personalized, mastery based, and whole child. This is supported by: Targeted and Relevant, Actively Engaging, Socially Connected, and Growth Oriented learning.
Targeted and Relevant
  • Grade-level learning
  • Individual and small-group instruction
  • Differentiated pathways and material
  • Culturally relevant and sustaining
Actively Engaging
  • Choice and agency
  • Self-directed learning
  • Authentic inquiry and application
  • Knowledge activation and reflection
Socially Connected
  • Peer learning and collaboration
  • Relationship and trust-building
  • Family engagement and involvement
  • Community and civic connection
Growth Oriented
  • Goal-setting and planning
  • Sustained opportunities for practice
  • Meaningful feedback
  • Progress monitoring and reporting

Select Practice Area

Actively Engaging

Learning activities are planned and executed in ways that encourage deep interaction with content, in ways to build motivation and ownership and support the transfer of new knowledge and skills to application.

In this topic, explore the ways in which in-person learning strategies are implemented, including:

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  • Sub-topics
    • Choice and agency
    • Self-directed learning
    • Authentic inquiry and application
    • Knowledge activation and reflection
  • Learning Location
    • hybrid
    • remote
    • in-person
  • Domain
    • science
    • math
    • ela/literacy
    • social studies
    • social emotional learning
    • physical health
    • mental health
    • identity development
    • cognitive development
    • arts
  • Modality
    • asynchronous
    • synchronous
    • analog
    • digital
    • whole group
    • small group
    • individual
  • Grade Level Example
    • elementary
    • middle school
    • high school
  • Educator Action
    • Data Use
    • Planning
    • Intervention
    • Delivery
    • Assessment
    • Collaboration
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Photo of students and teacher in classroom

CICS West Belden

Targeted Large Group Instruction

Using whole groups to maximize efficiency
Male student looks over colorful board on wall

Trailblazer Elementary School

Common Mastery-Based Practices

Creating a common understanding of mastery practices among staff and students
Woman speaks to camera, sitting inside library, with the label Kim Cabana, reading coach in the corner

Pleasant View Elementary School

Pleasant View's Enrichment Academies

Weekly learning time to promote creativity and interdisciplinary learning
image of VideoPairing-strat.png

Video Pairing

Pair a video with an activity to make the learning more active
image of Marzanos-Practice.png

Holmes Elementary School

Marzano's Practice

Student Driven Self-Assessment
Photo of student and teacher giving each other high-five celebrating sucess

Roots Elementary

Moving with Mastery Through Learning Standards

Using data and flexible resources to determine which students are ready for more challenging material
Photo closeup of student working with device with teacher and another student in background

CICS West Belden

Multiple Methods of Support

Use of peers, teachers, and online resources to offer choice in support
Female student points at white board while teacher looks on, smiling

Trailblazer Elementary School

Trailblazer's Opportunity Hour

Creating time for Professional Learning Communities by offering unique learning opportunities to students
image of Teach-back-Tuesdays.png

Dallas Independent School District

Teach-Back Tuesdays

Student-led teaching of a concept or skill
Photo of teacher speaking to large class of students

ReNEW DTA Academy

Teacher-Led Large Group Instruction

Teaching to large heterogeneous groups to maximize efficiency
Student sits alone in lounge chair, working on laptop

Cisco Junior High School

Balancing Student Choice and Needs with Playlists

Students select their work from skill-level appropriate playlists
Photo of student explaining tablet presentation

CICS West Belden

Student Choice in Resources and Assignments through “Menus”

Offering options over when and how to create choice
Photo of group of students seated at table working on laptops

Lindsay High School

Customized Playlists to Keep Learners on Track

Facilitator-created playlists to provide appropriate learning pathways and resources for each Learner
image of Virtual-Summer-STEM-Challenge.png

Meriden Public Schools

Virtual Summer STEM Challenge

A virtual summer STEM weeklong program for 4th graders
Photo of students working on laptops seated at table

Lindsay High School

Power Standards

Highlighting most important learning standards to help students make better choices about what they choose to learn
Student wearing earphones smiles as he works on laptop

Valor Collegiate Academies

Self-Paced Progress through Playlists

Students work through playlists at their own pace
Student speaks, gesturing, while two students look on

Bronx Arena High School

Activity-Based Collaborative Learning Labs

Specific time set aside each morning for students to focus on an additional subject of interest
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Chicago Public Schools

"Walking Time" to Support Standards Mastery

Supporting standards mastery with flexible classroom assignments
Student points at laptop while another looks on

Valor Collegiate Academies

Student Support Structures for Personalized Learning

Providing multiple types of support to balance students’ needs and teachers’ time
Photo of student arm writing in notebook with laptop in background

