Making Learning Visible Strategies
Learning is often invisible—happening inside students’ minds where you can’t see it. Making learning visible helps both you and your students understand the thinking process, track progress, and identify areas needing support. These strategies create opportunities for students to externalize their thinking, reflect on their learning journey, and take ownership of their educational growth.
Learning Walls and Displays
- Learning Journey Displays: Show progression of understanding over time
- Success Criteria Posters: Visual reminders of what good work looks like
- Vocabulary Walls: Build throughout unit with student examples
- Question Boards: Student-generated questions that drive inquiry
Student Self-Assessment Tools
Learning Tracker
Topic: ________________
At the start I knew: ________________
Now I know: ________________
I can prove this by: ________________
My next learning goal: ________________
Understanding Scale
- 4: I can teach this to someone else
- 3: I understand and can do this independently
- 2: I understand but need some help
- 1: I’m just beginning to understand this
Thinking Routines
See-Think-Wonder
- What do you see?
- What do you think about what you see?
- What does it make you wonder?
Think-Pair-Square-Share
- Individual thinking time
- Partner discussion
- Share with another pair
- Whole class sharing
3-2-1 Bridge
- Before learning: 3 thoughts, 2 questions, 1 metaphor/analogy
- After learning: 3 thoughts, 2 questions, 1 metaphor/analogy
- Build bridges between before/after thinking
