Evidence-based teaching approaches for your classroom Page ContentTeaching approaches or strategies used by Victorian schools or education experts that can add value to your teaching practice. Try one in your school today. On this page Innovative classroom approaches from your peers Strategies to work better as a team Hear from education expertsThe Victorian Teaching and Learning Model in action Making the most of assessment Building better student engagement Innovative classroom approaches from your peers Examples of best practice in education from other Victorian schools. Thank you and stay safe these school holidaysTeachers have been at the frontline of our schools and communities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic Staying healthy, safe and well while working from homeTips and resources to help you find the right routine and balance that works for youTop tips for effective online learningThe teachers at Virtual School Victoria have compiled their top insights into how teachers can best engage learning from home studentsEmpowering students to learn from homeThere’s a range of programs and support available to you if and when schools transition to learning from homeHelp develop mental health support and resources for primary schoolsAll primary school staff are invited to share their experience and insights in this 20-minute surveyGetting off to a good start with your new classA Cheltenham teacher shares his welcome to a new class that sets the agenda for the year ahead.Leading school improvement opportunitiesLeadership Partner Brooke Burnett has supported schools to make positive change as part of the Differentiated Support for School Improvement (DSSI) program. Similar roles are currently advertisedTransforming literacy and numeracy in the Middle YearsBraybrook College was one of the first schools to deliver targeted support under the Middle Years Literacy and Numeracy Support (MYLNS) initiative, ensuring students have the skills they need for work and lifeMaking cultural inclusion a priorityMoolap Primary School shows how whole-school approaches to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural inclusion leads to a positive climate for learning for all students.Using data to drive differentiated teacher practiceDiggers Rest Primary School has expanded five times over in the last five years, but still keeps a commitment to meeting the classroom needs of students at an individual level.Taking time to be my best teacherHawkesdale P-12 College Teacher Florence Roney looks back on the first two years of teaching, sharing her experiences and challenges as she returns to a new school year. Set your school up for successAssistant Principal Carly Pluck shares how Canterbury Primary School works with both staff and students to make sure everyone is empowered to do their best and take control over what they want to learn and achieve.'Big ideas' in number and authentic numeracy tasksDerrimut Primary School's focus on Professor Dianne Siemon's 'big ideas' in Number has helped them target individual learners and create engaging, practical lessons. Using language skills to teach mathsDerrimut Primary School classroom teacher Sally Burke explores the Number Talks approach to incorporating expressive and receptive language skills into her mathematics class.Kung Fu kids laying literacy foundationsAs part of literacy development program, Mitcham Primary School has introduced an unusual but effective way to teach their younger students about punctuation – Kung Fu Punctuation. Strategies to work better as a team Examples of strategies you can employ in your school to develop stronger teams and whole-school approaches. Transforming the First Years of the Teaching CareerA new approach to supporting graduate teachersWhat it means to establish a community of practice (CoP)Inga Wilson, principal at Sunbury West Primary School, collaborated with a number of primary and secondary principals in her network to establish a CoP dedicated to improving numeracy outcomes.Creating a school culture where teachers purposefully collaborateVictoria University Secondary College Principal, Elaine Hazim, explains how their Professional Learning Community supports staff to develop skills that are fundamental to achieving excellence.A simple framework for your PLCProfessional Learning Community (PLC) Regional Manager Shane Lockhart explores ways you can identify and set goals, develop plans and monitor their effect to change the way your school operates and supports studentsMake change and monitor its impact in your professional learning communityHear from Brandon Park Primary School's PLC and how they introduce a change in practice, measure and monitor its effect on student learning.The 6 to 7 transition project: Primary-secondary partnershipsFour schools share their experiences in working collaboratively to create continuous learning for students moving from primary to secondary school.Starting with the data: Student wellbeing during the transition from primary to secondarySchool nurse Courtney Croxford explains how Lilydale Heights College made use of the Student Transition and Resilience Training (START) resource.Teacher tip: Practice principles that support students transition from primary to secondary schoolAs a classroom teacher, you support students during the transition from primary to secondary school by focusing on quality relationships with your students and creating a positive climate for learning.Develop and plan learning assessment in your professional learning community (PLC)At Brandon Park Primary School, teachers use their professional learning community (PLC) time to plan and develop curriculum and pedagogical approaches for differentiated learning. Prioritising and setting goals in PLCsTeachers at Brandon Park Primary School show