building flexibility and choice into your curriculum.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
UDL incorporates both student-centered learning and the “multiple intelligences theory,” which holds that different learners are wired to learn most effectively in different ways (examples of these “intelligences” include visual-spatial, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, linguistic, musical, etc.). In practice, this could mean that some students might be working on a writing project while others would be more engaged if they created a play or a movie. UDL emphasizes the idea of teaching to every student, special needs students included, in the general education classroom, creating community and building knowledge through multiple means.
Teaching Methods: A to Z
In addition to the many philosophical and pedagogical approaches to teaching, classroom educators today employ diverse and sometimes highly creative methods involving specific strategies, prompts and tools that require little explanation. These include:
Appointments with students
Art-based projects
Audio tutorials
Author’s chair
Book reports
Bulletin boards
Brainstorming
Case studies
Chalkboard instruction
Class projects
Classroom discussion
Classroom video diary
Collaborative learning spaces
Creating murals and montages
Current events quizzes
Debates
Designated quiet space
Discussion groups
DIY activities
Dramatization (plays, skits, etc.)
Educational games
Educational podcasts
Essays (Descriptive)
Essays (Expository)
Essays (Narrative)
Essays (Persuasive
Exhibits and displays
Explore different cultures
Field trips
Flash cards
Flexible seating
Gamified learning plans
Genius hour
Group discussion
Guest speakers
Hands-on activities
Individual projects
Interviewing
Journaling
Laboratory experiments
Learning contracts
Learning stations
Lecturing
Literature circles
Making posters
Math games
Mock conventions
Motivational posters
Music from other countries/cultures
Oral reports
Panel discussions
Peer partner learning
Pen pals
Photography
Problem solving activities
Reading aloud
Readers’ theater
Recitation
Reflective discussion
Research projects
Rewards & recognition
Role playing
School newspapers
Science fairs
Scrapbooks
Sister city programs
Spelling bees
Storytelling
Student podcasts
Student portfolios
Student presentations
Student-conceived projects
Supplemental reading assignments
TED talks
Team-building exercises
Term papers
Textbook assignments
Think-tac-toe
Time capsules
Timelines
Use of community or local resources
Video creation
Video lessons
Vocabulary lists
Web quests
Word walls
Workbooks
