LSV: The Principles of Learning in the RTI Classroom

Learners in our classrooms share the following characteristics:

Students come to the classroom with prior knowledge and experiences. It is the teacher who must activate this prior understanding by building upon students' background knowledge in order to promote new learning.

Students create deeper understandings by applying a strong factual and conceptual knowledge base to real-world contexts. Teachers must guide students to make meaningful connections by modeling their own thinking as well as by asking questions to guide higher-level thinking.

Students are aware of how they learn best and how to monitor and reflect on their learning. Teachers must provide opportunities for students to regulate their own learning, and they must dedicate time to giding students to create optimal learning habits. One way to accomplish this goal is by presenting information through multiple representations--visual, auditory, as well as through cooperative-learning activities. Teachers should also give students time to reflect on what they have learned through group discussions and written reflections.