you how to prioritise student learning needs and develop learning goals with students and for yourself through your professional learning community.Learning together through peer observationAt Verney Road School in Shepparton, Principal Janet Gill Kirkman explains how her school's new peer observation approach is connecting staff, supporting their development and benefiting students. Shaping an environment for shared professional learningAltona P-9 College showcases how changing its attitudes toward professional learning has led to a culture of shared excellence for all teachers and leadersTeacher tip: Supporting effective professional learningEffective professional learning is collaborative, inquiry focused, embedded in teaching practice, guided by student learning need and aligned with priority areas for school improvement and teachers' individual learning needs.FISO explained: Building practice excellenceOver 90 per cent of Victorian schools committed to this high-impact initiative in the FISO Improvement ModelSupporting transition: A positive start to schoolStarting school is a major transition point for children and their families and Flemington Primary School has created a strong model for smoothly moving new students from from Kinder to Prep Hear from education experts Explore the research and applications of education experts from across Victoria and Australia. Making sense of career educationCareer consultant Gray Poehnell shares some insights into the workshops he has been leading with Victorian teachers across the state.Your guide to numeracy from birth to Level 10With the latest research and best practice teaching strategies, the Numeracy Guide is an essential resource for your classroom.What the research says: setting up your classroomWhat effect do different classroom seating arrangements have on student participation? Should teachers or students decide who sits where? Teacher magazine editor Jo Earp takes a look at what the research says.10 tips to build parental engagementEducation expert Mary Jean Gallagher explains why relationships between parents and schools can have a dramatic impact on a student’s educationShifting the maths mindset in Victorian schoolsFor students to meaningfully learn any mathematical skill or acquire any mathematical proficiency, they need to find it important enough and to value it.Data today is instruction tomorrowEducation expert Dr Lyn Sharratt explains how data walls can save teachers time and increase understanding of student achievement.Literacy in schools: you’re not aloneExploring the collaborative work being undertaken by teachers and principals to address many issues in classroom education, Dr Gallagher visited a number of schools including Lilydale and Upper Yarra Primary schools. The Victorian Teaching and Learning Model in action Examples of best practice from Victorian schools using the High Impact Teaching Strategies, Practice Principles for Teaching and learning and the Pedagogical Model. Using the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model at Vermont SecondaryWhen hearing about the school's approach to excellence in numeracy, what stands out more is the school's pride in building a positive climate for learning.Excellence in numeracy through the Victorian Teaching and Learning ModelTeachers can use the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) to establish, enhance or modify their instructional practice to develop a focus on excellence in numeracy.Differentiation to improve engagement and learningTeachers who differentiate effectively call on information that pinpoints what students know now, and what they are ready to learn nextMetacognition in actionRosanna Primary School and Epping Secondary College have been able to empower their students to take control of their own learning.Teacher tip: Use metacognitive strategies to empower your studentsTeachers can implement metacognitive strategies to assist students to become self-regulating learners and to develop a strong sense of agency in their learning.High impact teaching strategies in action: Differentiated teachingPLC Regional Manager Shane Lockhart explains that differentiated teaching can marry perfectly to the FISO improvement cycle and support continuous improvement in students.Use data to inform targeted interventionAt Carlton Gardens Primary School, school leaders and teachers employ a Response to Intervention (RTI) program to apply differentiated teaching approaches to students across a number of areas of the curriculum.HITS: Using metacognitive strategiesLeadership Partner Dean Bush explains how using the High Impact Teaching Strategy – Metacognition can results in almost eight months of additional learning gain.Teacher tip: Enhancing literacy learning with the Pedagogical ModelThe Pedagogical Model places student learning at the centre of planning and implementation.A consistent approach to assessment with the Practice PrinciplesOak Park Primary School reflected on what worked and what needed development to support literacy interventions in the classroom using the nine Practice Principles for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.Developing and delivering effective feedbackEducation expert Narissa Leung explains how teachers can use the High Impact Teaching Strategy of feedback to improve student learning.Teacher tip: Using the practice principles to guide literacy learningPractice Principles for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (the Practice Principles) facilitate effective literacy learning in all areas of the Victorian Curriculum F–10.HITS: Setting Goals and learning from themGoal Setting – one of 10 High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) – is a fundamental technique for teachers to make learning visible and relevant for their students. Making