Teaching Strategies Glossary

A glossary of teaching strategies can help almost everyone involved in education. Experienced teachers need to learn about new techniques when renewing their certificates. Conversely, new teachers may want to have a reference for older theories that have worked well for others. In addition, parents interested in how their child learns may want to learn more about the teaching strategies being used in their child's classroom.

Teaching Strategies Glossaries and Explanations

A good teaching strategy glossary will not only provide the definition for a particular technique, it will include the reasoning behind the strategy and possible examples of it in classroom use. To learn more about teaching strategies, use the following online glossaries:

• Journey to Excellence Learning Theories and Teaching Strategies: Ten categories of strategies are provided in this education glossary. A short definition and rationale is available for each term. Once you select the term you need, you are directed to a listing of additional information and resources that includes lesson samples, general information, and websites. This website is an excellent resource for those wanting to implement new ideas in the classroom.
• Glossary of Instructional Strategies: Search by letter to find the idea for which you need more definition. For example, "BrainWriting" is given a short definition. A link provided takes you to another website with additional information on its practice and implementation. This is a large glossary that is a great quick reference guide for both teachers and parents alike.
• Visual Knowledge Project Working Concepts Glossary: On the right side of the screen, click on the teaching strategy that interests you. One or more sources will appear with a definition regarding that term. "Problem-Based Learning" results in four definitions. Only 16 terms are defined, making this a good secondary resource.
• Teaching Methods/Strategies: This is an HTML version of a teaching strategy document created by a group of teachers. Simply scroll to find the term you need and a short definition.
• Literacy Strategies - Glossary through the Kentucky Department of Education: Scroll through this document to find a number of strategies related to teaching reading. Some terms, such as "Inquiry Charts" include helpful Word/PDF documents that show how the strategy is used within the classroom.
• ReadingQuest Strategies for Reading Comprehension: Search out the term you need defined. One sentence below the word gives a short explanation, but links are provided for further information. For example, "Question-Answer Relationships" has downloads, an example, and further explanation of the strategy.

Glossaries for Instructional Challenges

Students today present a number of instructional challenges to their teachers. Certain children have academic needs that can be met by using strategies that are geared towards their circumstances. Having a glossary on hand can help a regular classroom teacher integrate these children into her classroom or provide parents with explanation of what the school is doing to help meet their own child's unique needs.

Here are a few examples of glossaries that provide definitions of strategies used by teachers in special circumstances:

• Glossary of Teaching Strategies: This glossary was compiled by general education, special education, and English as a Second Language teachers. It contains a comprehensive look at how to teach towards everyone in these circumstances. Scroll through the alphabetical glossary to get a short but informative explanation.
• Glossary of Gifted Education: Search alphabetically for the term you need that relates to a gifted child's educational needs. Links within term definitions help further explain the concepts. Certain terms, such as "characteristics of the gifted" are even bulleted to provide complete information.
• Parentpals.com Special Education Dictionary: Scroll through this dictionary to find terms related to special needs children within the classroom setting. A number of motor skills terms are included for those who work with physically handicapped children.

Teaching strategy glossaries can provide useful information for teachers and parents alike. The unique learning abilities of children today require a comprehensive take on instruction and parental involvement.

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