5 key strategies for student success every teacher needs (And how to implement them)

Sponsored content from Haldor Homework

In education, there are some vital ingredients for student success – from adapting lessons to getting parents involved. Let’s explore five key strategies that teachers can use to make learning engaging and consider how they can be used in the classroom.

1. Differentiated instruction

It’s vital to tailor teaching methods, content, and assessments to match students’ diverse learning styles, abilities, and interests. This helps ensure that each student is appropriately challenged and supported in their learning journey.

How to implement it: Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to assignments, offer a “menu” of tasks that students can choose from. Each task should aim to teach the same skill or concept but appeal to different interests or learning styles. For instance, some students might prefer writing an essay, while others might opt for creating a video presentation.

2. Formative assessment

Formative assessments are about regularly checking in on students’ understanding and progress during instruction, not just at the end of a unit. This provides immediate feedback to both teachers and students, allowing adjustments to teaching strategies and helping students to stay on track.

How to implement it: Incorporate “exit tickets” at the end of your lessons. These can be quick questions on slips of paper or even a digital form like Kahoot, to gauge understanding on-the-fly. If a large number of students seem confused, you’ll know it’s time to revisit some key points.

3. Active learning and hands-on activities

Active learning engages students in interactive activities, projects, and discussions that encourage them to participate in the learning process actively. This approach fosters a deeper understanding and application of concepts.

How to implement it: Instead of a lecture-style lesson, try a “flipped classroom” approach. Assign readings or short video lessons for homework, freeing up classroom time for interactive discussions, group projects, or problem-solving activities. This enables you to focus on application and analysis rather than just information delivery.

4. Effective classroom management

Creating a structured yet positive classroom environment is crucial. Involve students in decision-making processes, such as classroom rules or activity choices. This gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility for the classroom environment. Clear expectations and routines help students feel safe and motivated to engage in their learning.

How to implement it: At the start of the school year, involve your students in setting classroom rules and guidelines. Maybe even let them vote on some of the non-negotiables, so they feel like they have a stake in how the classroom is run. To keep everyone on track, establish a visual or digital “Responsibility Chart” where students can see how they’re doing in terms of following rules, participating, and showing respect. Regularly update this and celebrate successes, however small, to motivate your students and foster a sense of community.

5. Parental Engagement

When parents and teachers collaborate, great things can happen! Students benefit greatly from a consistent and supportive learning environment both at home and at school. This collaboration can positively influence students’ attitudes towards learning, their motivation, and overall academic success.

How to implement it: Keep parents in the loop by providing the resources they need. A tool like Haldor Homework gives parents easy access to assignments and feedback, helping them better align their support with what is being taught in the classroom. It opens the door for more meaningful discussions with their child about homework and performance in specific subjects.

Bridging the gap for parents

Haldor offers a suite of modules that adds more educational features to Microsoft Teams and creates an engaging and seamless environment for teaching and learning.

At the moment, Microsoft Teams lacks a feature that allows parents to log in and view their child’s homework and progress. That’s where Haldor Homework steps in to bridge the gap.

The parent app integrates with the Microsoft Teams assignment tool, providing parents easy access to assignments, assessments, and teacher feedback. Parents can more easily provide targeted support and guidance at home, without any additional work for teachers.

To find out more about Haldor, please visit Haldor Homework’s EdTech Impact profile page.