There are hundreds ways to ensure your classroom runs smoothly, from setting rules to building relationships with students. If you are new to teaching or need to make a difference in your classroom, where do you begin?
Robert Marzano is a name you will likely hear in your studies. Marzano, a leading educational researcher who co-authored more than 40 books and 150 articles and was a pioneer in teaching effectiveness, is a model that many teachers refer to when they practice. His Marzano Research website provides teachers and administrators with tools and strategies to improve the effectiveness of teachers. He also developed an evaluation tool that measures the effectiveness of highly-effective teachers.
Here’s a summary of his teachings, and how to apply his strategies.
Marzano’s strategy ensures success
His research shows that effective, competent teachers are highly valued.
- Set goals.
- Provide feedback.
- Students can learn from each other.
- Students can participate in simulations or low-stakes competition.
- Engage students by allowing them to talk about themselves, and noticing when they’re not.
- Establish and enforce classroom rules.
- Keep in touch with your students.
- Communicate high expectations.
Marzano believes teachers who are able to set goals and assess understanding will be more effective. Positive feedback should be given to students in order to encourage them. Teachers should give positive feedback to students who don’t understand certain concepts. He suggests that teachers help students to interact with new information. This can be done by breaking down the material into smaller pieces and then checking for comprehension, using media and making predictions. Students will retain more information if they are involved and take ownership of it.
Simulator and games are included
Marzano’s teacher effectiveness includes simulations and games to stimulate student interest. Marzano believes that students should be active, engage in friendly debate, and relate to the content. The best way to foster learning is to establish rules and procedures in the classroom at the start of the year. And, of course, it’s important that teachers have effective relationships with students.
Marzano teachers are also able to communicate high expectations in this area. Encourage all students to take part in simulations and games. This will ensure that everyone is learning. The more you can relate a lesson to real-world situations the better the lesson will be. He says teachers should be aware of their biases. First, identify students who are low on expectations. Next, look for students who are similar. Next, you should identify students with similar expectations and then make the conscious decision to treat them all the same.
Classroom strategies and classroom behaviors
Classroom strategies and classroom behavior are two of Marzano’s most important areas for teacher improvement. Marzano believes teachers should choose areas for improvement throughout the school year. Administrators should provide opportunities to see how other teachers are doing it. Administrators can then give feedback to teachers and have a dialogue with them about ways they can be more successful.
Marzano also includes several instructional strategies, including:
- Identify similarities and differences.
- Summarizing and taking notes.
- Recognizing and reaffirming efforts.
- Practice and homework.
- Other non-linguistic representations
- Collaboration in learning.
- Set objectives and provide feedback.
- Testing hypotheses and creating new ones.
- Questions, cues and advance organizers.
Marzano teaching strategies can be used by both teachers and administrators, it is obvious. All of us share the same goal: to give our students the tools and support they need in school and beyond.
Are you looking for more strategies to use in your classroom? You might also be interested in other strategies to improve your classroom’s effectiveness as a Marzano teacher.