the most of assessment Evidence-based approaches to student assessment and data that can improve your school. Using NAPLAN and assessment data to inform teachingThe start of the year is a good time to consider using student assessment data, such as National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results, to inform 2020 learning plansExplore literacy education in secondary schoolThe Literacy Teaching Toolkit has expanded to include Levels 7 to 10, helping teachers support literacy in all curriculum areasIntroducing the Mathematics Teaching ToolkitThe toolkit is a suite of resources to support teaching and learning from birth to Level 10Westgarth Primary School's assessment overhaulThe school has developed a streamlined approach to assessment across all year levels, a change welcomed by teachers and parents alike.Using moderation to identify and support student learning needsHume Central Secondary College Principal Irene Iliadis prioritises moderation in the first few weeks of term, to quickly identify student needs and differentiate teaching practice.Teacher tip: Use moderation to make consistent decisions about student learning and assessmentPractice moderation for consistent, valid, evidence-based decisions around student learning and assessment.Data walls in action: Using evidence to drive student learningCarlton Gardens Primary School take you step-by-step through their data wall and how it targets different curriculum areas and student needs.Making student achievement visible across the schoolRochester Secondary College Leading Teacher Todd Woodfine explored ways to make data more accessible to teachers and kickstart conversation on student outcomes and teaching practice.Teacher tip: Using data walls to turn data into instructionData walls are a practical and powerful way to gather data and transform it into actionable classroom strategies. Building better student engagement Advice and examples from Victorian schools on how you can build better student engagement. Developing culturally inclusive education plans for Koorie studentsEnsure your Koorie students are supported with an individual education plan that brings together the student, their families, carers and community relationships.Enhancing Koorie cultural inclusionSupportive and inclusive classrooms help students feel connected to their school and engaged with their learning.Practical, award-winning student voiceAt Clifton Springs Primary School, a partnership between students and teachers has created an award-winning culture that harnesses the power of student voice to create a positive learning culture.Students stand up and say why their voice mattersThree VicSRC students talk to education expert Mary Jean Gallagher about how student voice enhances their experiences at schoolTeacher tip: Amplify literacy with student voiceStudents who are empowered - through voice, agency and leadership - demonstrate deeper engagement and enriched participation in the classroom, school and community. Students take a leading role in learningSt Albans Secondary College’s student learning action team is at the centre of the whole-school conversation around learning outcomes, supporting teachers to reflect on their curriculum and co-create meaningful lessons In this section: In Our ClassroomsEvidence-based teaching approaches for your classroomResources to support your classroomProfessional learning opportunities for teachersCelebrating the professionSupporting your role as a learning specialistSupporting your role as a numeracy leaderSupporting your role as a literacy leader Our website uses a free tool to translate into other languages. This tool is a guide and may not be accurate. For more, see: Information in your language
Thank you and stay safe these school holidaysTeachers have been at the frontline of our schools and communities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Staying healthy, safe and well while working from homeTips and resources to help you find the right routine and balance that works for you
Top tips for effective online learningThe teachers at Virtual School Victoria have compiled their top insights into how teachers can best engage learning from home students
Empowering students to learn from homeThere’s a range of programs and support available to you if and when schools transition to learning from home
Help develop mental health support and resources for primary schoolsAll primary school staff are invited to share their experience and insights in this 20-minute survey
Getting off to a good start with your new classA Cheltenham teacher shares his welcome to a new class that sets the agenda for the year ahead.
Leading school improvement opportunitiesLeadership Partner Brooke Burnett has supported schools to make positive change as part of the Differentiated Support for School Improvement (DSSI) program. Similar roles are currently advertised
Transforming literacy and numeracy in the Middle YearsBraybrook College was one of the first schools to deliver targeted support under the Middle Years Literacy and Numeracy Support (MYLNS) initiative, ensuring students have the skills they need for work and life
Making cultural inclusion a priorityMoolap Primary School shows how whole-school approaches to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural inclusion leads to a positive climate for learning for all students.
Using data to drive differentiated teacher practiceDiggers Rest Primary School has expanded five times over in the last five years, but still keeps a commitment to meeting the classroom needs of students at an individual level.
Taking time to be my best teacherHawkesdale P-12 College Teacher Florence Roney looks back on the first two years of teaching, sharing her experiences and challenges as she returns to a new school year.
