Classroom Instruction That Works
Help your students get more interested in learning, make sense of what they’re learning, and develop deep knowledge they can apply to future lessons and life.
Classroom Instruction That Works® is a collection of 14 foundational, universal teaching strategies that research shows have significant positive effects on student learning. When thoughtfully and skillfully used by teachers, these CITW strategies support highly effective Tier 1 instruction for all students.
McREL has developed a wealth of professional learning resources and programs that help educators across all grade levels and subject areas use these strategies to deliver best first instruction for all their students.
Contact The McREL Institute today to talk with our school partnership team about how we can help your teachers, coaches, and instructional leaders learn to use the Classroom Instruction That Works strategies consistently and effectively—while also supporting your school’s existing curriculum, priorities, and goals.
512.919.5313 | info@mcrel.org | Contact form
“Wilson County Schools has experienced remarkable gains in both achievement and growth, and this past year we reached record-setting levels in each. Our partnership with McREL has been instrumental in reaching these outcomes. McREL’s guidance helped us stay focused, be intentional with our supports, and make the necessary adjustments that positioned our schools for success.”
Dr. Jennifer Cothron, Deputy Director of Academics
Wilson County Schools, TN
Professional Learning for Classroom Instruction that Works
Get started today with professional learning resources, workshops, and support from McREL that combine the science of teaching—using proven instructional strategies and techniques—with the science of learning—knowing how students’ brains absorb and process new information and form deep, long-lasting knowledge and skills.
Learn on your own
- Read The New Classroom Instruction That Works on your own or with a group of colleagues.
- Use our free companion study guide to deepen your understanding and application.
Want to purchase multiple items or register groups of staff for your school or district? We offer discounts for volume purchases and bundled items. Contact us for details at info@mcrel.org.
Learn with McREL
- Attend a McREL professional learning workshop, in person or online. See our lineup of events here.
- Have McREL’s instructional experts come to your school, district, or service agency to provide onsite professional learning, coaching, and customized guidance for your teachers, coaches, and instructional leaders.
- Schedule an online conversation for your team of educators with our CITW experts, to talk about your school’s specific contexts, clarify and deepen your knowledge of the strategies, and get more insights on how to maximize your impact on students’ academic interest, motivation, and success.
Contact us at info@mcrel.org to schedule onsite or online support for your school.
Become the in-house expert trainer at your school
- Get trained by McREL and become an authorized facilitator of our CITW professional learning workshops.
- Deliver workshops in your school, your district, or your agency service area, using McREL’s presentations, handouts, and other resources.
Contact us at info@mcrel.org for more information on becoming an authorized CITW facilitator.
“We started our book study on The New Classroom Instruction That Works three years ago and have been embedding these insights on first best instruction across our district, with a hyper focus on clarity of learning targets, procedures and routines, vocabulary instruction, and formative assessments. This year, DVUSD reached its highest number of A-rated schools in our history for the second year in a row.“
Dr. Paula Desmarteau, Director of Organizational Improvement & Professional Learning
Deer Valley Unified School District, AZ
Free Reader’s Guide
Improving instruction for better student learning requires a thoughtful blending of the science of teaching—using proven instructional strategies and techniques—with the science of learning—knowing how students absorb and process new information and form long-lasting, applicable memory and knowledge.
Download this free study guide to reflect on your professional practice as you read The New Classroom Instruction That Works. Use the guide on your own or with colleagues in a book study to enrich your thinking and conversations about instructional planning and classroom delivery.
Books & Resources
“Having highly effective instructional tools in the hands of our educators has paved a pathway for collaborative and engaging instruction in each classroom. Our educators wouldn’t have had exposure to these effective instructional tools if it were not for this incredible training opportunity.”
Anthonya Kahrs, Director of Instruction, Accountability, and Learning
Northeast Colorado BOCES
“This book is good! Schools often have great intervention systems, but don’t address Tier 1. Here is the science of impactful instruction.”
Rob Meyer, Director of Teaching and Learning
Beaver Dam USD, WI
The New Classroom Instruction That Works
Founded on a rigorous meta-analysis of research, The New Classroom Instruction That Works offers a streamlined focus on 14 instructional strategies proven to promote deep, meaningful, and lasting Tier 1 universal learning for all students.
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Research-Based Instructional Strategies That Work Quick Guide
In this reference guide based on The New CITW, you’ll learn the what, why, and how of 14 learning strategies that can dramatically improve student performance and close achievement gaps.
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Coaching for Best First Instruction
This quick guide describes key CITW instructional strategies along with insights and tips for educators on when to use the strategy, examples of what it looks like in the classroom, and suggested conversation starters for instructional coaches and teachers working together to improve use of the strategies.
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Breakthrough Teaching: Planning for Learning
Learn to shift from planning for teaching to planning for learning, for better student engagement and learning success. This 8-page reference guide gives teachers tips and insights on capturing students’ attention, sparking their motivation to learn, and helping them deepen their knowledge.
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Breakthrough Teaching: Assessing for Learning
This quick guide provides research-based practical guidance and insights to help teachers reflect on their instruction, make adjustments to their teaching, and engage their students in learning.
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Learning That Sticks: A Brain-Based Model for K-12 Instructional Design and Delivery
In Learning That Sticks, Bryan Goodwin and his coauthors unpack the cognitive science underlying research-supported learning strategies so you can sequence them into experiences that challenge, inspire, and engage your students. As a result, you’ll learn to teach with more intentionality—understanding not just what to do but also when and why to do it.
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Using Brain Science to Make Learning Stick Quick Reference Guide
Using Brain Science to Make Learning Stick provides classroom activities that are based in scientific research to help K–12 teachers plan learning experiences that mirror how students turn new information into memory and to make the entire process of learning more effective, engaging, and rewarding for all.
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Tools for Classroom Instruction That Works: Ready-to-Use Techniques for Increasing Student Achievement
This book provides 51 tools aligned to the 2nd edition of Classroom Instruction That Works that make it easy to implement the strategies across grade levels and content areas.
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