New research shows play-based learning can be more effective than direct instruction at improving outcomes for early learners—particularly in the development of mathematical and spatial skills.

Make the start of the new school year go smoothly by preparing for students’ questions and anxieties before the first day of class.

To become better readers, Natalie Wexler says, students should grapple with abundant, high-caliber texts in the elementary grades—not just skills and strategies.

By communicating schoolwide expectations, supporting teacher decisions, and protecting instructional time, administrators can help avoid teacher burnout.

Simple, in-class activities—drawn from recent research—that you can use to cement hard-won student insights.

Tune up your math teaching with this review of strategies to avoid, plus alternatives that will challenge, engage, and enlighten your students.

With data gathered from early assessments, teachers can work together to improve lessons to better meet the needs of all students.

Teachers often give high school students feedback to guide their learning—soliciting feedback about the class from them helps deepen the teacher-student rapport.

This assessment strategy pairs content-based standards with the development of skills that equip students for success in the future.

Teachers can help young students learn how to focus during class meetings by taking a multisensory approach that addresses their developmental needs.

Early childhood educators can use differentiation to help young students who may be gifted to thrive academically.

Middle school teachers can create avenues for students to engage with meaningful texts that encourage their literacy skill development.

Implementing self-paced learning helped an eighth-grade algebra teacher scaffold and differentiate instruction, creating a student-centered class.

Instructional coaches can facilitate effective instruction by giving teachers specific, actionable praise.

Changing your staff’s instructional practices is never easy, but gathering teacher input and buy-in can make for a smoother transition.

A mentor can be a huge benefit for a new teacher, and these ideas will help you take full advantage of working with an experienced colleague.

Teachers can tweak popular strategies to assess students’ prior knowledge in order to encourage critical thinking at the same time.