LPS Richmond

Daily and Weekly Goal-Setting

Students review their data to determine goals for the day and week
Student works off of tablet in front of interactive white board

Lovett Elementary School

Student Choice of Mastery Demonstration

Allowing students to choose how they show mastery of the application of a skill
image of Restructuring-Specials-Schedules.png

Cedar Rapids Community School District

Restructuring Specials Schedules

Increasing frequency of art and music to support students
Student looks up inside classroom from her position seated on the floor

Example: Prior Knowledge - Mental Hooks for Learning (IgnitED Research)

This video shares evidence from the learning sciences and a practitioner perspective around prior knowledge
Close-up of a student working, with pencil in hand, on paper at desk, with blurred view of student to her side

Valor Collegiate Academies

Playlist Data Trackers

Monitoring student progress through a simple, paper-based tool
Teacher speaks with four students in a group at one table

Cisco Junior High School

Targeted Small Group Instruction

Supporting students in small group instruction during individual rotations
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Wheatley Education Campus

Clamshell

Attention grabber and time saver
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NYC School Without Walls

NYC School Without Walls' Approach to Student and Family Engagement

How one hybrid program fostered student and family engagement in a virtual setting
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Highline Public Schools

Highline Virtual Academy's Approach to Student Expectations and Engagement in Virtual Learning

How one virtual program addressed student participation and discourse through expectations
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Hopkins Public Schools

Hybrid Learning With a Focus on In-Person Time for Labs, Hands-On Activities, and Collaboration

Creating time for labs, hands-on activities, and collaboration
Photo of students working together with standing teacher assisting

ReNEW DTA Academy

Emphasizing Assessment Readiness

Students initiate assessments to improve their chances of success
Photo of table with various worksheets laid out for students

LPS Richmond

Team Work Tables

Tables grouped throughout class to enable small groups and improve team orientation
Four folders placed on a wall, each with a different emoji face

Cisco Junior High School

Collecting Quick Feedback with Emoji Folders

Students provide qualitative data each day about how well they think they understand what they are working on
Students smile, talk with books in front of them

Cisco Junior High School

Multiple Options for Working with Partners

Students can frequently choose whether they want to work with others on assignments, and have choices in their learning partners
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Remote Pathways

Virtual, small groups for a personalized experience and support
Teacher holds up smartphone in front of students as they raise pieces of paper

Trailblazer Elementary School

Formative Assessment Tool: Plickers

Collecting formative assessment data instantly with minimal technology use
Teacher speaks to student as she looks at laptop

Bronx Arena High School

Promoting Student Ownership and Agency

Building consistent structures that continually allow students to own their learning experiences
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School District of Cudahy

Taking High School Drama Performance Online

Bringing a drama production to life safely during a pandemic
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Intrinsic Schools

Accountable Talk Stems

Providing students a structure to engage in discussions
Teacher and student speaking, working on laptops

Bronx Arena High School

Conferencing to Set and Review Goals

Collaborative check-ins to ensure progress and productivity
Photo of teacher working with two students

CICS West Belden

Progress Triangulation

Looking at profile, pathway, and ongoing data to assess student progress
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Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Give students a chance to incorporate movement in an engaging way
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Virtual Award System

Reinforcing positive behaviors by offering a choice of reward
Photo closeup of teacher with open laptop speaking to students in classroom

Lindsay High School

Daily Large Group Instruction

Using daily whole class instruction to address common needs
Two students seated beside each other work at their desks

Vocabulary Frames

Matching words with functions
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Holmes Elementary School

Workshop

Student Led Collaborative Groups
Teacher talks directly with student

Bronx Arena High School

Co-Creating Graduation Plans with Credit Mapping

Students and teachers map out learning and graduation goals and create a plan to achieve them
Two students work inside classroom, looking at laptop together

Lovett Elementary School

Student Choice of Learning Partners

Enabling students to determine how they work best and trusting the choice they make
Shot of a student's back as he looks at a bulletin board with various words on it

Interactive Visual Vocabulary

Building understanding of vocabulary through visual means
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Konini Primary School

Infinity Learning Maps

A practical learning-how-to-learn tool for teachers to use with students and families
Photo closeup of bottom of computer and top of keyboard and hands typing and holding pencil

LPS Richmond

Work at Home

24/7 access to provide students more autonomy over when and where they learn
Example of learner pathways showing different folders for math topics

Trailblazer Elementary School

Promoting Personalization through Learner Pathways

Students choose how to engage with learning activities based on daily pre-assessments and personal preferences
Student speaks with teacher, smiling

