Deepen Engagement with Questioning, Assessment, and Feedback
Student engagement doesn’t happen by chance—it’s the result of intentional instructional decisions. When teachers purposefully plan their questions, align formative assessments to clear learning goals, and provide timely, actionable feedback, students are more likely to stay engaged, build confidence, and experience success.
This professional learning highlights three powerful, research-based strategies:
Effective Questioning, Formative Assessment, and Effective Feedback.
These strategies not only foster a culture of thinking and reflection but also support students in taking ownership of their learning. When embedded into daily instruction, they work together to promote clarity, curiosity, and academic growth for all learners.
Key Takeaways
Ask purposeful questions aligned to learning goals and cognitive levels to spark curiosity and deeper thought.
Use a variety of question types and student response strategies that ensure every learner participates and engages in thinking.
Formative assessments provide valuable insights into student learning and guide real-time instructional decisions.
Provide clear, specific, and actionable feedback that students can use to improve their work and reflect on their progress.
Ongoing distributed summarizing strengthens comprehension and ensures accountability for learning.
Equip learners with strategies to reflect on feedback, self-assess, and make adjustments—creating a classroom culture focused on growth and ownership.
Let’s close the engagement gap by creating pathways that enrich and elevate teaching and empower students with the skills they need for academic success.
Professional Learning Options
At Your School
Schedule a day of Professional Learning at your school. Onsite training with one of our experts provides opportunities for educators to expand their knowledge, refine teaching techniques, and stay up-to-date with the latest curriculum and instruction innovations. By investing in professional learning, your school can cultivate a culture of continuous learning, enhance teacher effectiveness, and ultimately improve student outcomes.
At Our Training Center
Join us in Asheville, North Carolina, at the Learning-Focused Training Center. With seats limited to 22 attendees, you are guaranteed to have a great experience.
At Your Own Pace
Learning at your own pace allows you to tailor your professional learning journey focused on your unique goals and preferences. This option empowers you to set your own pace with the flexibility and autonomy to master new concepts and refine your skills.
Pathways to Student Engagment Series
Continue the Journey Toward Full Student Engagement
Pathways to Student Engagement is a three-part professional learning series designed to transform classroom engagement from passive compliance to active, empowered learning. Each part builds upon the last to create a comprehensive approach to student engagement.
Part 1 introduces foundational strategies—Distributed Summarization, Writing to Learn, and Collaborative Pairs—to spark thinking, motivation, and participation.
Part 2 deepens engagement through Effective Questioning, Formative Assessment, and Feedback, ensuring clarity, reflection, and responsive instruction.
Part 3 strengthens the start of every lesson with Activating Strategies and Vocabulary Instruction that ignite curiosity and build background knowledge.
Together, these sessions provide a powerful framework for instructional planning and delivery that engages every student—behaviorally, cognitively, and emotionally—every day.
