To be considered a competent educator, there are almost 2000 strategies, concepts, and terms that you must know. However, since teachers wear so many hats, who has the time to learn them all? Don’t worry; we have you covered. In this series, we will discuss all the teaching and learning strategies, concepts, and terms that you need to know to be considered an effective educator. There are over 70 articles in this series, so pace yourself. We recommend reading one piece per weekday, which will allow you to complete the series in three to four months. We hope you enjoy it.
Click here to read all the articles in this series.
Multiage Classrooms Are a growing phenomenon in the United States. The process of managing the organization of classrooms by grade is challenging. The multiage classroom operates according to the following principles: First, students were included in the classroom for at least a two-year span in chronological age. Second, each student in the classroom would remain with the same teacher or teachers for at least two years, and often longer. With this model in place, teachers reported being able to perceive each student not as a member of a graded grouping but as an individual with multiple qualities and capabilities. There is no need to assess each child based solely on his or her level of development, with the graded standards and age-based expectations applied in that assessment context.
Multicultural Literacy The ability to understand and appreciate the parallels and differences between customs, values, and beliefs of your culture and a different culture.
Multidisciplinary Evaluation Assessment of a student by at least two professionals, using several evaluations. The assessment is used to determine if a child qualifies for special services.
Multidisciplinary Team A team that is comprised of members from many different disciplines who each conduct independent assessments.
Multiliteracies The ability to communicate in ways beyond the traditional modes of reading and writing, including in music, dance, visual art, drama, and digital technology.
Multiple Intelligences Refers to a theory proposed by educational psychologist Howard Gardner, suggesting that certain areas of specialized intelligence become more developed than others. Includes 10 distinct areas of intelligence: visual/spatial, mathematical/logical, musical/rhythmic, kinesthetic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalistic and existentialist.
Multiple Literacies Diverse literacies that are multidimensional and learned in different ways.
Multiple Measures The use or varied indicators and sources of evidence of student learning. This evidence is gathered at intermittent times, within and across subject areas.
Multiple-Choice Tests These tests are well known in the teaching field. They consist of several options (three to five), from which the student has to choose the correct answer. Usually, one of the answers is correct, and the rest are called “distracters,” because they may seem possible answers but are incorrect. It takes patience and deep knowledge of the subject to build intelligent questions and tricky answers that challenge students.
Multipotentiality The possibility and potential to do well in several different areas. This often makes it challenging to make just one or two choices from a multitude of possibilities.
Multisensory Structured Language Education An education strategy that leverages auditory, visual, and physical cues to assist students in learning a language.
Multi-Sensory Teaching Using a combination of the five senses to teach a concept. This helps learning become meaningful for a specific student. This makes it easier for the learner to interact with the text and literacy in powerful ways.
Musical Intelligence A student’s aptitude for discerning pitch, tone, and rhythm.
