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This section explores concrete, field-tested strategies in four key practice areas: targeted and relevant, actively engaging, socially connected, and growth oriented. Educators can use these strategies 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.

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

Socially Connected

In socially connected learning, students are encouraged and able to make meaningful, supportive connections with teachers, experts, peers, and the content of their learning to persist, deepen commitment, and co-create together. Explore practical strategies that:

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  • Sub-topics
    • Peer learning and collaboration
    • Relationship and trust building
    • Family engagement and involvement
    • Community and civic connection
  • 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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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
Student speaks with teacher, smiling

Locust Grove Middle School

Teacher-Student Conferences

Individualized conferencing for students to discuss appropriate academic progress and supports
image of Building-a-Partnership-with-Local-Community-College-To-Increase-Access-to-Learning-Opportunities.png

Meriden Public Schools

Building a Partnership with Local Community College To Increase Access to Learning Opportunities

Exchanging classroom space for college courses
Photo of teacher working with a group of students at table in classroom

Roots Elementary

6-8 Week Learning Groups

Periodic benchmark assessments to determine student progress and adjust student learning paths
Two students wearing bookbags and face masks bump elbows in greeting

Setting Expectations Through Surveys

Enabling "recalibration of re-entry" as remote learners enter in-person learning in the fall
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
Smiling teacher holding a tablet in a computer lab, students working at desktops behind her.

Valley New School

Teaching Students AI Ethics Through Workshops

Empowering Students to Navigate AI’s Ethical Complexities
image of Family-STEAM-Nights.png

Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

Family STEAM Nights

Schools send home materials for parents/guardians and students to engage in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math activities with teachers over Zoom
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
Student placing colorful blocks into black tray

Locust Grove Middle School

Makerspaces

Large classrooms with resources to support students’ project-based learning
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
Photo of multiple groups of students seated around tables in a classroom

LPS Richmond

Class Competitions

Unit and daily goal-completion competitions to engage and motivate students
Students working at desks and on laptops scattered throughout a classroom

Pleasant View Elementary School

Flexible Working Groups

Create targeted small groups to differentiate instruction
Photo of small group of students seated and working together

Roots Elementary

Daily, Weekly, and Long-Term Student Groupings

Employing multiple grouping approaches to meet immediate needs as well as provide stable working teams
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 and student working on a worksheet side by side at table with laptops directly in front of them

LPS Richmond

Weekly Formal One-on-One Teacher Support

Planned weekly meetings to review goals and progress, and provide support
image of Career-Academy-Vocational-School-Partnership.png

Meriden Public Schools

Career Academy Vocational School Partnership

Offering high school students vocational training
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Digital Demonstrations

Gather evidence of student learning from student work shared digitally
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
image of Teach-back-Tuesdays.png

Dallas Independent School District

Teach-Back Tuesdays

Student-led teaching of a concept or skill
Student exercises on yoga mat outside in front of laptop

Fitness Friday

Weekly class time dedicated to movement and fun
Photo of poster of Lifelong Learning Standards including Live, Love, Learn

Lindsay High School

Lifelong Learning Standards

Integrating non-cognitive standards into instruction to help Learners thrive as people
image of Learning-Maps-in-action.png

Konini Primary School

Infinity Learning Maps

A practical learning-how-to-learn tool for teachers to use with students and families
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Intrinsic Schools

Accountable Talk Stems

Providing students a structure to engage in discussions
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
Two students stand close together, one with arm draped over the other's arm, holding Valor school sign

Valor Collegiate Academies

Shared Commitments of the School Community

Creating common expectations for what it means to be a Valor student through “The Valor Commitments”
Two elementary school students work together on a project at a table

Example: Mix It Up! The Benefits of Mixed-Ability Groups (IgnitED Research)

This video shares evidence from the learning sciences and a practitioner perspective about the benefits of mixed-ability student groups
Photo closeup of laptop screen showing mastery data

ReNEW DTA Academy

Sharing Mastery Data Transparently Across the Class

Allowing students to see each other’s scores to better enable student support and growth
A woman and a girl sitting at a table with a laptop

Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School

Gathering Family Feedback on Edtech Usage

Strengthening the home-school connection through awareness, accessibility, and technical training around edtech tools
Photo of teacher standing in front of class teaching to group of seated students

Roots Elementary

Scheduled Ongoing Large Group Instruction

Large group instruction frequently used to meet common needs and instruct efficiently
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
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
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 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
Two students look together at laptop, one wears a green lanyard

Alpha Public Schools

Green Lanyards

Giving students leadership roles to build culture and collaboration
image of Building-Consistency-in-Family-Engagement-Through-Common-Process-and-Tools.png

Cedar Rapids Community School District

Building Consistency in Family Engagement Through Common Process and Tools

Quarterly family phone calls to surface needs
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
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Wheatley Education Campus

3 Before Me

Utilizing peer support to build culture and agency
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Defining Clear Roles in Group Work

Supporting each student to be successful and collaborative during small-group time
Teacher speaks with someone, hands folded

Bronx Arena High School

Collaboration between Teachers and Advocate Counselors

Collaborative teaching teams that support the whole student
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Norwood Public Schools

Break Timers

Embedding breaks with suggested activities into your daily schedule
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
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
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
Gray T-shirt that reads "I am the difference at Trailblazer Elementary"