Locust Grove Middle School

Teacher-Student Conferences

Individualized conferencing for students to discuss appropriate academic progress and supports
View of classroom bulletin board with post-it notes; bulletin board reads, "Why We Love Arena 8"

Bronx Arena High School

Arenas (Four-Hour Time Blocks)

Large blocks of time that enable students to work through their courses with flexible, personalized supports
Photo of teacher standing and speaking with seated student working on her laptop

Lindsay High School

Learner Accountability for Grading

Learner responsibility to ensure the gradebook reflects their most recent learning progress
Students work individually on laptops

Bronx Arena High School

Demonstrating Mastery with Two Challenges and a Capstone

Students complete challenges to progress through a course and a capstone to earn a credit
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West Chester Area School District's Cyber Program

West Chester Area School District's Approach to Mastery and Expectations

How a virtual/hybrid program addressed student mastery and expectations around rigor for virtual learning
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Meriden Public Schools

Building Multilingual Systems of Support and Engagement for Parents/Guardians

Providing multilingual support to engage parents/guardians in their child’s remote learning experience
Worksheet containing definitions of different levels of mastery

Lindsay High School

Exhibition Nights

Public presentations to demonstrate mastery and develop real-world skills
Students sit together in classroom, looking at laptops, while one looks up and raises his hand

Example: Learner-Led Classroom Management (IgnitED Research)

This video shares evidence from the learning sciences and a practitioner perspective around classroom management.
Photo of two students working together with notebooks and laptop computers

ReNEW DTA Academy

Student Support Structures

Creating a structure of supports to help struggling students
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Student Badges

Micro-credentials for students who demonstrate specific skills
Photo of student working on her tablet device

CICS West Belden

Defaulting to Independent Learning Time

Shared expectation to keep students on task
Students sit on floor, looking down and writing in folders

Trailblazer Elementary School

Trailblazer's Team-Based Flexible Learning Spaces

Students move between learning spaces based on their learning preferences and needs
Student writes on paper in front of laptop

Bronx Arena High School

Senior Portfolios

Culminating projects that seniors design, work through, and present to demonstrate high levels of learning self-management
View of bulletin board showing class progress markers

Bronx Arena High School

Providing Productivity Guidance through Tasks and a Banking System

Students work on different courses in different places, but all are expected to complete five learning tasks each day
Student writing on a notepad

Say Something Cards

Giving students scaffolding for peer-led classroom conversations
Screenshot of workspace with virtual sticky notes in various colored, layered atop one another. The visible sticky notes read: can teachers within subject areas do more cross-planning and instruction? Have at-home students collaborate for discussions together. Combine the “back-to-normal” with the “new curriculum” by having teachers collaborate on more project-based across content areas so that the courses aren’t siloed during this time. Co-Design future learning experiences with students to explore new ways of learning (and to build ownership). Can an assignment be envisioning a new normal? What do the students wish for?

Virtual Collaboration with Jamboard

Bringing sticky-note activities into the virtual world
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Cedar Rapids Community School District

Remote Classroom Jobs

Creating classroom jobs for students in remote learning environments
Photo of classroom with indication showing student is signing up for assessment on the whiteboard at front of class

Pleasant View Elementary School

Supporting Student-Initiated Assessment

"Low-tech" system to prompt assessments without interrupting learning of group
image of Career-Oriented-Learning-Work.png

Mendon-Upton Regional School District

Community Partnerships for Career-Oriented Learning Work

Project-based learning with future careers in mind
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Quick Hands

Utilizing the hand-raising feature to ensure equitable participation
Four students sit at grouped desks alongside two educators inside classroom

Lovett Elementary School

Multi-age Learning Pods

Grouping students in grade ranges to allow for more flexible instruction and collaborative teaching
Photo of group of students seated at table in discussion

Lindsay High School

Learner Choice of Mastery Level

Flexibility to meet minimum thresholds or aim for higher mastery to improve time management and ownership
Shot of binders showing Spanish language text

Bilingual Binders

Giving students options on what language to use when monitoring progress
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KJ Virtual Academy

KJ Virtual Academy's Approach to Teacher & Student Capacity with Technology

How one virtual school used technology to engage students and help educators manage workloads
Students sit in row at computers, looking at screens

Cisco Junior High School

Providing Pacing Guidance with "Must Do" and "May Do" Tasks

Playlists contain components that students must do to show mastery, as well as additional options that extend learning
Photo of two students working together on laptops and in conversation

Pleasant View Elementary School

Student Choice of Work Partners

Students can choose to partner with other students to improve their learning experience
Photo closeup of student reading on her tablet device

