4 Teaching Techniques that Create Breakthrough Moments for Struggling Students
Struggling students often need innovative approaches to overcome learning challenges. This article explores breakthrough teaching techniques that can transform the educational experience for these learners. Drawing on insights from experts in the field, we'll delve into strategies such as step-by-step problem-solving, visual learning tools, metacognitive reflection, and reciprocal teaching for reading comprehension.
- Guide Students Through Step-by-Step Problem-Solving
- Use Interactive Tools for Visual Learning
- Encourage Metacognitive Reflection After Sessions
- Implement Reciprocal Teaching for Reading Comprehension
Guide Students Through Step-by-Step Problem-Solving
One teaching technique that consistently leads to breakthrough moments is guided problem-solving. Instead of giving students the full solution right away, our tutors walk them through the process step by step, asking questions that prompt them to think critically and make connections on their own. This shifts the focus from simply memorizing steps to actually understanding the reasoning behind the solution. For struggling students, that moment of realizing they can figure it out themselves is often a turning point.
We implement this by pacing lessons carefully and checking for understanding at each stage. Tutors encourage students to explain their thought process aloud, which makes it easier to identify gaps and clarify misconceptions before moving forward. Lesson notes also capture these moments of progress so students and parents can see the growth over time. By reinforcing the idea that mistakes are part of learning and progress is built step by step, students gain both confidence and independence in tackling challenges.
Use Interactive Tools for Visual Learning
Interactive visualization tools consistently help struggling students achieve breakthrough moments in complex subjects. I've witnessed this firsthand when working with an IB Chemistry student who was struggling with molecular concepts until we incorporated MolView, an interactive molecule builder that allowed real-time structure rotation. This tool transformed abstract concepts into tangible visualizations, dramatically improving the student's engagement and comprehension. In my tutoring sessions, I implement this approach by identifying appropriate visualization tools for specific concepts and guiding students through hands-on exploration that bridges the gap between theory and understanding.
Encourage Metacognitive Reflection After Sessions
Implementing brief metacognitive check-ins at the end of each session has consistently helped struggling students experience breakthroughs in their learning. I incorporate simple reflective questions like "What was hardest today?" and "What helped you remember that concept?" which takes just a minute but trains students to think critically about their own learning process. This approach helps students recognize patterns in their learning challenges and successes, ultimately giving them more agency in their educational journey. The most valuable insights often come from these short reflections, as students begin to understand not just what they're learning, but how they learn best.
Implement Reciprocal Teaching for Reading Comprehension
Reciprocal teaching is a structured, student-led strategy that focuses on four key reading comprehension skills and may be useful in tutoring sessions.
1. Predicting
2. Questioning
3. Clarifying
4. Summarizing
Students take turns leading small group discussions using these strategies while reading a shared text. It transforms passive reading into active engagement.
Why It Works for Struggling Readers:
• Builds confidence: Students feel empowered when they lead discussions.
• Improves metacognition: They learn to think about how they understand text.
• Encourages collaboration: Peer support reduces anxiety and increases motivation.
• Targets comprehension directly: Especially helpful for students who decode but don't understand.
How to Implement It in Tutoring Sessions
Here's a simple structure you can use in a one-on-one or small group setting:
• Choose a short, high-interest text (news articles, excerpts from novels, or even lyrics).
Model each strategy first:
• Predict: "What do you think this section will be about?"
• Question: "What questions do you have about this part?"
• Clarify: "Are there any confusing words or ideas?"
• Summarize: "Can you sum up what we just read?"
Assign roles or rotate them if in a group.
Use sentence starters to scaffold responses, especially for your English Language Learners:
• "I predict that..."
• "I'm confused about..."
• "A question I have is..."
• "The main idea is..."
Reflect together: Ask students how the strategy helped them understand better.