Set your school up for successAssistant Principal Carly Pluck shares how Canterbury Primary School works with both staff and students to make sure everyone is empowered to do their best and take control over what they want to learn and achieve.
'Big ideas' in number and authentic numeracy tasksDerrimut Primary School's focus on Professor Dianne Siemon's 'big ideas' in Number has helped them target individual learners and create engaging, practical lessons.
Using language skills to teach mathsDerrimut Primary School classroom teacher Sally Burke explores the Number Talks approach to incorporating expressive and receptive language skills into her mathematics class.
Kung Fu kids laying literacy foundationsAs part of literacy development program, Mitcham Primary School has introduced an unusual but effective way to teach their younger students about punctuation – Kung Fu Punctuation.
What it means to establish a community of practice (CoP)Inga Wilson, principal at Sunbury West Primary School, collaborated with a number of primary and secondary principals in her network to establish a CoP dedicated to improving numeracy outcomes.
Creating a school culture where teachers purposefully collaborateVictoria University Secondary College Principal, Elaine Hazim, explains how their Professional Learning Community supports staff to develop skills that are fundamental to achieving excellence.
A simple framework for your PLCProfessional Learning Community (PLC) Regional Manager Shane Lockhart explores ways you can identify and set goals, develop plans and monitor their effect to change the way your school operates and supports students
Make change and monitor its impact in your professional learning communityHear from Brandon Park Primary School's PLC and how they introduce a change in practice, measure and monitor its effect on student learning.
The 6 to 7 transition project: Primary-secondary partnershipsFour schools share their experiences in working collaboratively to create continuous learning for students moving from primary to secondary school.
Starting with the data: Student wellbeing during the transition from primary to secondarySchool nurse Courtney Croxford explains how Lilydale Heights College made use of the Student Transition and Resilience Training (START) resource.
Teacher tip: Practice principles that support students transition from primary to secondary schoolAs a classroom teacher, you support students during the transition from primary to secondary school by focusing on quality relationships with your students and creating a positive climate for learning.
Develop and plan learning assessment in your professional learning community (PLC)At Brandon Park Primary School, teachers use their professional learning community (PLC) time to plan and develop curriculum and pedagogical approaches for differentiated learning.
Prioritising and setting goals in PLCsTeachers at Brandon Park Primary School show you how to prioritise student learning needs and develop learning goals with students and for yourself through your professional learning community.
Learning together through peer observationAt Verney Road School in Shepparton, Principal Janet Gill Kirkman explains how her school's new peer observation approach is connecting staff, supporting their development and benefiting students.
Shaping an environment for shared professional learningAltona P-9 College showcases how changing its attitudes toward professional learning has led to a culture of shared excellence for all teachers and leaders
Teacher tip: Supporting effective professional learningEffective professional learning is collaborative, inquiry focused, embedded in teaching practice, guided by student learning need and aligned with priority areas for school improvement and teachers' individual learning needs.
FISO explained: Building practice excellenceOver 90 per cent of Victorian schools committed to this high-impact initiative in the FISO Improvement Model
Supporting transition: A positive start to schoolStarting school is a major transition point for children and their families and Flemington Primary School has created a strong model for smoothly moving new students from from Kinder to Prep
Making sense of career educationCareer consultant Gray Poehnell shares some insights into the workshops he has been leading with Victorian teachers across the state.
Your guide to numeracy from birth to Level 10With the latest research and best practice teaching strategies, the Numeracy Guide is an essential resource for your classroom.
What the research says: setting up your classroomWhat effect do different classroom seating arrangements have on student participation? Should teachers or students decide who sits where? Teacher magazine editor Jo Earp takes a look at what the research says.
10 tips to build parental engagementEducation expert Mary Jean Gallagher explains why relationships between parents and schools can have a dramatic impact on a student’s education
Shifting the maths mindset in Victorian schoolsFor students to meaningfully learn any mathematical skill or acquire any mathematical proficiency, they need to find it important enough and to value it.
Data today is instruction tomorrowEducation expert Dr Lyn Sharratt explains how data walls can save teachers time and increase understanding of student achievement.
Literacy in schools: you’re not aloneExploring the collaborative work being undertaken by teachers and principals to address many issues in classroom education, Dr Gallagher visited a number of schools including Lilydale and Upper Yarra Primary schools.