CICS West Belden

Personalized Learning Plan

Linking objectives in skill-based units to offer unique pathway to mastery
Student standing at white board with tablet in hand, looking back and speaking toward classroom

Lovett Elementary School

Student-led Conferences

Empowering students to advocate for their learning during teacher conferences
Student placing colorful blocks into black tray

Locust Grove Middle School

Makerspaces

Large classrooms with resources to support students’ project-based learning
Teacher looks on as students complete work at desk

Valor Collegiate Academies

Additional Math Instructional Time through a Content Focus Class

Creating an extra semester’s worth of time to provide targeted math instruction
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Cedar Rapids Community School District

Muted Share-Aloud

Providing flexibility for camera use during synchronous lessons
Teacher holds pen and speaks to class as students listen

Valor Collegiate Academies

Content Review with Mini Lessons

Creating short, structured lessons to fill knowledge gaps
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Cabarrus County Schools

Cabarrus Virtual Academy's Approach to Active Engagement in Virtual Learning

How a virtual academy integrated active engagement into their program
Photo of students working independently at classroom table

Pleasant View Elementary School

Structures for Supporting Self-Directed Learning

Meeting a variety of students’ needs through norms and extra supports
Photo of two student partners working together on laptops

ReNEW DTA Academy

Partnering Choice

Allowing students to choose how they work best to increase productivity
Photo of poster reading Respect is not a Gift, You have to earn it

ReNEW DTA Academy

Emphasis on Life Skill Development

Teaching and practicing skills that go beyond 8th grade math
Teacher leans down by one student, looking down at desk

Bronx Arena High School

Student Pacing Based on Content Mastery

When students show mastery, they immediately move on to new content or courses
Man writing down at desk, sitting in front of laptop

Uxbridge Public Schools

Multimodal Planning

Engaging students through varied daily activities
Male student sits at laptop while female student looks on from the side

Trailblazer Elementary School

Student Voice and Choice - Common Practices

Providing students with the ability to decide when and how they learn best throughout the day
A small group of students listen to their teacher talking

Pleasant View Elementary School

Multi-Pronged Student Support Structure

Providing structure and multiple options to support struggling students
Photo of teacher standing and talking with student seated in front of his laptop

Lindsay High School

Supports for Pacing

Multiple opportunities to help Learners stay on-pace
Photo of student working on her laptop and writing by hand

LPS Richmond

Assessment Initiated by Student

Students request assessments to demonstrate mastery and set pace of course
Photo of Road to Success chart with student and teacher hands implying explanation

CICS West Belden

Student-Led Progress Tracking

Assessment initiated by student to increase ownership
Girl writes on paper, sitting near computer

Pleasant View Elementary School

Authentic Projects

Assessment of mastery through projects in addition to skill-based learning
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Norwood Public Schools

Amtrak Learning Cars

Offering students a variety of work environments to mimic in-class learning
Two high school students standing, smiling at camera

Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

Student-Led Equity Task Force

Creating opportunities for students to design and lead district-wide equity and inclusion work
Teacher stands in front of white board inside classroom while students in seats look on

Lovett Elementary School

Weekly Learning Cycles

Introducing topics through whole group instruction, then guided release toward independent learning
Photo closeup of student work demonstrating mastery

ReNEW DTA Academy

Mastery Videos

Students creating videos to demonstrate their knowledge of a standard
Photo of teacher instructing seated groups of students

Pleasant View Elementary School

Focus on Building Cognitive Skills

Equal emphasis on cognitive skills in addition to academic concepts to support student learning and growth
image of Mastery-Based-Math-Learning-Through-22Cafes22.png

Liberty Public Schools

Mastery-Based Math Learning Through “Cafés”

Competency-based learning model where students engage in self-directed learning
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School District of Cudahy

High-Frequency Communications with Staff

Take a proactive approach and establish multiple communication channels
Photo of student working on paper and looking at laptop screen

Pleasant View Elementary School

Graduated Student Content Choice in Personalized Learning Plans

Providing more choice to students as their skills grow
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Uxbridge Public Schools

Online Agenda

Offering clarity and consistency to ensure everyone is on the same page
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NYC School Without Walls

NYC SWOW's Approach to Student Attendance and Engagement

How a hybrid program encouraged higher attendance and engagement through fieldwork
Young student wears headphones and looks down at tablet he is holding

Non-Verbal Representation

Using visual and auditory inputs other than written or spoken words
Student stands at white board in front of class

Cisco Junior High School

Student-Led Learning Activities

Creating opportunities for students to learn from each other
Student smiles for photo, standing in front of table with experiment materials

