Using a cross-curricular perspective, this text explores a number of teacher-directed and student-centred instructional approaches for classroom use. Strengths and weaknesses in each approach are highlighted, and specific aspects of any approach that may cause or exacerbate learning difficulties are identified and discussed. In addition to basic academic skills of literacy and numeracy, the writer has extended his discussion of effective teaching methods into the subject domains of science, social studies, history, geography and environmental education. Attention is also given to classroom interactions that influence learning.