Helping Kids Manage Their Time
November 32025
10 Signs Your Child’s Psychologist Is Highly Qualified and Works With Integrity
November 122025
Keeping students engaged is fundamental to teaching. Decades of research and experience makes it clear that engagement includes a reaction emotionallycognitivelyand behaviorally during the learning process.
At Springerwe utilize the I DoWe DoYou Do model to ensure all students master what they need to learnreduce anxiety and develop self-efficacy. This combined with a multi-sensory approach establishes a way for students to truly engage during classroom instruction.
Each part of the I DoWe DoYou Do model contains specific process and procedures. During the I Do portionteachers model lessons that activate prior understandinguse multiple types of representationsand teach using direct instruction (carefully planned instruction eliminating misinterpretations). The teacher scaffolds concepts (demonstrates the ideas)organizes informationand stimulates thinking with compare and contrast methods. I Do sets up the path for We Do.
The We Do step triggers student thinking by helping them encode (spellor hear sounds and translate those to written letters) and retrieve pertinent information. In turnthis creates independence for students. This step looks distinctly different as students use a variety of multi-sensory learning techniquesincluding visual cues (looking at objectspictures or words)auditory learning (listening)kinesthetic approach (hands-ontouchingmovingphysically doing)and tactile strategies (drawingbuildingor putting something together by trial and error.) While using these approachesstudents can use strategies to reference conceptsrecall informationand begin the problem-solving process. Additionallystudents can use “math talks” with the teacher and their peers for questioningexplainingand ownership of responsibility. Questioningasking about vocabularyand discussing the uncertainty of stepsalong with explaining their rationalecreate a learning environment that supports the three components of engagement (emotionalcognitiveand behavioral). What does the product of the We Do step look like? It is often seen in the use of dry-erase boardsguided notesstudent created strategiesconcept mapsstructured checklistsand quick writes to explain their process.
Lastlystudents are ready for the You Do stage of learning. This is the extremely important part that facilitates independent learning and is the result of the I Do and We Do process. During the You Do stepstudents can exhibit their understanding of the material. Evidence of learning can be seen in activities such as concept maps (wherehowwhenand why)small group workshort answers to why and how questionswritten math practiceand positive self-talk.
Taking advantage of the I DoWe DoYou Do model will have an impact on engagement in the classroom. The stages are specific enough that it helps students think critically and become independent learners.
Guest Blogger Diane Houghton is the Senior Director of Academics & Learning at Springer School and Center