Locust Grove Middle School

Implementing Learner Profiles

Gradually rolling out a tool designed to increase personalized teaching and learning
Student sits inside classroom, looking down at book and reading alone

Implementing a Flex Time Period

Creating flexible learning time for students to focus on high-value instruction
Student smiles as she looks at laptop

Locust Grove Middle School

Customized Learner Pathways

Creating common pathways for academic progress that can be customized for individual students
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Digital Demonstrations

Gather evidence of student learning from student work shared digitally
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Gather Data Through Gamification

Use engaging and fun platforms to quickly check for understanding
Example of a Flex Friday menu with ideas listed in different colors

Lovett Elementary School

Lovett's Flex Fridays

Addressing student learning needs outside core content areas
Photo of classroom with students reading on beanbags and working on devices at desks

Roots Elementary

Rotation Time Allocation

Using research and judgment to determine developmentally-appropriate time on task for students
Poster of student career-based project

Locust Grove Middle School

Students Pursue Career-Based Projects

Students select “Houses” of interest and complete long-term projects related to possible careers
Two students raise their hands while sitting in classroom

Locust Grove Middle School

Depth of Knowledge Levels

Clarifying rigor by identifying four different levels of content mastery
image of 3-before-me.png

Wheatley Education Campus

3 Before Me

Utilizing peer support to build culture and agency
Teacher holds up clipboard, showing it to students at table as they look on carefully

Cisco Junior High School

Prompting Deeper Thinking through Open Questions

Transforming questioning from a style that solicits simple answers to one that challenges students to think deeper
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Dallas Independent School District

Building Self-Paced Student Learning with Google Slides

Creating self-paced student lessons with Google Slides for remote learning
Photo closeup of laptop screen showing mastery data dashboard

LPS Richmond

Cumulative Quizzes

Assessing prior learning objectives to check for and emphasize retention
Photo of group of students working together at a table with arrows indicated swivel desk and cushion chair

CICS West Belden

Student Input in Classroom Layout

Engaging students in physical design choices to increase ownership and engagement
Photo of high-school classroom

LPS Richmond

Common Launch

Opening class with shared problem solving to create a culture focused on growth
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Leveraging Data to Advocate for More Creative Learning Experiences

Using data to understand and create more creative learning experiences for students
Student types on laptop while wearing headphones

Trailblazer Elementary School

Integrating Online Programs to Differentiate Learning

Personalizing content by student need, with bounded student choice
Teacher leans over desk, writing on paper, with students nearby

Know-Wonder-Learn (KWL) Chart

Building in opportunities and connection
Photo of student working on laptop with teacher and other students in background

ReNEW DTA Academy

Students Choose Learning Objectives

Providing students choice in what they learn to increase engagement
Student smiles as she types on laptop

Valor Collegiate Academies

Self-Directed Summer Math Piloting

Providing students with review content over the summer to prepare for algebra
Teacher speaks to students while they touch and observe a 3-D city map

Trailblazer Elementary School

Genius Hour

Self-paced passion projects that students pursue through inquiry-based learning
Photo of teacher standing at table speaking with group of seated students

Lindsay High School

Reading Interventions

Using real-time data to address Learners’ reading needs
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Cambridge Public Schools

Asynchronous Learning Modules for Educators

Offering professional development and training that educators can complete at their own pace
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Meriden Public Schools

Career Academy Vocational School Partnership

Offering high school students vocational training
Girl wearing glasses looks off to the side, in a thinking pose, holding a pencil to a paper on a desk

Example: Retrieval Practice - Power Tools for Instruction (IgnitED Research)

This video shares evidence from the learning sciences and a practitioner perspective around retrieval practice.
Photo of student viewing her binder with laptop in front

Lindsay High School

Learner Choice as to How To Demonstrate Higher-Level Mastery

Learners choose how they want to demonstrate mastery knowledge to increase engagement
Student speaks in front of class

Bronx Arena High School

Graduated Student Autonomy

Consistent learning structures that shift from teacher-led to student-led as students gain ownership of their learning
Photo of seated student working with her notebook and on her laptop

LPS Richmond

Student Choice Over Path, Place, and Modalities

Students choose assignments and learning resources to create a more personalized learning experience
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Chicago Public Schools

Schoolwide Student Identity Day

Celebrating student identities with schoolwide celebration
Person typing at laptop with pencil in hand, while wearing headphones

Take Advantage of Lost Learning Time

Use technology to leverage virtual learning days and take advantage of lost learning time
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Norwood Public Schools

Break Timers

Embedding breaks with suggested activities into your daily schedule