Instructional Strategies to Move Learning Forward
Description
Discover over 50 strategies to meet your students where they are and help them succeed.
Every teacher faces a recurring question in the classroom: What strategy will help this student learn right now? With hundreds of potential strategies available, the challenge lies in choosing the right approach at the right time. Instructional Strategies to Move Learning Forward does exactly that, equipping educators with thoughtfully curated instructional strategies designed to advance learning for all students. Grounded in the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) framework, this book empowers you to select and implement purposeful strategies that address your students' specific needs at a specific moment in their learning while ensuring long-term success.
This content-rich guide provides practical tools and insights that emphasize why, when, and how instructional strategies can move learning forward, with:
- Research-informed rationale for why each strategy works and how each supports meaningful learning
- Detailed step-by-step guidance for implementation, ensuring every strategy can be immediately applied in your classroom
- Adaptability across contexts: Strategies designed for use across grades, content areas, and student needs-including multilingual learners and those requiring differentiated support
- Connections for each strategy to the GRR framework for cohesive lesson planning and consistent results
This resource is not about collecting tools; it's about reflection, intentionality, and impact. Whether you're a new teacher seeking strategies to build your toolkit or an experienced educator refining your craft, this book will help you make informed instructional decisions that lead to powerful learning opportunities. Learn how to foster clarity, connection, and critical thinking in your students while building confident and independent learners.
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Persons
Douglas Fisher is professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Previously, Doug was an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. He is a credentialed English teacher and administrator in California. In 2022, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame by the Literacy Research Association. He has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design, as well as books such as The Teacher Clarity Playbook 2/e, Your Introduction to PLC+, The Illustrated Guide to Teacher Credibility, Instructional Strategies that Move Learning Forward: 30 Tools that Support Gradual Release of Responsibility, and Welcome to Teaching!
Nancy Frey is a Professor in Educational Leadership at San Diego State and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. She is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California. She is a member of the International Literacy Association's Literacy Research Panel. Her published titles include 50 Strategies for Activating Your PLC+, The Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning, Welcome to Teaching Multilingual Learners, Teaching Foundational Skills to Adolescent Readers, and RIGOR Unveiled: A Video-Enhanced Flipbook to Promote Teacher Expertise in Relationship Building, Instruction, Goals, Organization, and Relevance.
Dr. Kierstan Barbee is the Assessment for Learning Coordinator in Dallas, Texas. She has been the field of education for 13 years, working in both rural and urban districts, at the school and district levels. During this time, she served as a secondary English Language Arts teacher, an academic instructional coach, curriculum developer, professional development supervisor, and Assessment for Learning coordinator. She has served as an ESOL teacher in Thomazeau, Haiti and worked with Haitian teachers to implement sustainable teaching practices. She currently serves on the board of Roam Wild Adventures, a non-profit that works to connect youth from diverse backgrounds in carefully designed outdoor adventure trips. Kierstan is committed to creating equitable learning experiences for all students and strengthening student ownership of learning so that students can be empowered, agentic learners.
Sarah Ortega is a coordinator for instruction and supports for English Language learners at Health Sciences High & Middle College and served as a classroom educator for 19 years. She was recognized as the 2023 Chula Vista Elementary School District Teacher of the Year and her teaching videos have been featured in professional development training and educator magazines. She is also a professional learning consultant and works with schools and districts to design and implement learning solutions that support the emotional, behavioral, and instructional needs of students.
Content
Section 1: Focused Instruction
Section 2: Guided Instruction
Section 3: Collaborative Learning
Section 4: Independent Learning