Trailblazer Elementary School

Inclusion Approach to Special Education

Integrating special education teachers into general education classrooms
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Virtual Award System

Reinforcing positive behaviors by offering a choice of reward
Two students sit on couch, reading from tablets

Lovett Elementary School

Accountability Partners

Student meetings with a partner to help them meet learning goals
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Norwood Public Schools

Expectations Ensure Engagement

Outlining clear expectations for small-group work in remote settings
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
Students sit grouped at tables with technology

Valor Collegiate Academies

Multiple Methods of Student Groupings

Mixing a variety of grouping strategies based on students’ needs
Worksheet containing definitions of different levels of mastery

Lindsay High School

Exhibition Nights

Public presentations to demonstrate mastery and develop real-world skills
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
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 teacher aide standing at table and speaking with a group of seated students

LPS Richmond

Tiered Student Supports

Multiple non-teacher support options to increase ownership of student learning
Overhead view of person writing on paper while another looks on

Bronx Arena High School

Coordinating Student Supports with Facilitation Plans

Creating a common document to help track students’ progress and supports in a flexible learning environment
An man and his daughter looking at a tablet computer.

Accessing Student Data as a Family or Community Member for Advocacy

How family or community members can use student data for equitable advocacy
Photo of teacher working with two students on their laptops

LPS Richmond

Flexible Daily Small Group Instruction

Customized groupings to address learning needs and create team experts for specific learning objectives
image of Leveraging-Local-Media-to-Communicate-with-Multilingual-Families.png

Ector Country Independent School District

Leveraging Local Media to Communicate with Multilingual Families

Reaching all families by sending messages through diverse channels
Eight students stand with teacher in front of white board, smiling

Lovett Elementary School

Full Inclusion of Students with Learning Disabilities

Providing special education resources to students with additional need in general education classrooms
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
Photo closeup of student work demonstrating mastery

ReNEW DTA Academy

Mastery Videos

Students creating videos to demonstrate their knowledge of a standard
Icons on a tablet screen showing thumbs up, a heart, and a celebration popper

Non-Verbal Engagement

Leveraging non-verbal cues during synchronous video lessons
Photo of high-school classroom

LPS Richmond

Common Launch

Opening class with shared problem solving to create a culture focused on growth
image of Offering-College-Credit-Bearing-Opportunities.png

Meriden Public Schools

Offering College-Credit Bearing Opportunities

Partnering with universities to provide college credit courses in high school
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 teacher seated at front of class with group of students seated in front and copying teacher patting head

Roots Elementary

Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Groups

Differentiated groups to enhance different learning experiences
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
image of Working-with-Industry-Partners-to-Design-Real-World-AI-Enhanced-Projects.png

Ulster BOCES

Working with Industry Partners to Design Real-World, AI-Enhanced Projects

Enhancing Work-Based Challenges With AI-Driven Research and Prototyping
image of Schoolwide-Student-Identity-Day.png

Chicago Public Schools

Schoolwide Student Identity Day

Celebrating student identities with schoolwide celebration
A man sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper

The Forest School

Family Feedback

Collecting opinions and suggestions from families to improve students’ learning experiences
image of MutedShareAloud_strat.png

Cedar Rapids Community School District

Muted Share-Aloud

Providing flexibility for camera use during synchronous lessons
image of Re-Thinking-Spaces-and-Opportunities-for-Learning-Especially-the-Arts.png

Meriden Public Schools

Rethinking Spaces and Opportunities for Learning, Especially the Arts

Creatively using community spaces for safe, outdoor learning
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
image of RemoteJobs_strat.png

Cedar Rapids Community School District

Remote Classroom Jobs

Creating classroom jobs for students in remote learning environments
Elementary students stand in line, leaning on each other

Trailblazer Elementary School

Trailblazer's Cross Grade-Level Teams

Working in teams across multiple grade levels to create more flexibility
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 speaking to large class of students

ReNEW DTA Academy

Teacher-Led Large Group Instruction

Teaching to large heterogeneous groups to maximize efficiency
This is a photo of students working together to provide support to each other.

Remote Buddy Projects

Grouping in-person and remote students together for projects
image of AmtrakCars-strat.png

Norwood Public Schools

Amtrak Learning Cars

Offering students a variety of work environments to mimic in-class learning
image of Taking-High-School-Drama-Performance-Online.png

School District of Cudahy

Taking High School Drama Performance Online

Bringing a drama production to life safely during a pandemic
Photo of teacher working with small group of students around a table

LPS Richmond

Heterogeneous Teams

Teacher-assigned student teams to support a variety of skill levels
Photo of student explaining tablet presentation

CICS West Belden

Student Interest Surveys

Surveying to understand interests and inform Learner Profiles
Woman smiles, presenting at front of room with marker in hand

Communicate the Plan

Ensuring all students know what to do, when to do it, and how
image of Parent-Square-for-Two-way-Communication.png

Meriden Public Schools

ParentSquare for Two-Way Communication

A tool for two-way parent/guardian and school communication
image of RemPathways_strat2.png

Remote Pathways

Virtual, small groups for a personalized experience and support
A little girl sitting at a table with a laptop, raising her hand

Quick Hands

Utilizing the hand-raising feature to ensure equitable participation
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
Photo of creative classroom with flexible groups of students

CICS West Belden

Flexible Grouping

Combining students to differentiate instruction