Using the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model at Vermont SecondaryWhen hearing about the school's approach to excellence in numeracy, what stands out more is the school's pride in building a positive climate for learning.
Excellence in numeracy through the Victorian Teaching and Learning ModelTeachers can use the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) to establish, enhance or modify their instructional practice to develop a focus on excellence in numeracy.
Differentiation to improve engagement and learningTeachers who differentiate effectively call on information that pinpoints what students know now, and what they are ready to learn next
Metacognition in actionRosanna Primary School and Epping Secondary College have been able to empower their students to take control of their own learning.
Teacher tip: Use metacognitive strategies to empower your studentsTeachers can implement metacognitive strategies to assist students to become self-regulating learners and to develop a strong sense of agency in their learning.
High impact teaching strategies in action: Differentiated teachingPLC Regional Manager Shane Lockhart explains that differentiated teaching can marry perfectly to the FISO improvement cycle and support continuous improvement in students.
Use data to inform targeted interventionAt Carlton Gardens Primary School, school leaders and teachers employ a Response to Intervention (RTI) program to apply differentiated teaching approaches to students across a number of areas of the curriculum.
HITS: Using metacognitive strategiesLeadership Partner Dean Bush explains how using the High Impact Teaching Strategy – Metacognition can results in almost eight months of additional learning gain.
Teacher tip: Enhancing literacy learning with the Pedagogical ModelThe Pedagogical Model places student learning at the centre of planning and implementation.
A consistent approach to assessment with the Practice PrinciplesOak Park Primary School reflected on what worked and what needed development to support literacy interventions in the classroom using the nine Practice Principles for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Developing and delivering effective feedbackEducation expert Narissa Leung explains how teachers can use the High Impact Teaching Strategy of feedback to improve student learning.
Teacher tip: Using the practice principles to guide literacy learningPractice Principles for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (the Practice Principles) facilitate effective literacy learning in all areas of the Victorian Curriculum F–10.
HITS: Setting Goals and learning from themGoal Setting – one of 10 High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) – is a fundamental technique for teachers to make learning visible and relevant for their students.
Using NAPLAN and assessment data to inform teachingThe start of the year is a good time to consider using student assessment data, such as National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results, to inform 2020 learning plans
Explore literacy education in secondary schoolThe Literacy Teaching Toolkit has expanded to include Levels 7 to 10, helping teachers support literacy in all curriculum areas
Introducing the Mathematics Teaching ToolkitThe toolkit is a suite of resources to support teaching and learning from birth to Level 10
Westgarth Primary School's assessment overhaulThe school has developed a streamlined approach to assessment across all year levels, a change welcomed by teachers and parents alike.
Using moderation to identify and support student learning needsHume Central Secondary College Principal Irene Iliadis prioritises moderation in the first few weeks of term, to quickly identify student needs and differentiate teaching practice.
Teacher tip: Use moderation to make consistent decisions about student learning and assessmentPractice moderation for consistent, valid, evidence-based decisions around student learning and assessment.
Data walls in action: Using evidence to drive student learningCarlton Gardens Primary School take you step-by-step through their data wall and how it targets different curriculum areas and student needs.
Making student achievement visible across the schoolRochester Secondary College Leading Teacher Todd Woodfine explored ways to make data more accessible to teachers and kickstart conversation on student outcomes and teaching practice.
Teacher tip: Using data walls to turn data into instructionData walls are a practical and powerful way to gather data and transform it into actionable classroom strategies.
Developing culturally inclusive education plans for Koorie studentsEnsure your Koorie students are supported with an individual education plan that brings together the student, their families, carers and community relationships.
Enhancing Koorie cultural inclusionSupportive and inclusive classrooms help students feel connected to their school and engaged with their learning.
Practical, award-winning student voiceAt Clifton Springs Primary School, a partnership between students and teachers has created an award-winning culture that harnesses the power of student voice to create a positive learning culture.
Students stand up and say why their voice mattersThree VicSRC students talk to education expert Mary Jean Gallagher about how student voice enhances their experiences at school
Teacher tip: Amplify literacy with student voiceStudents who are empowered - through voice, agency and leadership - demonstrate deeper engagement and enriched participation in the classroom, school and community.
Students take a leading role in learningSt Albans Secondary College’s student learning action team is at the centre of the whole-school conversation around learning outcomes, supporting teachers to reflect on their curriculum and co-create meaningful lessons