Finding strategies that work for your classroom can seem like an overwhelming task. There are plenty of resources and suggestions online, but how do we know if they work? If you focus on research-based strategies, you will equip yourself with proven strategies that can improve your teaching outcomes. Read more.

Finding strategies that work for your classroom can seem like an overwhelming task. There are plenty of resources and suggestions online, but how do we know if they work? If you focus on research-based strategies, you will equip yourself with proven strategies that can improve your teaching outcomes. Knowing where to find and how to apply research-based strategies reduces decision fatigue. It also improves the quality of instruction without reinventing the wheel.
<h2>Research Credible Sources</h2>
According to <a href="https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/establishing_arguments/research_and_evidence.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the Purdue OWL</a> identifying the source (link), author, and author’s purpose are great ways to discern whether a source may be reliable. Purdue suggests that credible authors cite their sources so that readers can access the research themselves.
Credible sources include<a href="https://g.co/gemini/share/339a262c59ea" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">²</a>:
● Peer-reviewed research, like academic journals
○ The Journal of Education Research
○ American Educational Research Journal (AERJ)
● Professional development opportunities like workshops and conferences
○ EdTech workshops by Google for Education
○ <a href="https://iste.org/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ISTE</a> (International Society for Technology in Education) Conference
● Courses, either online courses or higher education
○ <a href="https://www.coursera.org/learn/teaching" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coursera’s</a> Foundations of Teaching for Learning
○ Master’s programs in Curriculum and Instruction
● Professional associations
○ <a href="https://ncte.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Council of Teachers of English </a>(NCTE)
○ <a href="https://www.nctm.org/?gbraid=0AAAAADNIKkrCLIPnjXhmOcFOqbTJiLKje&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA9bq6BhAKEiwAH6bqoHXfuL_ZoY5hddnTV0zkseWicAmA4W10RlXWG9gTAjn9DE6wR23w9RoCmdoQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Council of Teachers of Mathematics</a> (NCTM)
○ <a href="https://www.nsta.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Science Teaching Association</a> (NSTA)
● Educational organization websites and resources
○ <a href="https://www.edutopia.org/?gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADlSy0ZA-po6MBYBgRqvAy1VydrYH&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA9bq6BhAKEiwAH6bqoFjnCrq6zsZVF6129l3yi9X7sbWMUgtOIU2iKK1aemsnjIyhco50HhoC6c8QAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Edutopia</a> (by the George Lucas Educational Foundation)
○ <a href="https://www.teachthought.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TeachThought</a> (focus on innovative teaching strategies)
○ <a href="https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/teaching-tools/articles.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Scholastic Teachers</a> (lesson plans and classroom ideas)
○ <a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Khan Academy </a>(free online learning resources)
○ <a href="https://www.teachingchannel.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=PST%20S%20_%20Teaching%20Channel%20-%20Brand&amp;utm_term=teaching%20channel&amp;hsa_acc=1570617608&amp;hsa_cam=19828358156&amp;hsa_grp=155517579748&amp;hsa_ad=651354899487&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-328464041974&amp;hsa_kw=teaching%20channel&amp;hsa_mt=e&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADqyJKMgxWqYUyVAEeb-myb3tG9sT&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA9bq6BhAKEiwAH6bqoPkjAKQpMwdrrhv-Uka6kobveKrO1z_jYNf76zPBvzXJ51Cmqsd3VxoCHPcQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teaching Channel </a>(videos and teaching resources)<a href="https://chatgpt.com/share/674f98ea-c3e4-800a-ade6-bf18e5f54512" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">³</a>
 
Identifying research-based strategies provides “a peace of mind” by knowing that the strategies and methods have been tried and have successful results. Areas for research based strategies include strategies that support the learning environment, instructional areas and the teacher’s professional development.
<h2>Efficiency in the Classroom</h2>
A classroom where students are engaged in learning will have lower behavior issues. An <a href="https://www.edutopia.org/article/student-engagement-dimensions/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Edutopia 2024 article</a> notes that the class environment benefits from short high engagement strategies approximately every three to six minutes<a href="https://www.edutopia.org/article/student-engagement-dimensions/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁴</a>. Shifting between direct instruction to collaborating opportunities, or from “I do” to “we do” and back again, encourages the whole classroom engagement by supporting student attention and energy.
In Practice:
● Classroom Management strategies include the use of positive reinforcement strategies <a href="https://www.pbis.org/resource/supporting-and-responding-to-behavior-evidence-based-classroom-strategies-for-teachers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(PBIS)</a> to create a supportive environment with fewer disruptions.&nbsp;
● Establishing consistent routines to support predictability for both teacher and students.&nbsp;
<h2>Planning for Success</h2>
“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” <a href="https://iipccl.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/240-247.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A 2017 study </a>notes that, “Planning is a preparatory stage of instruction, where teachers reflect upon students’ attainment, analyze how students are learning, think about the teaching approach they provide and try to adjust their instruction according to students needs.” Planning resources can help you to work smarter during this process, like lesson planning templates and assessment rubrics, which help streamline assessments.
In Practice:
● Implementing formative assessments like <a href="https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/exit-ticket" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">exit tickets</a> to gather insights without overburdening teachers or students.&nbsp;
● <a href="https://www.ldatschool.ca/planning-teaching-explicit-instruction/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Explicit Instruction</a> to provide step-by-step explanations and examples to guide students through practice, while offering feedback and support.
● Refer to your state standards to address learning objectives, ex. <a href=" https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CA Common Core State Standards</a>
<h2>Lifelong Learning</h2>
Engaging with research keeps teachers current and motivated, helping them feel competent and prepared. It also creates a mindset of growth, making challenges seem like opportunities to apply and refine what they know.
In-Practice: &nbsp;
● Time-blocking methods to maintain focus during planning or grading.&nbsp;
● Building "teacher-care" routines to combat stress can <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/embracing-struggle-a-path-to-growth-and-learning?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">include short mindfulness exercises or exercise breaks</a> that educators can incorporate into classroom routines.
● <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/embracing-reflection-for-growth?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reflection</a> to adapt and change strategies to your students as needed, and as a daily practice.
By leaning into research-based strategies, you can support student engagement, simplify your planning and maintain a life-work balance.&nbsp;
<h3>Citations:</h3>
<ol>
 <li style="margin-left:20px">
 <a href="https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/establishing_arguments/research_and_evidence.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Research and Evidence - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University. (n.d.). </a>
 </li>
 <li style="margin-left:20px">
 <a href="https://g.co/gemini/share/339a262c59ea" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google. (2024). Gemini: Research-based teaching strategies. Google.</a>
 </li>
 <li style="margin-left:20px"><a href="https://chatgpt.com/share/674f98ea-c3e4-800a-ade6-bf18e5f54512" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">OpenAI. (3 December 2024). ChatGPT [AI language model]. </a></li>
 <li style="margin-left:20px">
 <a href="https://www.edutopia.org/article/student-engagement-dimensions/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">McDowell, M. (2024, October 15). Cognitive, emotional, and behavioral engagement strategies that work. Edutopia. </a>
 </li>
 <li style="margin-left:20px"><a href="https://iipccl.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/240-247.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lika, M. (2017). The impact of curricula and lesson planning in the teaching process. Academic Journal of Business, Administration, Law and Social Sciences (pp. 240–242). IIPCCL Publishing, Vienna-Austria. </a></li>
 <li style="margin-left:20px"><a href=" https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">California Department of Education. (n.d.). “Common Core State Standards resources.” California Department of Education. </a></li>
</ol>

Building Resilience: Research-Backed Strategies to Support Educators