Lisa Sietstra

Marzanos Instructional Strategies

Cooperative Learning: This strategy encourages students to work together in groups; emphasizing
cooperation instead of competition to complete assignments and projects. Cooperative learning groups
should have the following basics: positive interdependence (group members are in it together); face-to-
face promotive interaction (helping each other in learning process, encouraging); individual and group
accountability (each member has a role or duty they must complete to be successful); interpersonal and
small group skills (communication, trust, leadership, decision making, & conflict resolution); group
processing (reflect on group functionality and how to work better together).
Advanced Organizers: The use of advanced organizers can help set the stage for future lessons, as
they help students learn vocabulary and new ideas. These are a way to connect what students already
know to what they will be learning. K-W-L charts are a prime example of graphic organizers that identify
what students know about a topic, what they want to learn, and finally, what they learned.
Similarities and Differences: This instructional strategy helps students see patterns and make
connections in subjects through several activities. A Venn diagram is a great example of a tool students
can use to explore similarities and differences on a given topic.
Cues and Questions: This strategy is also a way for educators to set the stage for learning new ideas.
Teachers should ask questions when introducing new topics, not just the end of lessons. It is also
important to ask higher-level questions that require students to analyze the subject, not just repeat
simple information. Teachers should use Blooms Taxonomy and verbs associated with each level to
formulate questions they will pose.
Nonlinguistic Representations/Graphic Organizers: Students learn new things using visual imagery,
auditory experiences and/or kinesthetic experiences. Teachers should present lessons and information
in more than one format to increase information retention. The use of graphic organizers, creating
physical models, drawing pictures and kinesthetic activity are all examples of nonlinguistic
representations.
Homework and Practice: This strategy will increase student learning and deepen understanding of
new topics. Homework and practice will also help students prepare for future lessons and increase skills
and memorization of facts. It is important for teachers to assign appropriate amounts of homework
you are not the only class! It is also important to clearly convey the purpose of the assignments to
students.