Explanation of Tools

This tool is outlines three powerful principles of practice:

• Repetition: Provide multiple opportunities for students to practice, reinforce, and expand their grasp of the targeted content. Practice can be teacher-directed, guided, or independent.
• Variation: Don't assign the same type of practice every time. Prevent boredom and encourage engagement by having students practice in different way (whole-class, groups, individual), using different types of tasks.
• Depth of Thought: Ensure that some tasks challenge students to think deeply, analytically, or originally about the content. Ensure tasks are aligned to the content and level of rigor of the standard being taught.

Examples and more information on how to use this tool may be found on pages 176-177 of Tools for Classroom Instruction That Works.